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AIBU?

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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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expatinscotland · 03/12/2016 11:36

Because mooncups are nicer.

JellyWitch · 03/12/2016 11:37

Because I use a mooncup. Haven't used pads (bar postpartum bleeds) since I was under 16.

bloodyteenagers · 03/12/2016 11:39

Tried them.
They didn't cope with what comes out. Thankfully I was at home, normally I can go 2 hours.
Then the practicalities of this of havongto carry around 10 pads a day just wouldn't work. And I also enter buildings that do bag checks.
Then of course the washing. I would have to do a load a day wouldn't be practical to have around 200 pads until the end, never mind the initial outlay and the storage.

BigDamnHero · 03/12/2016 11:40

Thanks, Bex.

I was getting loads of spotting on the pill I was on and ended up wearing panty liners every day just in case since it was so unpredictable but that's not very environmentally friendly and I worried about getting thrush etc.

I have just changed pills (literally yesterday) so I'll need to see if that stops the issue (and I go back to no bleeding/periods ever, which is preferable!). If not, I might look into cloth pads.

expatinscotland · 03/12/2016 11:41

Pads are awful.

IrenetheQuaint · 03/12/2016 11:42

I love my mooncup and was delighted to escape from the nasty sensation of pads between my legs (don't get on with tampons). Also I'm often out of the house from 8 am to 10 pm and wouldn't enjoy lugging blood-soaked fabric around with me all day. (And what about holidays/weekends away?)

Still, each to their own, and if they work for you that's great, and certainly much better for the environment than disposables.

Parker231 · 03/12/2016 11:43

Sounds like a step backwards in time - tampons and disposable towels together with disposable nappies have been invented to make like easier and less work.

formerbabe · 03/12/2016 11:44

I find with any type of pad, I'm permanently aware that I've got my period.

everythingis · 03/12/2016 11:45

Not for me. Plus I hate all the self congratulating righteousness about them and cloth nappies.
So glad I've left nappies behind with the dc I'm not going back!

DailyMailSucksAss · 03/12/2016 11:46

I'm very heavy and have tried all the cloth ones - they overflow considerably if you have big clots. I'm better off with my 3 Always Night pads stuck back to back.

KoalaDownUnder · 03/12/2016 11:47

I find with any type of pad, I'm permanently aware that I've got my period

Yeah, this. Tampons only, thanks.

Also, I am really not up for carrying bloodied pads around in my handbag at work all day.

Mirandawest · 03/12/2016 11:47

I used to use them (before I got a mirena coil and my periods have stopped). The washing didn't bother me at all but DD had reusable nappies at the time.

I think they help some people with menstrual cramps and I think that is the case with mooncups too. Have never managed to use tampons so never tried mooncups.

I can see DD probably won't want to use them when her periods start although I will tell her about them.

Oblomov16 · 03/12/2016 11:49

Just don't fancy them. Period blood isn't really very nice, is it?

Ambivalentmum · 03/12/2016 11:50

I use the moon cup and cloth pads, usually go through 2-3 max in a day, but they never leak. They don't smell and do feel nice, but I can't wear the usual fairly tight pants at work as I think that the pads are somewhat bulky. Initially only used them at home, but now can't bear the sweaty feel and smell of the disposable ones. I'd say to get one pack first and see how it goes, can always use them at home only.

formerbabe · 03/12/2016 11:50

Yeah, this. Tampons only, thanks.

Ditto... everything else just seems like a lot of mess (vom)

Yeah, this. Tampons only, thanks.

Also, I am really not up for carrying bloodied pads around in my handbag at work all day.

God, you wouldn't be able to walk down the street without dogs following you!!

JessicaPeach · 03/12/2016 11:53

I love them too, discovered them after having a baby. I thought they were pretty disgusting as a concept and im not sure what made me decide to try them in the end but im a total convert. I have heavy periods and it was just a matter of finding the right ones for me, I use minky bamboo and have just bought some giant cotton ultrapads for night time. I used to rinse them individually at the end of each cycle but I dont bother any more, I just keep them in a plastic box on the bathroom shelf and every month I just chuck them in the wash. Every few months I soak them overnight in violets sanitiser then into the wash.

maddiemookins16mum · 03/12/2016 11:54

Because it's 2016 and not 1016.
Decent heavy duty tampons and unscented pads suit me just fine.

JessicaPeach · 03/12/2016 11:54

I always want to recommend them to all my friends but im very aware that lots of people find the thought of them really gross so I dont talk about them really. I use reusuable wipes too, they are fantastic

ChipIn · 03/12/2016 11:55

I have considered cloth pads. DD is in cloth nappies most of the time, for financial and enviro reasons, so it makes sense that I use cloth pads too but I find it a bit ickier than cloth nappies. Can't really put my finger on why though.

WendlaBergmann · 03/12/2016 11:58

They actually sound really interesting - I seem to react to something in disposables which makes me feel really grotty.

I was going to post that the smell of them pre washing would put me off, but you say that's chemicals. Hmm. Does anyone do starter packs like for cloth bumming?

Miserylovescompany2 · 03/12/2016 11:58

We live in a disposable society. The majority of people simple don't have the time to soak and then wash cloth sanitary towels. As another person said, they cost a lot short term. Not everyone has that disposable income to invest? Lots of people budget weekly or monthly?

Since having my daughter my monthly bleeding has been quite heavy for the first two days. I can easily go through an entire pack on twenty in a day. I wouldn't fancy washing that amount of cloth towels :(

The disposable one are also sometimes fragranced. Lets face it fragrance is sometimes a good thing if you can't change your pad for a few hours? I don't fancy having a sachet of lavender shoved in my knickers ;)

I would be tempted if they weren't so expensive. I'd probably only use them of the latter days when the bleeding wasn't as heavy.

Each to their own I guess...

Original poster
Bex107 · 03/12/2016 12:02

Wendla - try Bloom & Nora or CheekyWipes for starter kits. The main thing to work out is whether you prefer bamboo/minkee (more absorbent but slightly bulkier and some people don't like the feel of them as much) or cotton cloth. And obviously the big decision of which pattern you prefer Smile

OP posts:
littleprincesssara · 03/12/2016 12:05

I tried them and found they simply would not stay in place. Held on by just one popper, and would always swivel round so the pad was underneath and the popper on top if that makes sense.

JessicaPeach · 03/12/2016 12:10

Misery I find I dont need to change them anywhere near as often as a disposable and a couple of times I have forgotten that i've got my period and taken none out with me (which would never have happened with a disposable) and ended up wearing one all day and not even felt at risk of a leak. I started off with nighttime ones as felt they'd be less risky for me and then bought some daytime ones a few months later to use when its ramping up and winding down

NannyR · 03/12/2016 12:13

Soaking and washing them takes no time at all. If they are not too stained, they just get chucked in with the rest of the laundry, on heavier days I have a box with a lid that I put them in to soak, then then they get washed with everything else.

The fragrance of disposables is why I love using cloth. They smell really strongly of cheap perfume, I don't want that wafting around me and when its mixed with blood, the smell is even worse. It doesn't mask the fact that you are on your period, it draws attention to it.
I also find that the absorbent stuff in disposables, together with the plastic backing smells quite strongly once you've worn the pad for a few hours, even if you are wearing one just in case and there is no blood on it. Cloth is much softer, no sticky bits and smells fresher, and better for the environment.