If you use reusable san-pro

[Diddledumpling22]

Recently invested in some reusable pads after reading lots about them here. So far am on the fence and wondered what others think of them.

On one hand they are really comfy, environmentally friendly and I like knowing that I'll always have something in the cupboard rather than having to dash to the shop!

But I find that even the ones with wings tend to move about as they don't have the sticky bottom like disposables do. Also can't see how they'd work while you were out and about?! They are fine for home when they can be rinsed and chucked in the wash right away but how would you manage changes if you were at work or out of the house all day?

Going to persevere but just wondered what others thought?

I can only speak for the ones I use. They don’t move about. You do need tight fitting undies.

If I’m out I change as per usual and put it in my bag til I get home. I use either a disposable nappy bag (still have loads knocking about) or the wet and dry bag they came with.

Mine are from cheeky wipes. They make reusable nappies so I suppose already have a system for the nappies out and about. They also fold away and popper together which makes them easy to carry.

I use a cup, with reusable pads and pants just as back up (heavy flow!) so I don’t have to change them during the day. If I did, I would bring a plastic bag/wet bag with me, put them in that & take them home with me. feels easy for me as I was used to using cloth nappies.

Re: moving around, you could put a safety pin in? Underneath obviously!

Maybe I just need tighter fitting pants. The material on the bottom is quite shiny and slippy so it just feels like they move around and bunch up sometimes. They are from eco period, may try some from another site as I only have 3 at the moment.

I have some with a waterproof backing and they are terrible for moving about, I have some others with cotton back and they are fine with big pants. Also use period pants for lighter flow, which obv doesn't have this problem. Out and about I have a mini wash bag, fold the ends of the pad into the middle and secure with wings, so the dirty bit is sealed inside, then put in wash bag.

I have used cloth pads and a cup in the past, but I'm now a convert to Modibodi period pants, which cope much better with heavy bleeding than either of the others.

With cloth pads, the type I used could be folded up and closed with the fasteners and I would then put the used, folded ones in a waterproof pouch to take home and wash.

Try some period pants. I started with pads and still use them to double up, they're also handy to keep in my bag. But pants! Game changing. I'm using cheeky wipes period pants and they haven't let me down.
I wish they were a thing 20 years ago!

I agree that the pants are game changers! I bought them for my DD & they are all she uses.

I do have one pair of modi bodi pants but I tend to use them for sleeping in. I still haven't quite got my head around using them in the day! They don't quite feel thick enough even though they probably are. They are very comfy though, just like normal pants.

For the period pants users - do they last? I bought some giggle knickers a while back and they are all in shreds now. (And when I say a while back, it wasn't like 10 years ago or anything!)

It's a big outlay initially and I'm all for it but need some reassurance that they work and last.

I used to use them but don’t anymore. I used a mooncup too for a while. Never again!!

I found them all bulky and I was always aware of them which I hated. I used lots of different types and they all bunched up and moved.

I did like knowing I was never going run out because they were always in the house. And I liked that I wasn’t throwing out tampons and liners and the packaging every month.

But periods are unpleasant enough for me and I prioritised my comfort so have gone back to tampons and liners. I’m very happy I did. Initially I felt guilty about the waste but then I looked at the wider world and all he stuff men contribute to landfill and are never made to feel guilty about and decided I had nothing to feel guilty about.

I have a small wet bag I put used ones in and keep a couple of spare clean ones in my bag. They fold up into themselves quite well and kind of popper into a little parcel though so I could probably put it into my bag without the wet bag if I needed to. It’s not that different from carrying spare disposables. I don’t rinse and I don’t immediately wash - since they’re black anyway I don’t worry about stains. They just get put in with a regular dark wash every few days. I don’t use them on heavy days anyway, I prefer tampons for those, so they aren’t heavily soiled.

They’re a useful product that I use when it suits me but I’m not a purist, I still use disposable products as well. I personally haven’t found they move too much.

I’ve never had an issue with them moving about. Maybe you need to try different ones or different pants. Are your pants really thong like?

As for going out, you just carry a small wet bag. I have one about the size of a disposable pad and you carry that to the loo same as you would a disposable pad.

I use pads and the key really is good fitting pants to make them stop moving. Also use period pants and they’re great.
Changing wise, just like I would a disposable, fold and popper up and pop in a nappy bag, then wash when I get home.

I actually find I don’t need to change as much with reusable

I change once in the morning, once in the afternoon and once before bed.

I use bamboobarn and ecolily

Period pants. DD and I use them. DD finds she can just use one pair of heavy flow during the day, changes when she gets home. I use them alongside tampons as have annoyingly heavy periods at the moment.

I just wash them in with a dark wash.

Another vote for Modibodi period pants. I use them as back up with a tampon for the first two days, then on their own after that. I had some Thinx which didn’t last very long, but so far the Modibodis are holding up well.

I've used modibodi for 2 years and they still work but the material has thinned around the hips.

I use ModiBodi period pants, have found them a game changer, I’ve gone from dreading periods to not caring about them. It’s probably psychological but cramps seems milder too compared to tampons. I can use one pair all day and change at home but I also carry a clean pair with me in a small waterproof bag in case I do need to change halfway through the day. When changing them I rinse the dirty ones in the bath until the water runs clear, dry them on the bathroom rad and collect them in a wash bag, at the end of my period I just bung the wash bag into the machine.

Mine don't move, no leaks, nothing. Changing to reusable has been the best thing I did
I use these

https://www.etsy.com/shop/RagHagShop?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=843844608

Like others, I just use the bag that came with mine - fold inwards, popper shut and zip into the bag until I get home. I’ve looked at the pants, but are they not a hassle to change if you’re out and need a clean pair? As in having to remove bottom clothes? Or do they last long enough to not need to?

@40somethingJBJ if I'm leaving the house for a long period of time (chance would be a fine thing!) or when I used to work in the office, I'd use a reusable pad and period pants. Half way through the day I would take the pad off.
Since WFH, I've just been using pants and found that actually, they're totally fine.

I use period pants at the beginning and end when things aren't too heavy and they're great. I have the M&S ones. On the 3 heavy days I use tampons (I've yet to find a good organic/sustainable brand so currently just normal ones) with period pants for back up, and I find it makes things much more pleasant than relying on disposable pads/liners

Have used reusable pads alongside disposable tampons for years and I find them pretty good. Most of my pads have lasted over 15 years! I get the plastic free ones to help avoid thrush.

@PompomDahlia

I use period pants at the beginning and end when things aren't too heavy and they're great. I have the M&S ones. On the 3 heavy days I use tampons (I've yet to find a good organic/sustainable brand so currently just normal ones) with period pants for back up, and I find it makes things much more pleasant than relying on disposable pads/liners

Have you tried Natracare tampons?