Pantiliners for comfort on clean days

The purpose of wearing white underwear during the seven clean days is to confirm the absence of bleeding. If a stain larger than a gris (the size of a US dime or Israeli shekel) is found on white underwear, it invalidates the clean days. According to many halachic authorities, stains found on pantiliners do not meet the halachic criteria for ketamim (stains), and do not invalidate the clean days, so that wearing a pantiliner is contrary to the purpose of wearing white during the clean days. Furthermore, there are various opinions among halachic authorities regarding what to do if a stain is found on a pantiliner during the clean days. Therefore, it is preferable to avoid using disposable pantiliners during the seven clean days.

In case of great need (e.g., a woman who experiences constant staining and has difficulty completing the seven clean days), a posek may permit pantiliners during the clean days.

Some women find that wearing two pairs of underwear helps absorb any extra moisture from discharge. Alternatively, you could wear a reusable white cotton pantiliner, since stains found on these pantiliners would have the same status as stains found on white underwear. These pantiliners are available in undyed or white cotton (e.g., at www.gladrags.com or www.lunapads.com, or in Israel at www.cottna.co.il).

If neither of these suggestions solve your discomfort, it would be permissible to wear white disposable pantiliners during the clean days. Before doing this, discuss with your rabbi what to do if a stain is found on a pantiliner, or write back to us asking for a specific halachic ruling on this question.