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.

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?

I liked the idea and the waste aspect behind them, and they were easy enough to use.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
I used them out and about. They were small enough to be kept in my handbag.

Any problems with them?
I don't think the "one fingered opening" that was so applauded in the marketing was actually very useful. I opened them So they were ready to use.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
Yes, I will now bin then rather than flush

Would you continue to buy them?
Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
They are very expensive for what they are so probably wouldn't buy them again.
I would recommend flushing but not buying these bags.

How did u find using...
Ok. Did require two hands but not too much faffing.
Where did you use them...
At home and out and about. Very handy when no bin. Obviously.
Any problems...
No, other than using two hands instead of one.
Have they changed view...
No. I already dispose of tampons and towels in bin and not down loo, so just different method of disposing.
Would you continue...
No. To expensive so on cost/benefit, just not practical.
Would you recommend...
Yes.
Any other thoughts..
I liked the product and could potentially buy to use abroad. Neat and tidy.

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
I found them useful and discreet to use.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
I used them when I was away for the week-end at my inlaws.

Any problems with them?
No problems to report.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
They did make me think about not flushing tampons away...I assumed it was ok to flush them anywhere.

Would you continue to buy them?
I would definitely buy them for going away. It is nice to have a little supply of them in my handbag as well for just in case moments.

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

Any other thoughts?

-Generally found FabLittleBags great.
-I used them at home and at work. I carried them in my handbag when out and left them in each of the loos in my house for when needed (easy to slot into a drawer so no questions from nosy 7 year olds! I used them to dispose of tampons and their applicators.
-They have changed how I dispose of tampons. Before I would flush them down the loo or wrap in toilet roll with the applicator and flush.
-Yes I would buy them as they are easy to discreetly carry when out and about.
-I would recommend them as they are easy to use and I haven't seen anything like them on the market.

Feedback from my daughter

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?

I liked them but found them a bit fiddly to use.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
I used them at school and when out.

Any problems with them?
I found them a bit fiddly

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
Yes, I wasn't aware that you weren't meant to flush them. I will now bin them.

Would you continue to buy them?
Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
They're a great idea but very expensive. I wouldn't buy them myself. I would recommend flushing to my friends if the subject came up.

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?

They were easy to use and easy to transport in various handbags.

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

I used them at work and when I went out in the evening.

Any problems with them?

No Problems

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

I will use them if there is a bin available but would not want to carry around used tampons whether they were in a bag or not.

Would you continue to buy them?

Maybe

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

Maybe

Any other thoughts?

It has made me think about tampons and the impact on the environment but i am not sure this is the solution for me.

Any problems with them?
I think they are too small and hard to use, I struggled to put a used tampon in with just one hand and as this is the USP it didn't really work for me.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
Now that I have a pack I'll use the rest of them, they'll come in handy when I'm at Uni, it is discreet. I think they are too expensive to use on a regular basis, especially since I'm a student for the next two years.

Would you continue to buy them?
No as they cost too much money, my mum said she will but them for me if I need some, she buys me some weekly shopping and might add the odd pack in for me occasionally.

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
I would recommend them to other people if they seemed to struggle with getting rid of their tampons. Someone my mum's age and with an income might be more likely to buy them as hey may have more disposable income than I do.

Any other thoughts
I know that you're not supposed to but I do flush tampons so maybe a better product might be for towels which you definitely can't flush, the bags would need to be bigger but if I were you I'd try to keep the costs down as they won't sell if they're even more expensive than these tampon bags.

Thanks from DurhamDurham's 18 year old daughter, currently doing an adult nursing degree

Any problems with them?
I think they are too small and hard to use, I struggled to put a used tampon in with just one hand and as this is the USP it didn't really work for me.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
Now that I have a pack I'll use the rest of them, they'll come in handy when I'm at Uni, it is discreet. I think they are too expensive to use on a regular basis, especially since I'm a student for the next two years.

