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.

I was allergic to the blue gel stuff. I love my reusables

I made my own reusables.
They are so much softer and don't contain any weird scented chemicals.

Once you have purchased a wet bag for storage and pads the cost is very minimal, and you never have that emergency trip to buy supplies at a random time of day.

I have a set of Lunapads which I bought around 15 years ago. They are still going strong and are soft and comfy. I do use disposable pads occasionally as I have a very, very heavy flow for one or two nights and have to double up pads which is easier with disposables.

I've got some too. Bought from a variety of places. I love them, so much nicer than disposables. No bother to wash them, i put them in cold water to soak, then bung them in the wash with everything else.

Yes, just Amazon cheapies as back up to a mooncup.
Much better than having scented, compacted gel cotton wool shoved against my bits.

They’re great.

Weirdly, I have a lighter flow when I’m using them than I did with regular pads. I’ve read some theories about the chlorine in regular pads actually making your flow heavier but don’t know how true that is.

I definitely find my periods lighter and easier using the reusables.

I have some cloth liners to back up my cup on heavy days. Love them.

I got mine from nappy lady when buying reusable nappies.

Instead of soaking, buy one of these to block the loo, put the pads on top and flush, then straight into the wash.

Old nappy liners (some I sewed myself!) here. Or a flannel folded into thirds at night time.

I'm wryly amused at the notion that re-usable nappies are a thing "now".

I'm old enough to remember my Mum using them for my baby brother (9 years younger than me), when disposables were apparently not an option.

As others have said, they are much more absorbent and comfortable. I buy them from cheeky wipes, and on days when I don't want a bulky pad, I use their cotton ultra pads, which are much thinner. The only downside with the cotton ones is that they stain more, but that doesn't bother me.

I also now use their washable make-up remover pads, which I love.

www.cheekywipes.com

I've been looking into this but they seem to be online only so I can't work out the size/thickness. And there are so many to choose from!

Can anyone recommend some thin ones please? (I only really need pantyliner thickness)

Oops took ages to type and just seen Amummy's link, will check them out

Yep, been using them intermittently with a mooncup since I was 16. The pads are still going strong, no sign of wearing out any time soon. I’ve had them 8 years.

Once I started using them I wondered how any woman could use disposable ones over washables, it feels so wrong to have bleached paper stuck against your privates over some comfy minky fabric. Easy to wash and use!

If you want really absorbent @BroomstickOfLove then the biggest ones made by Honour Your Flow are wonderfully enormous! Never used to be able to ge through a whole night with a single pad before I got a few.

Angelpadz are nice and slim for under leggings

I sort of want to try them out but it always reminds me of the stories older women have told of when menstrual products were awful and rags got used etc. Feels slightly backwards.

Apologies - posted on wrong thread.

Treesy- notion of rags is horrible! Agree!

These are so different. First we now have washing machines. Second, we have fabric technology so the pads are really absorbent and can come in dark colours so eg I actually see less blood than I did with white bleached pads.

I've got some but they annoy me as just slip around in my knicks.

How do you keep them in place? X

Oops ignore X very in mumsnet

Yes, but just to catch leaks from my mooncup. They're much nicer than disposable, and I wouldn't go back.

Yes and I love them!

I used to get really bad nappy rash with disposables. I don't get that with reusables.

You have to get used to them being a bit bulkier and then of course washing them but I wouldn't go back now.

I soak mine in cold water with salt, wring them out and then chuck them straight in the washing machine

I use them with a cup like a pp said. Love them, so comfy. I don't mind if they are bulky, sometimes I prefer the thicker ones if I'm feeling a bit tender. I have wahm ones and I've made my own as well. I really dislike disposable sanpro.

I have the cheeky wipes ones, they come in nice bright colours and I find the fastener is good and sturdy. I have the bamboo ones. I have stained mine though and would prefer to get them back to white (any ideas?) Wishing I'd bought the charcoal ones.

I use them with as mooncup when heavy and then just pads on v light days. So soft, not sweaty, no smells and for me - no allergic reaction!

I only have 5 and it's enough with a quick wash in the middle. I hang them outside on the washing line and have a slight panic about guests seeing them...