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?

[PatsyAndEddy]

A certain style of parenting?

By using nappies?

Eh?

[Beehatch]

I have no problems with using washable San pro, which I do to back up my mooncup. It is comfortable, cheap, isn't perfumed and as a bonus is more environmentally friendly.

The thought of entombing my nethers in perfumed, itchy, hot plastic - not to mention the hair wrenching sticky wings - makes me positively wince.

[ANormalOne]

I use cloth because it's better for DD's skin, there's no nasty chemicals in them, I can sell them on once she's done with them, they cost less in the long run to use, they don't take up tons of room in my bin, they keep her cooler in summer and I hate the smell of sposies.

I don't know one person who uses cloth who does it to 'fit into a certain style of parenting'.

[MyHumpsMyLovelyBabyBumps]

how is it cleaner while stuck up your fanjo?

[K8Middleton]

We're supposed to adopt a parenting style?!

[HoneyDragon]

I use a mooncup. Before mooncup came out I had to use cloth towels as I react badly to disposable towels and tampons.

Tbf towels have improved in recent years but I find they feel dirty and unhygienic compared to disposable towels.

[IneedAsockamnesty]

To the poster upthread who wanted to try reusables try here..

luxurymoon.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=3

I would advise starting off with only 4 just to see how you get on and then building up more as and when you feel like it.

[BergholtStuttleyJohnson]

Yabu. I use cloth pads. Far less revolting than tonnes of soiled plastic pads sitting in a landfill somewhere and more comfortable too.

[cantspel]

wow over £10 for a bit of pretty fabric and wadding all in the name of being green.

I bet the loo roll you use each day has a lot more environmental impact than a properly disposed of tampon

[FairyThunderthighs]

Sockreturningpixie thanks! We use cloth for our son too so I'll just throw them in with the nappies. Quite excited now!

[Alwayscheerful]

I cant possibly imagine anyone would leave one in the washing basket for a week! surely they are rinsed out immediately at home and washed on the next hot wash in the machine? FWIW it must be preferable to filling landfil with used disposables.

[Alwayscheerful]

www.jamsponge.co.uk/

[WafflyVersatile]

I don't have these, but my periods have always been very light and I mostly don't bother with anything at all so I effectively do the same by washing my pants.

[kelda]

10 pounds? In the link they are half that price.

[MyHumpsMyLovelyBabyBumps]

Also if you rinse pretty quickly its better than letting them stink out your bin surely? Same as cloth nappies, they stink less

[MyHumpsMyLovelyBabyBumps]

@waffly

[WafflyVersatile]

sorry, don't get the hump, humps.

[cantspel]

Taking sea sponge from the ocean cannot be environmentaly friendly.

[cantspel]

luxurymoon.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=3_186_235

£9 each

Didn't look at the smaller ones as they would be no good for me

[maja00]

I use a mooncup personally, but would choose cloth over plastic sanitary towels.

Same as choosing cloth nappies over plastic ones - nicer against the baby's skin and cheaper.

[SpecialAgentTattooedQueen]

I have very sensitive skin. I use cloth pads and cloth nappies for DC... I didn't realise it was ever considered anything other than 'your body/kids, your choice' until MN.

I'm not rank, I swear! Just sensitive skin and cloth is easier for nappy changes in my family. I'm not trying to fit into a parenting lifestyle... In fact most of what you'd associate with cloth is the sort of parenting I just wouldn't do!

[KatieScarlett2833]

I'm another one who uses nothing. My periods are so light I can dispose while on the loo for a pee, no leakage ever.

[Bogeyface]

I would use cloth but my flow is so heavy I have to wear super plus tampons and a pad, and change them every half hour to an hour on the first 2 days. It just wouldnt be feasible to change that often if I was out and about with cloth, I would have to carry a shopping bag just for my sanpro.

[Dahlen]

I have to admit to being surprised that people used reusable sanitary products as well, but only because like many others out there I'd been fooled by the manufacturer's into thinking it was a choice between towels and tampons only. Once you think about it, reusables make quite a lot of sense.

To balance ecofriendliness with cost and ease of use, I much prefer my mooncup though.

[pigsDOfly]

Ok never heard of free bleeding. How can that work? I'd be terrified to sit down. Surely it gets on your clothes unless your flow is really light and/or you're wearing really big granny knickers?

Someone please explain this to me.