FabLittleBag reviews thread; find out what MNers think about the innovative tampon disposal bags NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

We asked 500 MNers (and 150-200 of their teenage daughters) to try FabLittleBag during their periods – this is the thread for their reviews, comments and feedback. Some testers were also teenage girls (daughters of MNers).

The team at FabLittleBag say – “our new bags use clever finger loops to make tampon disposal easy, discreet and hygienic. The biodegradable bags are opaque and seal closed. They provide confident disposal every time, anywhere. We believe they are the best solution to tampon disposal. Period.
They come in a handbag pack of 5 perfect for ensuring confident disposal when out and about, and a bathroom pack of 20 to keep at home next to your tampons. You top up your handbag pack from your bathroom pack as needs be”.

FabLittleBag’s are available now at Waitrose, Ocado and //www.fablittlebag.com – plus they will be available at Wholefoods from March. Bathroom Packs of 20 bags £2.99 and the re-fillable HandBag Pack £1.99 includes 5 bags for on the go use.

Questions for testers (if you and your DD took part please answer for her as well: together or separate posts)

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
Any problems with them?
Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
Would you continue to buy them?
Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
Any other thoughts?

Selected testers who add feedback as required will be entered into a prize draw where two winners will each win a £100 John Lewis voucher.

Thanks and good luck
MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

PS: see here for info on what FLB are doing as a DIRECT result of this feedback from MNers.

[Bonkerz]

Received our samples a few weeks ago so luckily have had a chance to use them!


How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?

Very simple. I usually wrap in tissue and dispose in the sanitary bin and these were as easy as that.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them

I used these in my handbag for when out and about. Easy to store and easy to use and as simple as wrapping in tissue to dispose of ;0)

Any problems with them?
The opening was quite small when using a larger absorption tampon.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?

Unfortunately not. I can see how they can be convenient but the price does not reflect the benefits to be honest.

Would you continue to buy them?
No I'm afraid not

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users? I might mention them if it was in conversation.

Any other thoughts? A great idea but not financially viable really.

[welshpolarbear]

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
I really liked them. Found them really easy to use and much better than nappy bags which are a fuss to open, or wrapping them in tissue.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them.
I used them at home. I have been home poorly though or otherwise would have used them out and about if needed to as well. Think these would be a great solution for out and about.

Any problems with them?
No.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
Yes, in that these are much easier.

Would you continue to buy them?
I really want to, but they are a bit expensive.

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
Yes.

Any other thoughts?
Perhaps consider lowering the price.

[KanyeWesticle]

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
Easy and convenient - I liked them. No need for bundling tampons in tissue or the rustly noise of nappy bags.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them.
I used them at work, in the office. They were small enough that I could put a bag in my pocket, and so not need to take my handbag to the loo. They really helped me feel confident, and encouraged me NOT to flush the tampons.

Any problems with them?
Yes - too small for my heaviest flow "super" days.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
Much easier, and I won't flush if I had these instead.

Would you continue to buy them?
I would like too, but they are very expensive for just cardboard.

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
Not at this price, unfortunately. Periods are expensive!

Any other thoughts?
Can you do a "no frills" version with cheaper materials and no gloss printing. Would the water companies subsidise?

[PurpleCrazyHorse]

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
Really good and useful. Nice thick plastic and secure sticky closure.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
I used them when away staying with friends as I didn't want to dispose in their bin without a bag.

Any problems with them?
None at all.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
Yes, they're very discrete to carry around and I'm confident they wouldn't leak.

Would you continue to buy them?
Depends on cost but I'd definitely buy them for particular events, like being on holiday

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
Yes, definitely.

Any other thoughts?
I like the sticky closure covering the full width. I feel it stops leaks and smells.

[MsMims]

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?

Really easy to use, convenient, nice design.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them

I used the bags both at home and once when visiting relatives. At home, we have a septic tank so definitely cannot flush tampons, and this made putting them in the bin a much more pleasant experience! I liked the way the bags were small and opaque so they didn't fill the bin with air the way that nappy bags do, and being opaque there was no worries about what other people using the bin might see. I'm not at all ashamed of my period, but I'd rather others didn't see my used sanitary products.

Any problems with them?

None, but I've seen they have quite a high price point which would deter me from using them every month.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?

Yes, it has made the experience better.

Would you continue to buy them?

As above, a bit too highly priced for every month but I would buy them for when travelling/ camping etc

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?

Yes

Any other thoughts?

I would also use a sanitary pad version if made available.