Would you continue to buy them?
No as they cost too much money, my mum said she will but them for me if I need some, she buys me some weekly shopping and might add the odd pack in for me occasionally.

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
I would recommend them to other people if they seemed to struggle with getting rid of their tampons. Someone my mum's age and with an income might be more likely to buy them as hey may have more disposable income than I do.

Any other thoughts
I know that you're not supposed to but I do flush tampons so maybe a better product might be for towels which you definitely can't flush, the bags would need to be bigger but if I were you I'd try to keep the costs down as they won't sell if they're even more expensive than these tampon bags.

Thanks from DurhamDurham's 18 year old daughter, currently doing an adult nursing degree



How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?

Very simple. I usually wrap in tissue and pop in the bin.

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

I used them at home and during a long flight 

Any problems with them?

Quite a small opening

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

Yes I prefer this method of disposal and I'm obviously not wasting toilet paper wrapping up used tampons.

Would you continue to buy them?
I would consider it if they were on offer.

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

Any other thoughts? I would've preferred a different colour bag to white and without the Fab little bag logo to make these more discreet.

i thought id commented on this but I had an email. so I got to try these and both me and fellow tester thought they were fab.we deff use again except the price would stop this.
a lovely product for all woman though.could be great for young girls too we found after asking those who had just started their periods and found it all rather overwhelming.
also those heavy cycles this could be great when out.
just actually a great thing for everyone. id use all the time.but couldn't on price

Yes, me too

I'm off on holiday, waiting for cab as I type and pleased to be taking these asdisposa abroad can be dodgy

Q1 I found them easy to use, but did open them first in case one handed was tricky.

Q2. I've been using them on trips into town and when we went to stay at PILS.

Q3. I didn't have any problems using them.

Q4. Yes they have changed how I will dispose of tampons - I would sometimes flush at PILS house as they have no bathroom bin.

Q5. Yes I think I would consider buying them, especially for my daughter when she starts her periods. I think they would be really handy at school.

Q6. If the subject came up I would recommend them.

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
Great item for discreet tampon disposable, opened my eyes not not flushing too.
Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them.
At home and out and about as I'm a full time mum. The handbag pack is great.
Any problems with them?
The opening is quite small, so when using a larger tampon it isn't quite so easy to get it in the bag.
Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons?
Yes definately.
How?
I was a flusher and had no idea that that wasn't the thing to do.
Would you continue to buy them?
Probably not as they are quite expensive but if the were on offer at a more reasonable price then yes.
Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
I would definately recommend if it came up in conversation, altho I would also discuss the price with said friend.
Any other thoughts?
This is a great product, just a shame their not a bit cheaper. Thanks for letting me test it, il look forward to the next.

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
Really easy to use. Handy pick to carry around with you
Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
I took them everywhere with me. I had a pack in my bathroom and carried some in my handbag
Any problems with them?
No they were great
Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
Yes. I haven't bought any more FabLittleBags but I no longer flush my tampons
Would you continue to buy them?
If they were available in the shops I go to then I would possibly buy them
Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
Yes I would definitely recommend them
Any other thoughts?

Answers are from my daughter

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
Good idea, easy to use

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
At school and at home

Any problems with them?
No

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
Yes, its made me aware that tampons shouldn't be flushed-something I didn't realise before

Would you continue to buy them?
Probably not

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
Possibly, depends if it comes up in conversation

Any other thoughts?
I think more people would buy them if they were at a reasonable price

Very practical bags for on the go and at home. More privacy and dignity.
Not sure I would pay full price. Would do for daughter to give her more privacy at school.
No problems with using them. Practically fit into bag or pocket.
Would recommend them to friends and have.
Used them at home and on the go.
Really liked them.

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?

Very easy to use, but a bit on the small side for the torpedo sized tampons I need to use! I really liked the seal, the loops were good and it was great not to be wrestling with a nappy sack.

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

I used them at home, when taking DD out for the day to a wildlife park which had limited disposal bins (1 in each bank of toilets, rather than one in each cubicle), at soft play and at a friends house when meeting for dinner / drinks.

