To think that reusable sanitary/incontinence pads are a waste of money

[JesusSufferingFuck22]

I really want to make the switch. I currently use Tena extra plus and my bathroom bin has never been so heavy! I've looked at multiple brands and on the surface they look good but when I read more of the reviews I feel like I'm going to regret any purchase I make. I'm a bit about storing them in a bag an washing them but can get over that if they actually work, are comfortable and don't smell!
Is anyone really happy with their reusable pads?
TIA

thanks everyone for the input. My period is down to 2 days now (peri menopause) and I have mobility issues so a mooncup, even though it's something I wish was around when I was much younger, might be too much of a learning curve.
I "think" from what I've read that they should be good for my level of incontinence
I'll have a good browse tonight and start being a bit more eco friendly.
I'm also very fed up of the strip of glue getting stuck to my pant!

Try any. Primary ones are ok, Sainsburys are good. I've had some from next and Amazon too. Most of them come in different levels of absorbency. Well worth it though!!

Have tried reusable for elderly mum with incontinence, but none of them.up to the job

I use Modi bodi but mainly as back up as I'm really sensitive to any moisture. I do use them alone when light and find them perfect for that but can't comment on going solo on heavier days. They're super comfy and really reasonably priced when they have a sale if you aren't picky on style or colour. I do have a couple of the seamless ones and find them a little sweatier though so I'd suggest avoiding them unless you really need some seamless ones.

I have friends who use reusable pads and swear by them, wouldn't use anything else. While not necessarily as convenient as disposable there's loads more perks like those covered above.

I think the thread title is a bit misleading. You haven’t tried them yet, so don’t know they are no good. Titles like that put people off trying.

If it’s phrased as a question - which is what your actual post is, then others who are wondering the same thing might look.

Just a thought.

I have thinx, modi bodi, and primark period pants (my favourite are modi bodi) - all work and are brilliant. So much so that I bought thinx pants years ago before you could buy them in the UK and paid an absolute fortune in shipping and taxes and STILL felt they were worth it.

I've also used cheeky wipes reusable pads and think they're great too.

If I'm going to be out all day, I tend to wear a reusable pad inside my period underwear, then just take out the pad and wear the pants when I need to. I've comfortably worn a pair of period pants all day without any leaking, smell or discomfort - but I have heavy periods so prefer to have the back up.

I usually rinse before washing then stick in with the rest of my clothes on Eco 40 cycle. Occasionally I'll wash them all together on 60 for a bit of a better clean but I don't get round to this often.

Modibody. Love love love them. Massive upfront investment (you need 4-5 pairs really) but I don't regret it

Tried some reusable ‘bladder leak’ incontinence pads and they were awful: bulky, uncomfortable and had some popper arrangement which didn’t stay put.. Back on the Tenaladies light liners, especially the black ones.

They're fabulous. I last bought/used a disposable sanitary product in 2006. I haven't looked back! When I think of all the thousands of tampons and pads that aren't in landfill, it makes me very happy. Plus all the ££ I've saved.

Whilst I can't answer about their usefulness for incontinence, the closest I can describe is when my waters went at 26 weeks. I was constantly trickling (for 8 weeks!!!!). Normal period pads couldn't cope, had to use Tena type pads. But I was reacting to them, so had a go at a £17 set of 5 heavy flow reusable pads, from Amazon. They were unbranded, dark grey fleece lining.

They were brilliant for the constant trickling. Soft (a little warm in summer, but not sweaty), absorbent and easy to clean. I then used them postpartum, and have now passed them onto my sister (she asked!)

They took slightly longer to absorb a huge flood than actual incontinence pads, and you need well fitting knickers, but they were so much nicer than the disposable options.

I bought cheap reusable pads over a decade ago and never had to buy another one. Cost less than £100 for a decent stock and they're still like new. I just rinse, wash and line dry. I got grey pads so stains aren't an issue

I bought a couple of sets of Imse Vimse Dambindor pads which consisted of pads made of a couple or three layers of brushed cotton (like their current cloth wipes) that you folded and inserted into a holder with a popper - they were brilliant but no longer made. You could double them up on heavy days or overnight, and because they folded out flat, they dried much quicker than the shaped pads. They cost less than £20 for a set with 2 nightime, 2 liners (which I used to fold into the nighttime ones for extra absorbency) and maybe 4 daytime squares. I think I bought a 3rd set a few years later. Some of the pads are getting a bit threadbare now, but I bought them when DD was a baby - she's now 22! I bought one shaped pad from somewhere else just to try. Not as comfortable as the Imse Vimse ones and took ages to dry in comparison. That one is always the last one I pull out of the drawer to use. I must have saved loads of money over the years!