[Deedee75]

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
Great idea, easy to use and discrete if out and about and needing to dispose of tampons.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
I used them at home since I wasn't out needing to use them during my period.

Any problems with them?
Not personally, although if I were to have a heavier period it might be slightly more difficult to get the tampon in the bag without making any mess. Plus a different colour might be beneficial so that any mess that does end up on the outside is not so obvious.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
Yes, if I were in a public toilet that didn't have a bin, or someone's house where I wouldn't want to leave a tampon, I'd feel that it would be OK wrapped up without leaking, or anyone knowing what it was.

Would you continue to buy them?
Possibly not due to the cost

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
If they weren't so expensive, I'd be happy to recommend them.

Any other thoughts?
Fab idea if they weren't quite so costly. Plus although it's quite obvious the plastic needs removing to enable you to stick the top of the bag together, there's no mention of removing it in the instructions.

[sarahlouiseharding221]

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
easy to use and dispose of, small and easily hide-able

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
at work, at home visiting friends and family. during work it was ideal to use as we do not have a proper sanitary disposal bin but just a normal bin. so much cleaner/nicer way to dispose off. whilst visiting friends houses who didn't have bins it was so much nicer to put in my bag rather than one wrapped in tissue/bag!

Any problems with them?
only when peeling the tape cover off it broke so became a little problematic trying to pick the tape cover off

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
I'm definitely more aware now that these aren't to be flushed and should be binned

Would you continue to buy them?
price is a little steep to use religiously, but will definitely keep the odd packet in my bag for situations where no bins are available

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
definitely

Any other thoughts?
see if product could be made cheaper
creating a stronger tape cover to stop it snapping. then struggling to peel the rest off.

[WineOrSleep]

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?

I liked the idea and the waste aspect behind them, and they were easy enough to use- but I found the "one finger opening" actually quite fiddly to use

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
I used them out and about. They were small enough to be kept in my
Handbag and use ad hoc so I used them for disposal of tampons

Any problems with them?
I don't think the "one fingered opening" that was so applauded in the marketing was actually very useful- personally I opened them ready before I removed my Tampon

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
Yes in the sense that I will now bin then rather than flush

Would you continue to buy them?
Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
I wouldnt, no, simply because of he expense! It is shocking expensive for what is, after all just a brightly neon coloured nappy bag

[iemma321q]

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?

Found them relatively easy to use. Loved the one handed opening.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them

Used them at home.

Any problems with them?

No problems. However if I was out and about and had to carry the bag with a used tampon around due to lack of disposal opportunities I would be worried about it smelling.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?

Yes it has made me think about the impact of flushing them.

Would you continue to buy them?

Don't think so. They seem a little pricey for what they do.

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?

I would tell them about them.
Any other thoughts?

[Ntinyn]

Luckily I received mine just in time to test.

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
Quite simple to use one handed. Although maybe I'm a little cack handed as I sometimes found it hard to pop the tampon in cleanly but I think that is my own problem, not a fault of the bags.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
I used them at home (SAHM) to dispose of the tampon in the bin rather than flush.

Any problems with them?
No

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
It's really made me re think flushing tampons, especially if I was visiting friends.

Would you continue to buy them?
Unfortunately, at that price I will not for day to day purposes but would consider for sure for a holiday / stay away from home.

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
Yes

Any other thoughts?
The pocket to keep in the bathroom to refill is a good idea but it would be better if it was plain, dark and discreet for the bathroom.

[margaritasbythesea]

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
I liked how little space they took up and that the material was sturdy.
It took a little bit of working out how to close the properly. I thought it was a bit fiddly, especially with a larger absorbency of tampon.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them.
At work, where I am the only menstruating woman so feel a little shy of putting used tampons in the bin. I usually flush them but don't like to do so.

Any problems with them?
As said, a wee bit small.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
Out of the house, yes.
Would you continue to buy them?
For use outside of the house. I might buy some for use at home but probably couldn't justify the cost every month.
Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
If it happened to come up. I don't recall ever having had a conversation about tampons. I probably would to DD when she's at that age as a suggestion.

Any other thoughts?
A good idea and well produced. Whether it is good enough or cheap enough to change women's habits, I am not so sure.

[pukkapine]

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?

Nifty - I liked them. Really handy and convenient. Very clean to use.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them

Only needed to use them at home, but I do like the handbag packet and that's now in my handbag ready for next time

Any problems with them?

Not really. The loops could be slightly bigger as with one hand that would have been easier.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?

Yes! no rolling up in loo roll. I really liked them

Would you continue to buy them?

