Reusable Sanitary Towels

[excelledyourself]

Does anyone use these? How reliable are they? How many did you need to buy?

Example: www.notonthehighstreet.com/bumblebeez/product/bee-haven-eco-friendly-washable-sanitary-pad?referredBy=search

I like the idea, for eco friendliness, but I'm not sure how practical they are and would be quite expensive to start with, to buy enough. I imagine they still need to be changed regularly throughout the day?

I know there are also pants available, but I can't get on board with that idea at all.

Thanks.

I use them overnight with a mooncup and when I want a break from using it. I have these ones (link) and find them more reliable than the Always ones I used to use. They don't smell and they absorb better so I feel dry even on my heaviest day. If I'm using them without the mooncup then I usually need 2 during the day and 1 overnight. I've got a little wet bag for storing the used one until I get home and a bigger bag for the bathroom so I can shove them all in the wash.

I have a set that has 2 heavy pads, 4 medium and 4 light ones. I love them, they are very absorbent. I have WUKA period pants to wear at night, although the 'heavy' pads were also fine for overnight. To be honest I prefer the pants now though, they are so comfy.

I have some cheapy ones from eBay. Only started using them last month but they are so much more comfortable than disposables. I didn't have any problems with leaking either

Choosing a brand is like doing a slalom to swerve the ones that refuse to refer to women as women. A lot of TRA-addled obfuscating language going on.

They are comfy but smetimes mine spin around. Id prefer if they poppered onto thw underwear themselves..much more movement with them than disposable ones. They are much more absorbant than disposables though. so fine if at home watching tv, not so much if you are playing tennis or jogging.

I've used reusables for years, I like the imse vimse brand best - I've got six, but eight would probably work better and mean I don't have to wash them in the middle of my period.
I bought some pants (cheeky pants) last year after umming and ahhing about them for ages and I love them - much more comfortable to wear than pads. Wish I'd bought them years ago! The only problem with them is that they take ages to dry - I'm quite wary of tumble drying them or putting them on a hot radiator.

I also have cheapy ebay ones. If you spend a little time looking you can find decently sized (ie not liner) ones for £10 for 5. I've used them for years with no quality problems at all, in spite of the much lower price.

I normally use a mooncup and the pads as backup on very heavy days, and pads alone for any early/end of spotting when a cup isn't comfortable. I had to use a disposable a while back as I'd forgotten to replace my energency reusables in my handbag, it felt awful in comparison!

I also found them absolutely invaluable for heavy miscarriage and post miscarriage bleeding when I couldn't use my mooncup. Not only did they cope with the flow, but the soft fleece and colourful backings were somehow much more comforting than plasticy disposables when life felt crappy enough.

I'd start off working out what you like. What length etc works best for you so you have a rough idea of what are looking for.

Earthwise girls has a mixed bundle where you can try 3 or 4 different brands and see what you like best.

Personally I like tcs eco and honor your flow best. You do need quite tight fitting underwear though. Especially with anything that has a PUL backing as they can move slightly. Fleece backing doesn't move. You can get some with a hidden pul layer inside if you'd prefer.

Lady days are good too.

Primark do some great pants that are a full brief style in really stretchy fabric, that are brilliant for wearing with cloth pads, they really hold them in place.

Thanks everyone. Far more options than I realised! I'll get researching.