Spoiler: it’s way longer than the relationship you had with your high school crush.

When you invest in HyPs reusable pads or Indiewear incontinence pads, you’re not just buying a one-and-done product—you’re building a long-term relationship with some very loyal fabric friends.

The Numbers

With proper care (think: wash, dry, love, repeat), most reusable pads can last anywhere from 3-5 years. But here's the thing - at Lil Helper, we only released our HyPs Menstrual Pads at the end of 2020, and Indiewear Incontinence Pads at the end of 2024. So we can say with confidence that our pads can last AT LEAST 5 years - because many customers are still using those original HyPs today. We also know that our cloth diapers last up to 10 years, and the same stash of diapers has been used by families across multiple siblings. We put the same awesome, durable materials and manufacturing into our pads. So we venture to guess that our pads will last you 5 - 10 years. That’s thousands of wears and washes.

What Affects Lifespan?

• Washing Habits – Cold water rinse + regular machine wash = happy pads. Skip the bleach and fabric softener.

• Drying Choices – Line drying is gentler, but low tumble is fine. Basically: don’t fry them.

• Frequency of Use – Your everyday liner will retire sooner than a once-a-month overnight pad (and honestly, hasn’t it earned it?).

Signs It’s Time to Say Goodbye

• The absorbent core feels thinner.

• The waterproof backing isn’t quite as waterproof.

• They’re just not sparking joy anymore.

Even then, many people repurpose old pads as cleaning cloths—because HyPs are nothing if not hardworking.

The Bottom Line

One set of reusables can replace hundreds, even thousands of disposables. That’s years of leak protection, comfort, and zero 3 a.m. drugstore runs.

Reusable pads don’t just last—they stick with you through all of life’s messy moments. Now that’s a commitment worth celebrating.