How to Dispose of Sanitary Pads

Last Updated: September 16, 2021

Sanitary pads or napkins are an important part of hygiene while you’re dealing with your period. If you’re not used to using pads, you may be wondering what to do with the used ones when you’re done with them. Fortunately, the procedure is usually pretty simple: just wrap up the pad and put it in a garbage bin. You can also buy special disposal bags to help prevent the spread of germs and odors.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Putting Your Pad in the Bathroom Garbage

1
Remove the used pad from your underwear and roll it up. When you’re ready to change your pad, carefully remove it from your underwear. Roll the pad up tightly and neatly, starting from one end and working your way to the other. Roll it up so that the soiled part is on the inside, and the adhesive part is on the outside.
- Rolling up your pad will make it easier to wrap and minimize the space it takes up in the garbage.
2
Wrap the pad in a piece of paper. Wrapping your pad will make it more sanitary and help keep odors contained. Use a piece of newspaper, toilet paper, or waste paper to carefully wrap your rolled-up pad.^{[1]
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- You can also use the wrapper from a fresh pad to wrap up your used pad. If the wrapper has an adhesive tab on it, use that to help keep the wrapped pad secure.
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3
Put the wrapped pad in the garbage can. Once the pad is wrapped, toss it in the bathroom garbage. If possible, use a garbage can or bin with a lid. This will help keep any odors from the pad contained.^{[2]
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- Never flush your pad, wrapper, or paper liner down the toilet. Doing so will clog the plumbing.
- Preferably, you should put the pad in a garbage can with a bag or liner. This will make it easier to dispose of the pads and other garbage when it’s time to take out the trash.
- Some public bathrooms have small trash cans or metal disposal bins in each stall where you can dispose of pads or tampons.
4
Wash your hands when you are done. Once you’ve thrown away the pad and finished up in the bathroom, wash your hands with soap and warm water. This will help prevent the spread of germs and rinse away any menstrual blood that may have gotten on your hands.
- It’s also important to wash your hands before changing your pad. This can prevent you from accidentally introducing unwanted germs into your genital area.^{[3]
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5
Take out the garbage bag with the used pad in it as soon as possible. If you allow used pads to sit in the garbage too long, they may start to smell bad or even attract bugs. If you’ve disposed of one or more pads in your own garbage can, take out the garbage as soon as you can and dispose of the bag in an outdoor trash can or dumpster.^{[4]
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- Tie up the garbage bag to keep the smell in and prevent the used pads from attracting bugs or other animals.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using a Special Disposal Bag

1
Purchase a disposal bag designed for feminine hygiene products. Check online or in your drug store for disposal bags designed for this purpose. You may be able to find them in the feminine hygiene section along with sanitary pads and tampons.
- Popular brands include Scensibles and Fab Little Bag. You can also use diaper disposal bags.
- Many of these products are biodegradable, making them more environmentally friendly than regular plastic bags.
- Some public bathrooms have dispensers that provide disposal bags.
2
Roll up the used pad after removing it from your underwear. When you’re ready to change your pad, take it out of your underwear and roll it up neatly. You will need to roll or fold the pad up enough so that it can easily fit inside your disposal bag.^{[5]
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- Depending on the sizes of the bag and the pad, you may be able to simply fold the pad in half rather than rolling it up completely.
3
Place the rolled-up pad in the disposal bag and seal the bag. Some disposal bags, such as Scensibles, come with handles or twist ties so that you can simply tie the bag shut. Others, such as the Fab Little Bag, have an adhesive strip for easy sealing.
- Check the instructions on the packaging if you’re not sure how to seal your disposal bag.
4
Put the sealed bag in the trash can. Once the bag is sealed, place it in a trash can. Preferably, you should use a can with a lid. Odors can escape even from a sealed bag if it is allowed to sit for too long, so take the garbage outside promptly if you’ve put the pad in your own garbage can.^{[6]
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- Do not flush the disposal bag down the toilet. Always place the bag in a garbage can or other appropriate disposal container.
5
Wash your hands when you’re done. After finishing up, wash your hands with warm, soapy water. If there’s no soap available, use hand sanitizer.
- Remember to wash your hands before changing your pad, too!^{[7]
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Warnings

Never dispose of a sanitary pad or tampon by flushing it down the toilet. This can clog the toilet and cause serious damage to the plumbing.^{[9]
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