to ask if you have tried washable menstrual pads?

[GivenAndDenied]

So reusable nappies are a thing now, pretty well accepted, gaining popularity.

Today I've seen an advert for reusable/washable menstrual pads.

I like the idea of reducing my waste footprint, reusing is a good thing. But has anyone actually used them? If so, how did they get on with them? Good or bad brands? Interested to know others experiences, considering giving them a try.

Yes I have some WAHM ones
They’re lovely, comfy and just wash with my knickers

Yep, I gave some from babipur. Love them, much nicer than disposable. I rinse then wash with our nappies.

Yep, for about 15 years!

I have a very large collection from WAHM I've found them through facebook and etsy.
You can sell on ones you don't like after you've bought them just like reusable nappies.
I'd never go back to disposables now. I tend to throw mine in a tub with cold water and then do them all on a cold wash at the end on my cycle but you can wash them whenever you like.

Yep, far more comfy! Got mine from Babi Pur too, they sell loads. Quick rinse under cold bath tap then I store in a wet bag and wash.

I have some but they are bit bulky so I want to get some thinker ones -however are much nicer to wear that the equivalent sized disposable.

I actually use my son's old reusable nappy inserts as night pads when I'm on. They are the most comfortable thing I've found and no harder than nappies to wash. I use the cup for daytime though. I'm considering getting the reusable pads, but the cup seem like less work

I use them for overnights on the heavy first couple of days of my period when my mooncup tends to leak. They're great, but a bit bulky for daywear I find. Perhaps other posters have used better makes.

My instagram feed keeps trying to sell me absorbent menstrual underwear, but for some reason I find that idea weird and gross.

Yes I have loads from sellers on Etsy. I find them so much more comfortable than disposable!

I've never used them. Are they quite expensive? When I'm on I change my pad every hour sometimes more frequently so I'm not sure how many I would need.

Just got some- earthwise. The smaller ones don’t want to stay put after a few washes but the larger ones are great and very absorbant

I have some im just waiting for next period to use them. I dont know brand i just got mine on amazon.

Yes for about 20 years - I have one of the originals I bought, the others are replacements. I just find them much nicer and more secure than disposables tho some a little more bulky. I particularly appreciate not having that awful moment when the sticky strip on a disposable catches some pubes and nearly yanks them out.

Yep I love mine, wish I'd tried them years ago. Mine are from cheeky wipes x

They are quite pricy yes, certainly compared to own brand pads. I have five which is a bit tight, but I can just about get away with it if I keep on top of the washing. Why not buy a couple and see how you get on - order more if you like them.

I have for 3-4 yrs now
Wahm ones from Facebook, etsy, and a few websites sell wahm ones are the ones I prefer.

Fleece backed keeps them in place more than minky or pul backed.

I rinse in the washer and then put in a wash ...no faffing around.

Used a mix of washable pads and thinx period underwear, they're great. The thinx are mega comfy and I wear them at night but they can get a bit smelly so I don't wear them during the day for that reason Feels like you're not wearing a pad at all with the period underwear

My actual cloth pads are great too, comfier than normal pads imo

Yes, I use them with a cup - cup plus pad for first couple of days of period, pads only at night. I rinse them out cold then bung them in a wash in a mesh bag.
They are lovely and soft and stay in place, plus nothing sticky or sweat-inducing like disposables. I only found out about them, and cups, from MN. Wish I'd starting using them years ago!

Those of you with teen DDs, did you/will you include cups and disposables as part of the sanpro offering? What did they end up using?

Mine cost about £10 for 8 and I love them - guess I wear my big pants when using them but they are fine.

I’m menopausal these days so this is no longer an issue for me, but I was previous using some from Honour Your Flow. See their website..

Really comfy, I just rinsed or soaked for a bit in cold water and washed on 40. They came out fine - go nice and soft in the tumble drier. Often I didn’t even bother rinsing and they still came out the wash fine. They’re quite expensive initially but you’ll literally never have to buy sanpro again, so..

Have some cheap charcoal bamboo ones from Amazon in different patterns. Really cheap.

You start off thinking ‘woah, these are hugely bulky’ but once you get used to them you realise they are so much more comfortable than plasticky sweaty crumpled smelly disposable pads. Mine are v absorbent and have never leaked. I wouldn’t wear them with tight jeans though.

Mine fold up with a button, then every 1-2 days I put them in a normal wash wash with darks (rinse briefly in cold water if I can be bothered). I last on 5 for one cycle as we do laundry regularly.

I use Thinx period knickers rather than washable pads. They're really effective and feel secure and they have a range of styles & absorbencies. They are marginally thicker than regular underwear but none of the bulk of pads. They get laundered on a cold wash.

I was looking at these for post-delivery. I’ve seen cheeky wipes ones. Has anyone used them for this or found some are particularly good for very heavy flow?

Yes, got mine from babipur, they have a good selection. Find them much more comfortable than disposable ones and don't irritate me anywhere near as much.

I got some from earth wise girls. They feel a bit bulkier than disposable ones but comfy and I like the patterns! I have twelve which does mean they need washing a lot at that time of the month but with two small children I do at least one wash a day anyway.