FabLittleBag reviews thread; find out what MNers think about the innovative tampon disposal bags NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

We asked 500 MNers (and 150-200 of their teenage daughters) to try FabLittleBag during their periods – this is the thread for their reviews, comments and feedback. Some testers were also teenage girls (daughters of MNers).

The team at FabLittleBag say – “our new bags use clever finger loops to make tampon disposal easy, discreet and hygienic. The biodegradable bags are opaque and seal closed. They provide confident disposal every time, anywhere. We believe they are the best solution to tampon disposal. Period.
They come in a handbag pack of 5 perfect for ensuring confident disposal when out and about, and a bathroom pack of 20 to keep at home next to your tampons. You top up your handbag pack from your bathroom pack as needs be”.

FabLittleBag’s are available now at Waitrose, Ocado and www.fablittlebag.com – plus they will be available at Wholefoods from March. Bathroom Packs of 20 bags £2.99 and the re-fillable HandBag Pack £1.99 includes 5 bags for on the go use.

Questions for testers (if you and your DD took part please answer for her as well: together or separate posts)

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
Any problems with them?
Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
Would you continue to buy them?
Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
Any other thoughts?

Selected testers who add feedback as required will be entered into a prize draw where two winners will each win a £100 John Lewis voucher.

Thanks and good luck
MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

PS: see here for info on what FLB are doing as a DIRECT result of this feedback from MNers.

Responding for both me and 12yo DD

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?

Me: very easy to use. Finger loops a great idea. Used them for both tampons and towels.

DD: I liked them a lot. I liked how once the towels or tampons in the bag they weren't visible and I could throw in the bin and forget about them. I took them to my dad's too as feel quite self conscious about periods when staying with him. It was great for that. Very easy to use too.

Where did you use them?

Me: at home

DD: at home and at school.

Please describe how you used them

Me: used them for both tampons and towels/panty liners. Found really easy to open and put items inside. Easy to then just chuck into bin without worry of small people routing around.

DD: like mum used for tampons and towels. Towels I rolled up and they went in easily and sealed well. Through into bin. Much less messy than using nappy sacks.

Any problems with them?

Me: occasionally didn't close properly but still liked them.

DD: no, I liked how they worked.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons?
How?

Me: no, but only because I don't flush anyway. If I did flush, the ease of using these and how hygienic they were on disposing could have stopped me flushing.

DD: I've never flushed so just make it easier to dispose of in the bin and make me less self conscious about things.

Would you continue to buy them?

Me: possibly but unlikely due to price and that already happy with routine of disposing. Happy to buy for DD though.

DD: if mum buys for me then yeah I would like to continue to buy them!

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?

Me: possibly. But would depend on what they did already. I would tell them it's a good product but a little costly.

DD: probably not but only cos I'd be a bit embarrassed. If was having chat with friends about flushing then might say don't flush and these bags are easy to use, or if they asked what the bag was if they saw one then I would.

Any other thoughts? No.

How did you find the FabLittleBags generally?
Nice and small, lots of writing on them.
Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
Mainly at home, so I kept them in my medicine cabinet but they fit really neatly in my pocket. So much so there's still one in my pocket now.
Any problems with them?
None for me.
Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
No. I have always thrown them but it's nice to have a disposal technique if you're out at a friends which doesn't have the same issues as wrapping them up in tissues.
Would you continue to buy them?
Maybe but only for the above reasons. They wouldn't be the main way I disposed of tampons.
Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users? I'd talk about them. They are a nice idea.
Any other thoughts? Too expensive. I'd need too bathrooms packets per period.

Sorry I'm a little late leaving feedback!

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?

I found them really easy to use. They are small and discreet and not such an obvious period related product at first glance which was nice as I could just leave them in the bathroom.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them.

I used them at home and on the go so at my learning centre, work and shopping centre. I used the bags to dispose of both tampons and also sanitary towels as they fit in too when rolled up. (I usually get cheapy towels that don't have a wrap with them so rolled them in tissue and disposed of them in a FabLittleBag.)

Any problems with them?

I was a little bit confused with what I'd been sent initially but soon worked it out. I didn't experience any problems with them.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?

Tampons aren't something I use that often and before I'd just flush them down the toilet. This product has made me think about maybe using them some more, especially as I move into a more active job role! I can keep a bag in my pocket nice and discreetly.

