Cloth pad edges fray. Here's how to stop it.

Yes, they will fray over time — especially if you’re washing them in a machine or using them heavily. But you can slow it down a lot with a few easy tricks.

The main culprit is friction. Inside a washing machine, edges rub against everything else. Over time, the threads loosen and start pulling away. The fix is to finish the edges properly before you even cut the fabric. A serger or overlock stitch is best. If you don’t have one, a zigzag stitch with a short length works almost as well. You can also bind the edges with bias tape or a satin stitch.

For existing pads, wash them inside a mesh lingerie bag. That keeps the edges from catching on zippers or denim. Air dry them if you can — the dryer’s heat and tumbling accelerate fraying. If you must machine dry, use a low heat setting.

Thread choice matters too. Polyester or cotton-wrapped polyester thread holds up better than pure cotton. And don’t skimp on seam allowance — leave at least half an inch from the edge of the pad to the seam.

A little prep upfront saves you from picking fraying threads out of your laundry months later.