What are reusable sanitary pads made of?
Reusable sanitary pads can be made out of a variety of fabrics, including bamboo, cotton, synthetic fabrics and even recycled bottles or other materials. If you have any allergies, or are prone to irritation ‘down there,’ check exactly what the pad is made from before purchasing.
How do you keep reusable sanitary pads from smelling?
Rinsing or soaking your cloth pads before washing is the best way to prevent smells.
However if you soak them for too long, or store them in a damp place, you may notice that a musty smell develops. Some pad users swear by adding a little lemon juice or vinegar to a warm wash to get rid of any unwelcome odours.
But smelly discharge can also be a sign of bacterial vaginosis or another infection so, if in doubt, get yourself checked out by a doctor.
How often should you change reusable pads?
You should change reusable pads as frequently as disposables, so roughly every four to eight hours. But this depends on how heavy your period is. If you bleed heavily, you’ll need to change them more frequently.
If you treat your reusable sanitary pads with care, they can last from five to 10 years before they need to be replaced.
How many reusable sanitary pads do you need?
This figure varies from person to person and the answer depends on the length or your cycle, how heavy your flow is and how your flow varies across the month. Women with short and light cycles may only need six daytime reusable pads and four or five overnight reusable pads, while women with a longer, heavier period may need up to 15 days pads and seven overnight pads.
If you’re currently using disposable pads and looking to make the switch to this eco-friendly alternative, try to keep a note of the number you use each month to give you some idea of how many reusables you’ll need to buy.
How do you deep clean a reusable pad?
Cleaning instructions vary from pad to pad. Most manufacturers recommend soaking or rinsing the reusable pad with cold water before putting it in the washing machine.
Some pads can be washed at 30 degrees, while others can take up to 60. You should avoid using fabric softener as this can affect the absorbency of your pads over time and shorten their lifespan. Ideally you should leave your pads to air dry, although some can be tumble dried. Always follow the washing instructions to help maintain the life of your pad.
Which is the best reusable sanitary pad?
Mumsnetters love the Bloom & Nora Maxi Nora Reusable Sanitary Pad, making it the go-to menstrual product for heavy flow days. Leak and odour-proof, Bloom & Nora pads are built to last, but are delicate enough to protect all your sensitive bits.
How we chose our recommendations
We scoured Mumsnet forums to find out which reusable sanitary pads our users rate highly - and which ones they weren’t impressed by.
We also consulted consumer watchdogs and took note of what they looked for in reusable sanitary pads and which they were recommending to their readers.
Finally, we collated all that information and then looked at other online reviews to see which reusable sanitary pads had received the best recommendations.
Why you should trust us
We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.
Main image credit: Eco Lily