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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder why more people don't use cloth sanitary pads?

596 replies

Bex107 · 03/12/2016 10:57

They have changed my life, and I'm so sad I didn't discover them sooner! When my periods came waltzing back just three months after DS arrived I couldn't bear the thought of tampons or plasticky towels, but I couldn't find anyone I knew who'd used cloth. They are bloody (!) wonderful, if you're considering it give them a go - I wish I'd had someone to tell me that!

OP posts:
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8
pklme · 04/12/2016 19:22

Sara, the ones I use have a black fleece top, thin bamboo pad inside, and a bright satiny back. The fleece side is next to the skin, and does not stain. It is thicker than an always ultra thin, but much thinner than an old style pad. It stays in place much better than the sticky back ones, doesn't bunch etc.

Olives106 · 04/12/2016 19:23

There's no belt system, they just have wings (like a disposable!) that attach with a popper under the crotch of your knickers.

They absorb more than disposables and don't feel wet or uncomfortable, especially if you order a minkee or fleece outer - it wicks the blood away into the absorbent core of the towel. Then there is usually a waterproof layer (PUL) to ensure against leaks. This is how fairy hammocks work, anyway, and I think most others are similar.

On stains: to be perfectly honest some of my lighter coloured pads do have a little visible staining, really minimal. I could probably get rid of it with vanish or similar but it doesn't bother me enough. I now try and buy darker coloured pads and they simply don't show any stains at all. Cold rinse in the machine then normal wash with bio powder means they come out clean.

Randonneur · 04/12/2016 19:26

What if you have very big leaky periods. They don't sound very absorbent.

Anyone with very heavy periods who would like to give cloth a go should try out the massive ones made by honour your flow (I know, the name is horrendously hippy). They are fucking enormous and deal admirably with the flooding I get at nights (even with a moo cup!) I like the slim but long angelpadz during the day (for mooncup leaks).

To wonder why more people don't use cloth sanitary pads?
Questioningeverything · 04/12/2016 19:31

Op I avoided this post yesterday cause I didn't want to see where it was headed. Ugh gross, periods. I'm nearly 30, these things have been the bane of my existence for nearly 20years. Yes I'm squeamish, I bloody hate periods. Pun intended. But then I got curious. I've researched them before as I hate the crinkly sound of pads, the scent thing (wtaf is that about) and the environment issues.
So congratulations you've converted another. Your post by page three gave me a kick up the whatsit and prompted me to order.
Just ordered a starter pack through cheeky wipes. They should have you on commission.
Question- how many do you normally need for a cycle??

drivingmisspotty · 04/12/2016 19:34

Just on the free bleeding topic. I think it was not a feminist movement but a 4chan hoax (I saw it in mumsnet first actually) birdeemag.com/free-bleeding-thing/

I mean, I'm sure some people would get away with using nothing and fair enough but most of us are more comfortable using something to catch our period.

Am tempted to try non disposable pads after this thread - didn't realise they were so absorbent.

I do like my mooncup though.

callmeadoctor · 04/12/2016 19:41

How can anybody not love these? Smile

To wonder why more people don't use cloth sanitary pads?
suZAN2154 · 04/12/2016 19:49

Im really heavy on my first three days and its so easy to throw super plus tampon and nightime towel away l wonder if cloth pads could cope and youl all laugh but l hate sight of blood laugh again but id have to look at it too much with cloth pads and id have to use a tampon aswel anyway
I have trouble sometimes getting pads to stick to my underwear wings really help and cloth pads dont have sticky wings
There expensive too unfortunately we live now in a disposable society everyone including me goes for the easy option
Ive used a mooncup but l hate taking it out and emptying it just me again
I find dairy doll period pants really good and colourful and so like good underwear before and after my period
I feel cloth pads id give me hassle l dont need

callmeadoctor · 04/12/2016 19:50

I had never heard of csp till my 12 year old daughter started her periods, had huge sensory problems with disposables. Hated them sticking to her, moving. Wouldn't change them at school because of the rustling and wouldn't use the "disgusting" school sanitary bins. I found out about re usable ones and bought her some to try (even though I thought it was gross!!!) They have changed her life, honestly!!! We have a great time picking fabrics etc (she is into marvel comic ones at the moment). She folds them into their little square at school and they go in a small makeup bag, buried deep in her school bag (no smell). When she gets home, i throw them into a loosely lidded bin of water under bathroom sink with vanish on them. Whenever I do a wash, they just go in with everything else, honestly it could not be easier Smile.

