To be astounded that women use reusable cloth pads when on their period

[jeremytampaxman]

I had no idea that people did this - found out courtesy of a thread on another forum.

Okay, I gather that it's supposed to be more environmentally friendly than using tampons or sanitary towels (although surely there is energy involved in washing them)...but using & washing out pieces of rag in 2013? Seriously?!

I know it's an individual's choice, I get that. But AIBU to be just astounded by that choice?

[puds11isNAUGHTYnotNAICE]

Personally I couldn't give a fuck how other people deal with their periods. I have more important things to think about.

[Viviennemary]

I wouldn't personally choose to use these as I didn't choose to use cloth nappies. But I accept it is probably better for the environment. Mooncups sound dreadful messy things. I'd never consider using one.

[Justforlaughs]

I didn't even know that you could get disposable sanitary pads in 2013 , I'm going to have a look as I think they sound a great idea. I didn't get along with the mooncup but these could be a good alternative.

[Justforlaughs]

OMG, they even make cloth tampons! I am really that I had no idea that they did these!

[ZingWidge]

justfor

really? how does that work?
hmmm, I'm not sure about something not sterile being inside for hours.

yes, I know a penis isn't sterile either, but neither it is there for hours!

[fandoobalawoozy]

As far as I know tampons are not sterile.

[MinimalistMommi]

Does anyone know where I can buy organic cotton reusable pads?

[YummyYummyYum]

I don't see any problem as long as they are being washed properly, in the old days women had to do that. In fact, my mother taught me how to do them in case I did not have money to buy disposable.

[Justforlaughs]

Google it minimalist, I just did, there's loads of companies out there

[Shitsinger]

"Mooncups sound dreadfully messy things"

Try one - far cleaner, nicer and more convenient than tampons.

[CakesAreNotTheAnswer]

omg. af cane in unexpectedly early whilst staying at family's and I had to borrow some disposable sanpro. ugh ugh ugh. is like dealing with a massacre and soooo uncomfortable and sweaty. tampon just vile and tripled my cramps. remembered why I like mooncup or cloth if mooncup not a possibility.

NEVER AGAIN.

(because this is one of the only places I can rant about such things. Even my sister gets very when I 'go all hippyish' on her)

[Shitsinger]

Minimalist I have Minki fleece for the winter and Imse Vimse Organic cotton ones for the summer. Easy to find if you google.

OMG am a genius- Seasonal sanpro ,bet always haven't thought of that !

[AnnieLobeseder]

Thanks for this thread all, I've just had my coil out so sadly am back to having periods after 6 lovely menstrual-free years.

My mooncup has been dug out and dusted off, but I have a very light flow for a day or two at the end and have always used eco disposable panty liners before. But now I've ordered some reusables and am very excited about them! I did use cloth nappies for both DDs so I was aware of them from nappy websites and had toyed with the idea before. Now is the time!

[MinimalistMommi]

shit do the Imse Vimse ones come without the leak proof lining? I was after ones that were 100% natural but really liked the look of them.

[MinimalistMommi]

I'm really excited about using them. Disposable ones are sweaty.

[Shitsinger]

I think the pantyliner ones do but if you are someone with reasonably heavy periods I cant imagine them without - it would leak straight through.
They are still much less claggy than disposables.

[DoubleLifeIsALifeHalved]

I just bought some inspired by this thread... Can't wait for them to arrive! :)

[Shitsinger]

Double get an old container(with a lid) and some salt to give them a good soak in cold water before washing.

[Justforlaughs]

Bit icky I know, but does anyone know how absorbent they are? I need to use a superplus tampon with a night time pad, and still need to change every hour for the first 2 days. Would these cope?

[MinimalistMommi]

double what brand did you buy?

[usuallyright]

Leo Hickman in the Guardian debunked that one usuallyright


I've just read that. I was expecting a convincing piece of journalism which might alter my opinion.
I feel exactly the same.
And certainly when I was using cloth nappies, the washing machine was on all the time. To the extent that it died and we had to buy a new one.

[chezchaos]

Justforlaughs I use night pads for my really heavy days - I change every two hours and they're still fine with no leaks. Why don't you buy a couple and see how you get on before committing to a full set.

[lifesgreatquestions]

It was a MN thread that inspired me to buy mine several months back. I never liked tampons but they were the easiest thing to use. But when I say easy, sometimes I was too dry and inserting it was painful, at other times it would suddenly become full at an inopportune moment, and alternatively you know you can't take one out if it's not wet enough, all awful painful moments. Pads were noisy to wear, noisy to put on and noisy to remove as well as being smelly, so not an option. These cloth pads are wonderful. I don't feel it because it's cloth. They contain everything and they don't smell. I rinse them each night and then put on a stain remover and put them through a quick 30 minute wash so I never have a collection of dirty ones in the house. I bought 6 and this usually sees me through though at some point I will buy some more. I probably would have been embarrassed to do this if my OH weren't such a feminist, he really supported the change and if I go to bed without taking the pad out of the machine he will hang it up for me. I am not particularly eco friendly, a hippy or anything counter culture. I haven't told my friends as I assume they'd be as shocked as I would have been, and perhaps as judgemental as others out there. To each her own!

[DoubleLifeIsALifeHalved]

Gladrags - without much research as were easy to buy but now worried I've not bought the best brand...

[Shitsinger]

Its a bit trial and error Double
I have some I prefer over others and only buy 3 or so of a new brand.
What did you get ?