Would you continue to buy them?

I would, yes. I think they are a good price and can be used for all kinds of sanitary-ware.

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?

I have already had a few conversations about them when one friend told me she ended up using doggy bags to dispose of her tampons when at her new boyfriends house!

Any other thoughts?

The only thing that would stop me buying this product is that they aren't widely available. I don't shop at Waitrose or Ocado so it'd be nice to see them in supermarkets or boots, for example.

Feedback from myself and 15 yr DD

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
Me: Nice design, not pink and girly! Discrete size and not too crinkly/noisy to use. The loops worked well for one handed operation.
DD: She was also glad they weren't pink and liked the font and general size and design. She also thought they were easy to use and convenient to carry around.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
Me: On holiday as I don't like to flush in foreign loos and I'm mindful of someone else having to empty the bathroom bin.
DD: On holiday, on a school trip and at friends' houses. Places that she might feel a little embarrassed of binning without wrapping in something opaque first.

Any problems with them?
Both: Just the sticky tape. Not a real problem but a bit fiddly to remove the strip and poke that into the bag before getting down to business!

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
Me: probably not
DD: possibly, if I buy the bags for her. She preferred using the bags to wrapping in tissue paper.

Would you continue to buy them?
Not for me, but would buy a stock for DD to have handy when she's out and about.

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
I probably wouldn't recommend them to other women to use themselves, but I would to other mums for their teenage daughters, if the topic came up in conversation.

Any other thoughts?
The price is a little high for my liking. If I found a cheaper version I'd buy those instead.

1. easy to use product - works exactly as advertised.
2. I used them both at home and carried them in my handbag to use at friends' houses. When at commercial premises I used the specific sanitary product disposal bins.
3. The bags worked perfectly for a tampon and the thickness of the material meant that I wasn't concerned about any leakage / marks showing the contents. I found that if I needed to also change a panty liner the fit was a little snug but appreciate the bags are designed for tampon disposal.
4. At home I was more likely to dispose of tampons in the bag, rather than flushing them down the toilet - which would normally be my default.
5. I will either buy these or look for a cheaper alternative.
6. I woukd definitely recommend them to other tampon users but woukd make them aware of the cost

Thank you for letting me try these.

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally? Really easy.
Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them. I used them at home and work. We have a small family bathroom and the bin is used by all including guests so I felt less self conscious while using the bags.
Any problems with them? No issues very easy to use.
Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How? I normally use the bags you can get but they are semi see through so preferred these.
Would you continue to buy them?no as they are very expensive
Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users? Yes
Any other thoughts? A cheaper version would be a monthly purchase for me something around the 1.50-2 mark.

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?

Very easy to use. Very secure and discreet. Really good product.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them

Out and about, especially when using the loo in places where there isn't proper disposal facilities, like at friends' houses.

Any problems with them?

No problems.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?

I would never flush a tampon anyway! They do make disposal a lot easier, but I certainly wouldn't buy them.

Would you continue to buy them?

No, they are way too expensive for what they are. It's expensive enough to deal with periods as it is!

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?

I might recommend them for girls just starting their periods to increase their confidence around disposal, but really I wouldn't consider them necessary for anyone else.

Any other thoughts?

No, thank you for the trial though.

Received our samples about 2 weeks ago

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?

Easy to use & great if you are in a male environment where the facilities are not great

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them

I kept them in my purse/handbag & found they came in handy when we popped into a pub that didn't have any sanitary bins

Any problems with them?
no, found them easy and simple

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons?

I don't think so as I don't feel the price convinces me to change my ways

Would you continue to buy them?
No I wouldn't at this price

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users? I have mentioned them but more as I found them an interesting idea but wouldn't reccomend them at this price at the moment

Any other thoughts? A good idea and lovely style and handy to have in the handbag for occasional use when in a situation but wouldn't say they where financially beneficial to use with every tampon

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?

I found them very easy to use and they fitted nicely into my handbag

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them

I used them whilst out and about and also at home

Any problems with them?

No

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?

Yes i used to just flush used tampons down the toilet and didn't even think there was an issue with that! Now i am a convert and will forever be a binner not a flusher!