I tried a couple of varieties of washable liners for my mild bladder leakage problem (I don't have periods) - they were no good at all, bulky and uncomfortable and within a matter of hours things were far from fresh in that region, I can tell you.

I was terrified to wear one out in public, so I ditched them and went back to my Always discreet liners.

I have three modibodi pairs. I don't store them to wash, I just wash them every day - I tend to have the washing machine on daily anyway.
For me they're perfect as I'm mostly medium-light flow. However I don't use them on my first period day as it's heavy. Even the super absorbent pair are a bit minging by the end of the day. Dry, but I find period blood does smell.
Every other day of my period I absolutely love them.

I have several types because I have very variable periods and used washables throughout two postpartum periods.
Thinx pants (meh, ok, bit sweaty, not worth the import tax)
Flux pants (3y in and getting a bit tired looking, occasionally wicking through the stitching
Wuka pants (favourites, but only got lights)
Pads
Minivivi (love love love)
Homestead emporium (love love)
Imse vimse (only if the others are used up)
Cheap fleece topped ones from Amazon etc (sweaty AF, never use, first ones I bought)

I know it's not the same thing but, I leaked through disposable breast pads very quickly when I was nursing. They were also very sweaty and uncomfortable. Reusable bamboo ones could last hours and still be comfortable. Just because it's Reusable, doesnt mean youre losing the quality of absorbant silica. In many cases its a superior product. Same with pads. They are more comfortable and less sweaty although I do find they ride a little so get some longer ones if you're worried as they stay put. Try different brands too and don't write off the idea if you try some that don't work for you. I have several types and some are much better than others. I like charcoal for better hygiene but white if I want to see what's happening (end of period). Period pants are great as well, I think there are incontinence ones too. I usually wear those and a moon cup and I feel cleaner and more comfortable tha I ever did with the mountains of disposable pads.

Period pants are excellent, they aren’t smelly if you wash them correctly. We rinse at the end of the day and pop them in a full 60 wash with other underwear, nappies etc…

I can’t speak for incontinence products, but I’m afraid I didn’t have a good experience with Modibody. I found they felt “slimy” and soggy to wear after an hour or so, leaked everywhere and felt bulky and uncomfortable. They also shifted place overnight so I got some lovely marks on the bedsheets.
I also didn’t get on with the moon cup - I’m very sensitive in that area and I found it painful to insert. I probably wasn’t doing it correctly but I found it impossible to get my head around.

They are amazing but I recommend getting some from a small business that makes them in the UK. Much better materials than any Chinese imports.

Lady Days and TCS Eco are two good UK brands to try.

I am a total convert to reusable pads. Used them prior to having my youngest, and am using them again now my periods have restarted. No smells, comfortable, rustle-free. After the initial outlay I'm not spending anything.
I have an emergency pack of always sensitive in my drawer and haven't had to use them yet.
Unsure about incontinence reusables but I use bloom and Nora pads and their maxi and mighty pads would probably do the job well.
Honestly you get used to the rinsing, storing and washing and it doesn't seem any more of a faff than having to empty the bathroom bin daily.

I have some washable sanitary towels that I bought nearly 20 years ago. I wanted to love them but I very rarely use them because I hate them. They’re thicker than disposable ones, not as absorbent and I always felt like I could smell them. I use them overnight sometimes if I’m sleeping alone but never at any other time after several failed attempts. Maybe they are better designed now?

These are great www.honouryourflow.co.uk/ excellent quality, small independent UK business

I have stress incontinence which can flood when I'm near a bathroom, sneeze or coughing fit. I use cotton fabric reusable pads from cheeky wipes and period pants

I also dont think people realise that most period pants should be changed the same amount as you would a tampon or sanitary pad.

I did wonder about how often the period pants need changing. Surely if it is unhygienic to leave a disposable pad for more than 4 hours in the day, the pants must be the same? So they are no less hassle really?