Can someone talk to me about reusable sanitary towels?

[m0therofdragons]

I’ve always been wary as I did not get on with reusable nappies (terrible happy rash to the point of bleeding and seemed wet within 30 mins or less. I just couldn’t change dtds every 30 mins). Anyway, I’ve now decided I want to try reusable towels. I currently wear a tampon plus towels as I’m a very heavy bleeder so I could easily introduce reusable towels for flooding rather than ones full of plastic.

I began researching and I’m so confused! I like the idea of the pad being black but what’s the difference between charcoal and bamboo? Can anyone recommend a make? There’s so many and I’ve no idea which are best? Feeling a little overwhelmed and don’t want to spend money if i choose rubbish ones! Help please

I think the bamboo/ charcoal news are just a bit gimmicky. Best to just go for cotton, soft comfy and easy to wash.
Mine are home made, but I did buy some for someone else and they were from imse vimse

I really don't like charcoal - it's just microfibre I believe. I really didn't like the cheeky wipes pads. My favourites are minivivi - amazingly absorbent but thin and I like moongazy cloth because she uses a cord backing so they don't move around. Quite an investment though at about £10 a pad.

Would also recommend a menstrual cup.

ModiBodi period underwear are amazing!

I recommend the period pants. I also use them mainly for overflow and they are brilliant. Also an investment though.

Wearemout pads are SO comfy.

Oooo @bellagogosdead you made your own? Could I ask what fabric you used and did you have a pattern? I have a mountain of old bath towels and washable nappies that I wanted to turn into washable pads. I tried one and it was rubbish! Any tips? Thanks

I've been using these since September and like them. www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B088CZ373L?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title&tag=mumsnetforu03-21

The largest size is massive (and I find it a bit bulky) but they absorb loads and have washed really well. You do need secure pants though because they can move around a bit.

I use ecofemme which are great because they are also a charity. I've had them for about 2 years now, they're great. Love them.

Pen for scale

I love the bamboo with a hidden layer of pul. All of mine are handmade not imported. I tried charcoal nappies from China for my daughter and they were crap compared to handmade ones so haven’t tried imported pads.

@WhatWouldPhyllisCraneDo

Oooo *@bellagogosdead* you made your own? Could I ask what fabric you used and did you have a pattern? I have a mountain of old bath towels and washable nappies that I wanted to turn into washable pads. I tried one and it was rubbish! Any tips? Thanks

There is a great Facebook group that offers advice. m.facebook.com/groups/327334840990217?group_view_referrer=search She has her own patterns sometimes for free and sometimes for a small charge. I made our pads using zorb, cotton flannel and PUL backed micro fibre fleece. My teenager prefers them because they have never leaked ever and she was having problems with flooding before I made them.

Thanks @MrsPnut I don't do Facebook sadly so can't see the group. I will have to Google zorb as I've never heard of that. I've got cotton, towel, pul, micro fibre fleece, bamboo nappies, and poly cotton. Plus cam snaps. I think I was worrying to much about how they look. Which is rather pointless

I use these ones
They work better with some pants over others but I guess the same could be said for normal pads
I have very very heavy periods and they are very comfy comparing to disposables
I generally use the regular ones but have a couple of the heavy ones which are a little bulky but ok at night.

Sorry link https://www.ethicalsuperstore.com/products/imsevimse/imsevimse-black-reusable-sanitary-pads-regularar---pack-of-3/

I use a mooncup with reusable panty liners. I just got the cheapest ones I could find on ebay and they've been fine - no leaks.

I've been using cheeky wipes pads but noting these suggestions with interests, as the last couple of periods I've had, I have also had uncomfortable rashes at the tops of my legs! Would be up for making my own too.

I've also switched to DAME tampons - it's organic cotton tampons, with a reusable applicator so better for the environment and they do a subscription for tampons!

this looks like the pattern I used- it was 10 plus years ago. If I was making more I would leave a gap in the seams rather than putting a slit in the middle. Not that I ever found they leak through at that point, but it just seems like it would.
I mostly used old tshirts and flannelette for the top layer, old towels and cotton mix baby blankets for the middle. old jeans and polo shirts for the bottom layer. I didn't bother with a waterproof layer.

I’ve ordered some to try out. I ended up using this company purely because I liked the name (reviews were good too). Not sure re pants as they’re pricey and I’m picky on style plus trying to lose weight but dd might like them.

www.bloomandnora.com/