Washable pee pads practicality?

I've got my puppy using a grass pad on our balcony for our non-walk potty breaks but want to switch to pee pads for a cheaper solution. I tried layering paper ones under the grass pad to transition/give him more room to do his business and quickly learned he just wants to eat them. So for that reason, and sustainability purposes, was wondering if anyone consistently uses washable pee pads instead? Do they make your washer gross? Do you store soiled ones somewhere and then wash a bunch at a time? Does your puppy then think all blankets are for potty? Etc.

If it matters, I'd say my six-month-old is 95% potty trained. He uses the bells at home to tell me, though doesn't know how to let me know otherwise (our last accident was at a friend's but near the door that led to outside). I think he is still sometimes caught off guard when #2 calls. (I also know he won't automatically know that pee pads are for potty and will require extra training for that.)