Would you continue to buy them?

Yes i would buy the bathroom pack 20 for £2.99 but i'm not sure i would pay £1.99 for the 5 handbag pack! It is however cheaper still to use nappy sacks!

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?

Yes i would

Any other thoughts?

No. Thank you for letting me test these

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
They were very easy to use. I liked how each bag was very small, so it could be easily and discretely stored in my handbag.

Where did you use them?
I used them both at and away from home.

Any problems with them?
I didn't experience any problems with the bags.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons?
I've never flushed used tampons. I found that they made for easier disposal at home since the bag sealed well, as opposed to simply being wrapped in toilet paper.

Would you continue to buy them?
I would continue to buy the bathroom pack if I found them on special offer. I think they are a bit too expensive, especially the handbag size pack.

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
I would recommend these to friends and probably would have some available in my guest bathroom.

I thought they were a great idea - discreet and handy to have for handbag, pocket etc..

I used them at work, out shopping and generally out and about.

Had no problems.

I know I should change my habits and stop flushing! I'll try!

Think they are expensive, so would probably not buy. Has definitely made me think more responsibly about disposing of tampons though.

I'd definitely recommend people consider them.

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
Easy enough to use.

Where did you use them?
I used them at a friends house this weekend. Friend was having a party and I didn't feel comfortable putting my tampon in the bin wrapped in paper and they had a septic tank so can't flush.

Any problems with them?
No. Not at all.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
In some circumstances. I think I would tend to use them at other people's houses mostly. I tend to use nappy bags at home.

Would you continue to buy them?
I think they are expensive. I would buy them every now and then if I was going somewhere I felt I needed them

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
Yes I would.

Any other thoughts?
Not right now. I'll probably think of something later!!

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
Very easy to use, fuss free
Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
Just used them at home this time
Any problems with them?
None whatsoever
Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
I definitely dont flush them anymore and i will be teaching my daughters to do the same
Would you continue to buy them?
Unfortunately not at that price
Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
Not at that price
Any other thoughts?
Make a cheaper no frills option

How did i find it using the fab little bags generally?
They are lovely, especially the keep me and refill me ones, beautiful packet design.
A lot better than flushing down the toilet.

Where did you use them?
Mainly at home.

Any problems with them?
Found closing them difficult, though didn't help that it was Easter holidays and 3 kids always wanting the toilet at the same time.
Will try again next month, when they are at school.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
Yes, would shop around for similar products, or buy these when on offer.

Would you continue buying them?
Need to try again this month as i found them difficult to close.
Probably when on offer.

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
Yes

Any other thoughts?
Would like to see larger bags, especially on heavy days.

(On behalf of my daughter). "very useful for school, for towels as well as tampons".
My daughter has recommended them to one of her friends.

See below for a comment from Martha at FabLittleBag

"Thanks so much for all the amazing feedback - we're so excited to read each and every comment about our FLBs!

We value your input hugely and are listening - We’re really pleased to say that on the back of the comments to date we have decided to factor in an increase to the size of the bags and hope to introduce this later in the year. I am sure you can appreciate that the logistics of such changes can take a while to be scheduled in. Listening to your comments, this change will make it even easier for the larger tampons and for towels. We are also listening to the comments about price - we are keen not to be compared directly to cheap nappy sacks as these add to landfill and offer few of the benefits that our biodegradable specifically designed bags provide. However we appreciate that FabLittleBags represent a new cost to many ( a bit like when baby wipes were first introduced, most people previously just used cotton wool and water, but now a lot of people are happy to buy baby wipes for their convenience and ease of use….) , we are keen to understand at what price point the bags become good value in your opinion and any additional feedback on this would be useful and appreciated."

We received our free samples of fab little bags and had chance to use them more or less straight away, the concept of the idea is fab for disposing of tampons when out and about and they are small enough to fit into your handbag or changing bag throughout the day, I found the opening of the bags to be a little small so if you were using a more absorbent tampon this may be more of a problem. But I simply wrapped the tampon in tissue then disposed of it into the little bag into bin. I probably would buy them again as they changed the way I dispose of tampons but can imagine to some people they may be a little expensive and not very cost effective.

I'd probably think they were better value around £2 for a pack of 20, which would be enough to last me for one period.