Probably, but only for out and about as they are quite expensive

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?

Yes

Any other thoughts?

Thanks for including me in the trial - great little product!

[hollinhurst84]

Questions for testers (if you and your DD took part please answer for her as well: together or separate posts)

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?

Really good idea and simple to use

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them

In hospital! My room had no sanitary bin and single sheets of loo roll so couldn't wrap
Also at work we have foot controlled bins. You can't use them until stood up. So you have to wrap tampon in loo roll and balance it somewhere
I used the bag for the used tampon, popped it on the side in the loo, then added applicator of new tampon, sealed and binned

Any problems with them?

I think a darker colour would be better

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?

Yes, I'm more aware of not flushing however a lot of people still aren't

Would you continue to buy them?

Possibly. I would like to keep them for out and about and at work but at home I'm happy to wrap in loo roll

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?

Yes at work I would, I've already mentioned we should have bags available


Any other thoughts

The price point is high for me. My period lasts 6-7 days so I could be using 28 bags and that's a conservative estimate!
Agree with poster above who suggested water company subsidising

[PurpleDaisies]

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
I really like them. The finger loops mean they are easy to use without any mess.
Where did you use them?
At home to dispose of used tampons in the bathroom bin. I had the handbag pack on my bag but no need to use it as yet!
Please describe how you used them
Any problems with them?
None.
Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons?
Yes.
How?
I'll be using disposal bags from now on rather than flushing.
Would you continue to buy them?
Maybe-they are too expensive at the moment and I'd probably use a cheaper product, even if it wasn't quite as good.
Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
Yes for quality but no for cost.
Any other thoughts?
For the price were lower I'd definitely buy these regularly.

[AdeleMcGilvray]

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?

I thought that they were very easy to use, hygienic and very convenient.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
Any problems with them?

I've used the bags now at home, at the zoo (awful facilities), at playgroup, my sisters home and my in-laws. They have been inordinately useful in all situations. Using the bags when at the zoo was a great comfort since their facilities were non-existent, I was able to hygienically stow the sealed tampon in my handbag until I was able to dispose of it at a later date. The same applied to playgroup where there are no bins in any of the toilets and my in-laws where the have no bathroom bin. Thus far I haven't encountered any problems with them at all.


Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons?

Yes.

How?

I used to roll them in toilet tissue and dispose of in the bin. This was always less than ideal as the tampons would eventually leak through the toilet tissue and become, frankly, gross!

Would you continue to buy them?

I would continue to buy them. Perhaps for use outside of the home initially although if the price was right I would use them at home too.


Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?

Yes. Most women I know refuse to flush their tampons and I think that like me, they would find these a better option.

Any other thoughts?

Perhaps sell these in a slightly larger size to accommodate women that wish to dispose of sanitary towels hygienically as the wrappers these come in are often open ended and come open almost immediately after you've sealed them.

[MaccaPaccaismyNemesis]

How did I find the bags generally?

I thought the concept was good but that it needed developing further in that if they were bigger they could hold sanitary towels which would be more useful. I also struggled not to end up covered in blood because the bags couldn't cope with a full super plus tampon (sorry for the TMI).

Where did I use them? At home and at work. They work well though I think the sealing strip is too far into the bag and wasn't clear that was how to deal it from the instructions. The one fingered thing was a good idea but personally I opened the bag and then held it open with the loops.

It was quite discreet but perhaps a less bright colour would be preferable.

Any problems with them?

As I said before I think a bigger bag would be more versatile and less prone to overflow!

Do I think it's changed how I dispose of tampons?

Yes, I had no idea you weren't supposed to flush them.

Would I continue to buy them?

For holidays yes, but they seem expensive. 5 days of an average period I could easily use 25 bags. Perhaps £1.49 for the handbag size and £2.49 for the refill seems more reasonable.

Would I recommend them?

If the price dropped and they were a little bigger yes.

Any other thoughts?

Thank you, this is a hidden problem and this is a good idea.

[asuwere]

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
Good idea and quite handy.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
Mainly in the house, but that's just coz I didn't happen to be anywhere else when I needed to change.

Any problems with them?
I wasn't a huge fan of the handbag pack. It was a bit too easy to pull out more than 1 and then was difficult to push the rest back in as they just fit. Also, not totally discreet when the pack says "tampon disposal" on it :)

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
No, still dispose the same way.

Would you continue to buy them?
No, far too expensive. To be honest, I will be going back to using mooncup soon (just hadn't got round to ordering new one since having baby)

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
No, due to the price.

