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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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Aeroflotgirl · 03/12/2016 12:16

What if you are out, don't fancy carrying bloody sanitary pad round all day in a bag until I get home, no thanks. What if your out clubbing, a smelly bag of pads is yuck yuck yuck in a confined space. Can just imagine someone picking them up by accident and yelling, err who's are these manky pads in a bag😳😳😳😳😳, and everyone turning round. Tgey might be ok for home and short trips, but not if you have to be out all day, or your on a hit date, no no no

Soubriquet · 03/12/2016 12:17

Which would you recommended *OPI

I've had a look at both of those websites and it's not totally clear what's best for me

My main requirement is NO MICROFIBRES!

I can't stand the stuff. Makes my spine go all eeeeesh

Frouby · 03/12/2016 12:18

I have a daft question about cloth pads.

Do you have the charcoal coloured bit up or down? Have been wondering for a while. I always go with up.

I only have a pack of 5 cheeky mama ones. I use them for the last day or 2 when I am pottering around at home. I like them but they do feel a bit bulky compared to the infinity pads I usually use.

I might try some of the cotton ones after Christmas. Washing them doesn't bother me. I just fold them up and chuck them in with everything else.

JessicaPeach · 03/12/2016 12:21

Up Frouby.

They dont smell at all, you just clip them back together like a little parcel and put them in a little make up bag or a little wet bag. No one would know what they are.I dont work so its usually easy for me to change mine at home but you would only perhaps need to change it once during a working day anyway, they last much better than disposables

kerryob · 03/12/2016 12:21

I'm curious about them, didn't realise they were a "thing". I couldn't get on with tampons, my cramps felt worse with them, tried many times & different sizes.

Original poster
Bex107 · 03/12/2016 12:21

Sou in that case I'd recommend the cotton cloth ultrapads by Cheeky Wipes, they feel just the same as wearing knickers, nice and slim but really absorbent. I just got a couple of the day pads to try initially, then got the full kit.

OP posts:
ViewBasket · 03/12/2016 12:22

To what extent does the electricity used in washing these to a high enough temperature, and in some cases tumble drying (raining outside, or you've run out of clean ones), cancel out the "green" effect of not using disposable pads?

Why isn't there a recycling (composting) service for eco-disposable nappies, and there could be a similar thing for pads too? Is it basically a hygiene issue?

Original poster
Bex107 · 03/12/2016 12:22

Frouby yes charcoal bit facing up Smile

OP posts:
Soubriquet · 03/12/2016 12:23

I was thinking of the cotton ones

Lovely. Thank you for the advice

NannyR · 03/12/2016 12:23

The ones I use fold up into an envelope shape with the blood inside them and fasten with the popper, so there isn't any smell and you can't see any mess. You can buy special bags to keep used pads in but I just tend to keep them in my handbag.

I buy mine from earthwise girls, they have a good selection. I use ecofemme day pads which are bright coloured flannel and Indian fabrics and imse vimse night pads which are very long but not at all bulky.

Original poster
Bex107 · 03/12/2016 12:24

Sou let me know how you get on!

OP posts:
NothingIsOK · 03/12/2016 12:26

I've recently switched over and wish I'd done it years ago.

They are great for when you know you might start and need something just in case, or are just about done but not quite. I used to hate the waste of using disposable knicker liners for that. Also lovely for overnight as tampon or mooncup backup when heavy.

I use imse vimse bought on Amazon. Lovely soft and comfy, no rustling, no shifting about in my pants or sticking to pubes. Really surprisingly absorbent, and less leaking than with disposables because they stay in place and are long enough.

I didn't get along with the fleecy bamboo style ones with fancy patterns because they shift about too much. The terry cloth and cotton style Ines are much more secure for me.

NothingIsOK · 03/12/2016 12:29

I was also thinking they wold be great for teens because there's no rustling involved unpacking them in the school loos. Much more discreet for girls who are bashful about it. A waterproof bag to stash the folded used ones in and you're sorted, all very quietly and without having to clank the ST bin.

ShatnersBassoon · 03/12/2016 12:29

I've seen them and always thought they looked really cosy.

This is the best thing I've read so far today. Cosy sanitary towels. It's taking hygge to new heights.

NannyR · 03/12/2016 12:30

With regards to electricity use, my pads go in with my normal washload that I would be doing anyway, I wash them at 30°, hot temperatures set stains on them. I don't tumble dry them as they dry pretty quickly anyway and they last longer, the heat of the tumble dryer shortens the life of the plastic lining.

Probably have people coming on saying that its disgusting, they should be boil washed separately, but I've been doing this for years, my clothes and pads look clean, smell clean and I don't come down with countless infections so I think washing them like this is OK.

Soubriquet · 03/12/2016 12:31

I will! I won't be doing it until after Christmas but I'm keen to give it a go.

formerbabe · 03/12/2016 12:32

I was also thinking they wold be great for teens because there's no rustling involved unpacking them in the school loos. Much more discreet for girls who are bashful about it. A waterproof bag to stash the folded used ones in

And just imagine someone at school finding those Shock

TwentyCups · 03/12/2016 12:35

Eco wise as said earlier on the thread I wash mine with underwear usually so it's a wash that I would be doing anyway. I wash mine on thirty same as everything else and they come out clean and fresh, you don't have to put them on 90 or anything. I've bled near continuously for several months and they are still in perfect condition so should last me a long time - reducing what goes to a landfill.

gamerchick · 03/12/2016 12:37

It doesn't matter about the inital outlay because you can sell them on. There's a market for them. These seem to be third hand minimum. Bit of bleach and you're good to go.

To wonder why more people don't use cloth sanitary pads?
TataEs · 03/12/2016 12:37

i bought some and i will say that i do not get the same 'kicked in the privates' ache that i do with disposables (possibly i'm mildly allergic) and ridiculously my periods are a lot lighter, which seems biologically impossible, but that definitely are...
however the ines i have do not sit well in my pants and i spend a lot of time worrying i'll leak. i tend to wear cloth at home and disposable at home and definitely at night.

MrsJayy · 03/12/2016 12:38

I cant see a teenage girl carrying a bag of soiled pads about school tbh

StrawberryLeaf · 03/12/2016 12:39

The extra washing really puts me off.

Getting a mooncup changed my life however!

purpleporpoise · 03/12/2016 12:40

I use a mooncup and reusable panty liners. Not sure I'd cope with the full flow in a reusable. But my mooncup has paid for itself in 6 months and I'm no longer contributing to landfill

Flingmoo · 03/12/2016 12:40

It's funny all the negative things people are saying are not actually the case. Most people who use them think they're great and most people who don't think they're great have never used them!

They are:

  • Not messy
  • Not smelly
  • Easy to wash, soaking not usually required
  • Convenient as you don't have to keep buying them

Pretty sure washing machines are a lot better these days and that's why they're so much easier to wash now.

CrackersDontMatter · 03/12/2016 12:41

They don't appeal to me because I don't like towels full stop. It's not the washable aspect. I used washable nappies. I like the idea of the washable pads, I'm sure that they are comfortable and better for you than disposables but I don't like using pads. I never feel fresh, just wet and it irritates me. Don't they just make you feel damp all day? Have been looking into menstrual cups lately though as I'm having issues with tampons and looking for s change.