paxillin · 04/12/2016 19:50

I think my shoes would run over if I free-bled.

callmeadoctor · 04/12/2016 19:52

Now I have started pinching them instead of tena ladies, fab!!!

gemma19846 · 04/12/2016 19:52

Why dont people use them??? Because they are gross 😷 why would you want to wash out blood and clots in either a sink.or washing machine 😷😷😷😷

gemma19846 · 04/12/2016 19:54

Washing clothes with bloody pads? Seriously 😷

minifingerz · 04/12/2016 19:55

Love the way that all the people who won't use them because they think their periods are too heavy, haven't tried them (so don't know) and are steadfastly ignoring all the posts saying that they're actually more absorbent and secure than disposables... Hmm

callmeadoctor · 04/12/2016 19:55

Some of my lot!!! When they arrived. They are folded over at the back with press studs to shut them. I don't make them, by the way. These were bought Smile

To wonder why more people don't use cloth sanitary pads?
callmeadoctor · 04/12/2016 19:57

Some of the sewing on the pads are just stunning by the way, the seamstresses are amazing!!

Laiste · 04/12/2016 19:57

I like the idea. I want to go for it. I fancy the minkee outer layer ones. I need long and for 'heavy flow'. I've no idea what inner to choose.

I've given myself a headache trying to choose. I've been on 5 sites and i'm boggled :(

Questioningeverything · 04/12/2016 19:57

But Gemma what if your lo has skid marks? (I have a boy who doesn't wipe properly yet)
What if you leak from your tampon?

I dunno about you but having kids has introduced me to more mess than a bit of my own blood being washed in the machine. My baby's poo explosions are amazing, in the wash and everything is clean again...

Olives106 · 04/12/2016 19:58

It's not gross, that's what washing machines are for and you can always use a bit of dettol if you're worried.

If you have kids you must be used to chucking clothes stained with pee, poo or vomit into the wash. If you have periods you've probably had to soak and wash blood from underwear or bedding. It's no worse than that

callmeadoctor · 04/12/2016 19:58

I know people are suggesting that washing with clothes is gross, but don't you wash knickers that way anyway (that may have been leaked on?)

Soubriquet · 04/12/2016 19:59

Love the way that all the people who won't use them because they think their periods are too heavy, haven't tried them (so don't know) and are steadfastly ignoring all the posts saying that they're actually more absorbent and secure than disposables

This. And being totally disgusted by women who do use them. No one enjoys having a period but I really don't the digust about it all

callmeadoctor · 04/12/2016 20:00

A big plus for my daughter is so she doesn't have to use the school sanitary bins!! I think that is the saddest thing that I have learnt recently (I forgot how horrible school toilet and san bins are!!!!)

Sparklingbrook · 04/12/2016 20:02

I am not in any way disgusted by any way that other women manage their periods.
I don't wish to try cloth pads or mooncups because I am happy with tampons, and I feel secure with my choice. That's all.

SuperFlyHigh · 04/12/2016 20:02

I'm not disgusted by people who use them just don't want to try them myself.

It's called a choice for a reason.

57968sp · 04/12/2016 20:02

Never liked having periods and eventually kept taking the pill continuously to do away with them completely. Once you know that the only reason you are told to stop taking the pill one week in four is to induce artificial withdrawal bleeding which is unnecessary then the solution is logical.
And no, the blood does not build up, nor does the womb lining. Read up about it and gain your freedom!

FindoGask · 04/12/2016 20:03

I use a mooncup but also use cloth pads for night times when I'm heaviest at the beginning of my period. Been doing this for about 3 or 4 years now and have never looked back. Mine weren't expensive - I only have three, I think they're bamboo? they close with poppers underneath the gusset and are very absorbent.

I rinse mine in cold water before putting them in the wash - that gets the majority of blood out and the rest comes out easily in the wash. I do wash everything at 60 though which, environmentally speaking, probably negates my efforts to reduce landfill!