Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask...where do you put your used tampons at home?

475 replies

YellowCat3 · 07/04/2019 15:27

Okay, I'll fess up...for years I've flushed them [blush. I've never thought too much about the enivronmental impact as I thought it was the same as loo roll, but have recently become aware that I definitely need to stop.

But I don't like the thought of them lingering around the house. We don't have a bin in the bathroom as it seems disgusting somehow, and our only bin is in the kitchen. It seems beyond skanky to put soiled tampons in there. I just wondered what other women do - do you put them straight in the bins outside, or are you happy to have bloody tampons in the bins inside for days? Not sure if I am being OCD about this (probably), but feel puzzled as to the best way to dispose of them?

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 08/04/2019 20:26

Whatever your bin requirements are your visitors deserve one in the bathroom.

Rosti1981 · 08/04/2019 20:28

I didn't know you weren't supposed to flush them till quite recently (in fairness I hadn't had a period for quite a long time because of pregnancy/breastfeeding etc then I was using mooncup, it's only recently that I've started using tampons a bit again so have had to think about it).

Get a small bin for bathroom and put a bag in it. Wrap tampons in tissue and in that bag. Change the bathroom bin bag once or twice during your period. Or mooncup.

Alpal1 · 08/04/2019 20:31

Biodegradable doggie bags, then outside bin. (Luckily close to the loo). For guests, I have bathroom bins and little posh scented bags.

Hiddenaspie1973 · 08/04/2019 20:32

Dig into the soil.

Evilspiritgin · 08/04/2019 20:35

Amazon sell biodegradable tampons and biodegradable bags to put used ones in to dispose of, it’s not a big deal

Mississippilessly · 08/04/2019 20:43

I really, really think that our focus needs to be getting people on with their bodies. The idea that grown women are freaked out'by their own menstrual blood is a bit worrying. As far as i'm concerned mooncups and the like should be the default choice. I'm so tired of hearing 'it's my body I can do what I like' we are literally destroying our planet. We need to get over ourselves a bit I think. It's just some blood. It's not going to kill you.

Sonicknuckles · 08/04/2019 20:47

Wrap up in tissue and put in a nappy bag then transfer to bin outside

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 08/04/2019 20:52

I rarely have visitors so I'm not rearranging my bathroom to make way for a bin that will probably never be used. Nor will I ever use a Mooncup or washable pads (or any other kind of pads for that matter unless it was medically necessary). Period pants sound vile as well. Don't they feel damp? How do you wash them?

YeOldeTrout · 08/04/2019 20:55

Teen DD just tore a strip off me for insinuating that she might not known you shouldn't flush tampons. I've told her to Spread The Word.

Nicknacky · 08/04/2019 20:57

I don’t have enough visitors who will need to change sanitary wear so no need.

Bobbi73 · 08/04/2019 20:57

I love my moon cup and cloth pads but sometimes it's not practical (camping etc) so I just wrap it and chuck it in the bin. I'm not grossed out by my blood so I'm happy to have a bin in the bathroom. Please don't flush them. A lot of the sewage ends up in the sea and tampons are pretty grim. Not to mention the poor people that have to clear the blockages in the sewers.

Texel · 08/04/2019 21:03

How do you wash them?
Throw them in the washing machine same as with reusable pads, I've never found them to feel anymore damp then a pad.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 08/04/2019 21:31

I've never used reusable pads so I wasn't sure. I hated the permanently damp feeling with pads, it was a permanent reminder that I was on my period!

Arkenfield3001 · 08/04/2019 21:35

I ordered a stash of paper hygiene bags on amazon and just put them in that in the bathroom bin ! At least they take up less room than sanitary pads ...

GingerLiberalFeminist · 08/04/2019 21:44

Washable pads? I don't use tampons, where can I get washable pads? And do they come in thickness differentiation etc?

WineIsMyMainVice · 08/04/2019 21:47

I’ve just started using washable pants. They are absolutely amazing! I really thought they would leak, especially on v heavy days - but not a drop!!

Texel · 08/04/2019 21:53

where can I get washable pads?
Etsy have lots of people selling them in all sorts of different materials, sizes etc, but also amazon and if you search just reusable pads on Google you will get lots of options of dif companies selling them.

Jessie94 · 08/04/2019 21:58

In the washing machine along with my pads

JK2012 · 08/04/2019 22:00

I have a bathroom bin with a lid so it’s not like a waste bin you can see inside. Wrap up with toilet roll and into the bin. I empty the bathroom bin regularly anyway.

toffeeghirlinatwirl · 08/04/2019 22:33

I’m another in my late 40s, however, I was aware that Sanpro should never be flushed from the age of 10 (early starter.) I will never forget the day our whole street witnessed my friend’s household drains being dug up and out came tons of towels and tampons. Friend’s dad publically humiliated her.
That was in 1985 and, if ever, I was tempted to flush, I have flashbacks of that day. Blush
I just find this whole thread depressing and infuriating. FWIW, I have bathroom bins but have personally been on the mooncup bandwagon for several years. Hopefully, my period days are drawing to a close (38 years and counting!) but honestly, it’s been a game changer for me - up there with sliced bread and the wheel!

Chickenwing · 08/04/2019 23:09

How is food in the toilet different than shit?

Texel · 08/04/2019 23:19

Shit disolves easier and is meant to go down the drains. Food creates fatbergs and blockages because of the oil, fat etc. Grains, pastas etc will expand rather then disolve, I read about a blockage caused by Yorkshire puddings recently. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/yorkshire-puddings-toilet-drains-ipswich-anglian-water-fatbergs-sewers-a8795851.html
Only pee, poo and (toilet) paper should go down the toilet.

bridgetreilly · 08/04/2019 23:29

I find it bizarre that people don't have bins in the bathroom, whether or not you have period things to dispose of. There's all kinds of things that go in the bathroom bin - dental floss, cotton buds, face wipes, toilet rolls, used toothpaste tubes and toothbrushes. Who wants to be carrying that around with you all the time? Just get a bin and empty it once a week or whatever.

Hotterthanahotthing · 08/04/2019 23:30

I have always had heavy periods and premeno flooding.In our last house we had a septic tank so I got very adept at removing horrendous tampons without getting clots everywhere.The occasional accident usually at night when you sit down and it all fly's out just has to be accepted but never done on purpose.
I do wonder how long a biodegradable tampon takes to break down though?In a compost heap it would be like the egg shells being reput in and building up in ever increasing numbers.
I have brought my DD up to not be frightened or disgusted by what her body does,she is 15 and this year started to use a moon cup.

Evilspiritgin · 08/04/2019 23:50

i was also brought up to not to be bothered about having periods etc but mooncups don’t interest me at all , I wonder why you can’t use them if you’ve had toxic shock syndrome?

My god when I first started my periods most people had to use those bloody awful and bulky dr whites looped, I also wonder for women that leak urine if there is anything biodegradable?