I like the idea of a little bit longer and/or wider, to accommodate the super size tampons, but not so big that they'd take pads as well, as then they'd lose the discretion of the small size that's easy to carry around and dispose of neatly. For pads, I'd rather have a choice of a separate larger bag to buy if I wanted that. They often come in their own wrappers anyway, making them easier to dispose of already.

It would be good to make the colour darker at the same time, as the white got messy more easily.

I would want more information about how well they biodegrade - e.g., even when mixed in with household rubbish in landfill?

It would also be helpful if they were available at Boots/Superdrug and at other supermarkets, as that's where I'm most likely to pick up tampons, and hence bags.

thanks for taking the comments on board.

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
I liked them. I really like that they came with a little carry thing too.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
Used them while out of the house especially in places without a sanitary bin.

Any problems with them?
I had a bit of an issue getting the tampon in the bag without getting my hand and the outside of the bag dirty.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
I am thinking more about how I dispose of them now.

Would you continue to buy them?

Probable not, they are very expensive which on top of an already expensive situation is just not viable for me. Although I might consider them for the occasional use for holidays or camping.
The other thing for me is that I would worry about the environmental impact due to them being made of plastic.

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
I would say they are a good product but I'd be honest that the price would put me off.

Any other thoughts

Overall I'm pleased with them but the price which works out as 15p each for the bathroom pack and a ridiculous 39p each for the other pack would put me off. I have reservations about the environmental impact of all menstrating women using plastic to dispose of every tampon they use even though I know that flushing also has very bad environmental impact too!

How did we find the bags generally?
Both found them a good idea but fiddly to use.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them.

Used them at home also while out they are handy but if you aren't careful then bags lose their sticky.

Any problems?

A bit of a faff to get hang of getting the tampons into them and I did manage to lose stickiness.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How? Yes so no more flushing them down the toilet!

Would you continue to buy them?

No probably not becuase of the cost and as you can do the same with a cheap nappy disposal bag.

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?

I would mention them but because of price not recommend them.

Any other thoughts?

Worth trying but costs are rather high.

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
Fiddley and awkward

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
Used them at home (purely to test how user friendly they were)

Any problems with them?
Needs to hands to open, I think blurb said one hand only needed

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
No, I'll still wrap in toilet roll and bin.

Would you continue to buy them?
No. Really don't see the point

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
No

Any other thoughts?
I'm not sure when I would ever have a need for them. I haven't had a single incident in the past where I would have used them.

Answering for myself and my daughter

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
Pretty easy and convenient

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
At home and out and about. Daughter used them at school

Any problems with them?
Not really, although removing the tab to seal the bag was tricky

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
Yes. It'll mean I'm unlikely to flush anymore, even when there is no bin

Would you continue to buy them?
Probably, although they are expensive compared to other sanitary bags

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
Probably yes

Any other thoughts?
Dispensing mechanism for both home and handbag could probably be improved

Very compact great for low flow tampon disposal.

I used them on a works night out and staying in a hotel

Probs was the size could be a bit bigger for larger tampons/applicator.

No has not changed the way in which I dispose of tampons.

Would buy as a one off, nights out, night away from home but not for full use during full length of period. Cost and size not appropriate.

Would recommend to other uses as one off use as stated previously.

Very expensive, OK for one off to keep in handbag. But happier using nappy Bags and tissue for when at home

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?

I found them easy to use. I liked the handbag holder.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them

I used them at work and at home.

Any problems with them?

No - no problems at all. I'd like them to be a bit larger in capacity - while I use tampons all the time, did is getting used to them still, and it would be helpful if they were slightly bigger so that could more easily dispose of towels.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?

I knew that tampons should be flushed, but have to admit that there were times when I didn't have nappy sack to hand. I think will be more likely to bin rather than flush in future.

Would you continue to buy them?

Depends how easily available and how expensive.

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?

Yes.

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally? I thought they were ok but a bit difficult to open
Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them I used them in the bin
Any problems with them? sometimes getting them to open was an issue- they are a bit fiddly
Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How? No because I previously put them in a plastic bag in the bin
Would you continue to buy them? They are very expensive so no
Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users? I would but they are expensive.
Any other thoughts? I think it's a good idea because they are small and discreet but far too expensive.