Any other thoughts?
thanks for letting me trial them! :)

[BabyLinthwaite]

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally? I thought it was a brilliant neat idea.

Where did you use them? Both at home and while out shopping Please describe how you used them. I used them a lot because I was out every day last week. My monthlies lasted 5 days so they came in handy
Any problems with them? The super+ during my heavy time was too big to fit in the bag.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? Yes How? Because I looked forward to using them because it's something different and I binned them instead of flushing or causing mess using a sanirty disposal bin

Would you continue to buy them? No because they are over priced.

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users? I wouldn't recommend them as such but I would mention them during conversation to my lady friends
Any other thoughts? I think they should come in packs inside all tampon boxes and be part of the pack in general

[TopsysMum]

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
Really easy, just the right size to get rid of everything!

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
I used them at home (at last a discreet way to get rid of tampons and their gubbins!) and on holiday. Really, really helpful on hols!

Any problems with them?
Sometimes the strip is very static so you find them stuck to you rather than in the bin!

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? Yes

How?
I now dispose of all of it in the bin as it feels a hygienic way to dispose of them, there's no way into that bag once sealed ;I tried after forgetting to put the wrapper in!)

Would you continue to buy them?
Yes

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
Yes

Any other thoughts?
Finally an easy, hygienic way to dispose of tampons without any awkward questions!

[Mumelie]

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
Very easy and a great disposal idea.
Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
I use them in our downstairs toilet - it has a macerator so nothing is to be flushed. I also took the case out in m handbag and found this very useful when using a public toilet with no bin!
Any problems with them?
I wasn't keen on the strip to be removed to fasten the bag back up - a 2 handed job
Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
No as I don't tend to flush anyway.
Would you continue to buy them?
Yes for my handbag. No for at home - will stick to biodegradable dog poo bags!
Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
Yes I would
Any other thoughts?
Would be nice if they were a bit bigger to but other sanitary products in.

[SavoyCabbage]

• 
  

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?*
They were easy to use. I liked them.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
I used them at work and at home. I kept them in the bag I keep my tampons.

Any problems with them?
I couldn't be doing with the stiff plastic handbag pack. It seemed unnecessary.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
I've always thrown them in the bin so that hasn't changed. It did enable me to not have to use the tampon bin in public toilets as I could put it in the fab bag and take it home instead.

Would you continue to buy them?
Probably not because of the price.

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
I would if they presented me with a problem of having difficulty disposing of tampons. Only if they were quite well off though!

Any other thoughts?
They are better than using nappy bags as they don't rustle.


These are my dd's answers



How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
Good. They were easy to use.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
I used them at school.

Any problems with them?
No. I thought they might make a noise but they didn't.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
It meant that I didn't have to go to a toilet aT school with a bin. Not all of them have bins.

Would you continue to buy them?
Yes

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
No. It would be weird.

Any other thoughts?
You could make them with different patterns on.

[VilootShesCute]

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
Easy as pie.
Where did you use them?
At home and work.
Please describe how you used them
Any problems with them?
Used them for tampons as instructed. No problems.
Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
Yes I will bin them from now on after years of thinking it was okay to flush. Ooops.
Would you continue to buy them?
Unfortunately just too expensive as I go through too many tampons per period.
Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
Yes I would.
Any other thoughts?
Nope. Thank you for letting me try them I thought they were indeed fab. Sigh.

[AliBingo]

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?

They were easy to use and I found them very handy to have them in my bag just in case I found myself somewhere I couldn't easikybdispose of a tampon.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them.

I used them as back up when out and about. Actually used at a friend's house and in a public toilet cubicle where there was no bin. I also tried using them at home in my own bathroom rather than my usual popins sanitary bags.

Any problems with them?

I found the sticky strip would come undone, it didn't seem secure enough for my liking on the occasion when I brought my tampon home to dispose of.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?

Yes will definitely make the effort to bin not flush in future, and having these bags available will help with this in some situations.

Would you continue to buy them?

Probably not as I thought they were quite expensive. Would buy them if they were on offer.

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?

Yes definitely.

Any other thoughts?

Interesting innovative and nicely designed new product.

[Behooven]

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?

Quite straightforward, just having to remember to use it!

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them

Mostly at work so use and put it in the sanitary bin.

Any problems with them?
Like a pp said, the opening is a bit small for the larger size tampon

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?

Yes, I used to flush them all the time, I'll use these in the office because there's a proper bin for them.

Would you continue to buy them?
I won't rule them out, depends on the price though

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
If it was discussed yes

Any other thoughts? Not really.