Any problems with them?

They are a bit on the small side. I use super pluses for 3 days of my period which fill fast so it could have been easier to get them in. Having said that I did find that if I was careful I could fit all the tubage and wrapings in the bag too.

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

No, I have always wrapped and binned. I'm very aware of the blockages 'lady products' can cause in sewers etc and the harm they do to wildlife.

Would you continue to buy them?

I'll probably buy them during the school holidays and when I know I'm going to be away. They are really handy and much easier to use than nappy sacks. I'll certainly use them when I am on holiday too. I have also just started buying a pink box which has them in (I discovered happily this month) so am pleased I can carry on using them.

I'll also buy some for my nieces to use when they are at school, they are much more discreet than other bags / wrapping in tissue.

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

I did. When at my friends house I asked if I could pop one in the bin and they were interested in the product, particularly those who travel a lot. The general consensus was that the price point was just a bit too high to use regularly. Periods are expensive enough!

Any other thoughts?

A great product which I will definitely use occasionally.

A larger bag would be good to accommodate the additional litter which often goes with tampon use - the rubbish, the wipes and liners. I did find I used two bags per change, 1 for my tampon and the rubbish and the other for the liner and a wipe.

Also would the company consider donating some to homeless charities, or doing a plain bag? A friend of mine collects products for ladies who are homeless to make periods a little more bearable and I think these could make a huge difference.

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
The bags are quiet and easy to use. Suitable for liners/towels as well as tampons. Great design.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
At work, able to put my liners in and either in the bin or in my bag if no bin.

Any problems with them?
No

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
Yes, before I would flush but these have made me more environmentally friendly with no embarrassment.

Would you continue to buy them?
They are expensive but yes I would. Just the bathroom pack though as more cost effective.

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

Any other thoughts?
These bags are great, handy to have at home and in my bag. I think the price could come down a little though.

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally? - very easy to use
Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them - at home and whilst out
Any problems with them? - no
Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How? - they made it easier
Would you continue to buy them? - probably
Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users? - yes
Any other thoughts? - they were quite stylish and nice to have in my bag.

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?

So easy! What a great idea - I can't believe it hadn't been thought of before. Really happy with these.

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

I used them at work, on the train and at home. Used the little finger loops and it was easy peasy to get the used tampon in. Then sealed it up and threw in the bin. No mess, no fuss!

Any problems with them?

None at all. Brilliant invention!

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

Absolutely! I was a serial flusher but not any more. It's so easy now to dispose of them in a more environmentally friendly way.

Would you continue to buy them?

Yes I will.

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

Yes I'll be recommending them to close friends and relatives.

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
Very useful when out and about and when visiting others at home eg relatives .

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
I found them most useful when visiting family and friends - wouldn't bother if out shopping or whist at work as too expensive.

Any problems with them?
None whatsoever. Very compact, discreet and leak-free.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
I wouldn't buy them if I'm at home, but if away they would be really useful and I could justify the cost.

Would you continue to buy them?
I'll definitely buy them for the events I've mentioned above.

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
Yes, definitely.Also good for teenage girls on weekends away (DofE) or on sleepovers.

Any other thoughts?
I liked them but they would be for occasional use, not for every day of my period. Price is slightly prohibitive.

So easy to use, so convenient. I used them every time when I changed tampon and every where and wasn't embarrassed any more. I knew that nobody will see them through it. I will continue to buy these bags as this is great and easy way of disposal tampons. I will definitely recommend these bags. Thank you for having me in this project and making my life easier.

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
Really easy. I was a serial flusher so this has changed my perspective entirely.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
At home and whilst I was out and about. I kept a pack in the bathroom which I used regularly and carried spare ones in my hand bag. The loops were easy to get my fingers through and I found it easy to keep the bag open with one hand while filling it with the other... With no mess in the process.

Any problems with them?
I did on occasion find it hard to get the sticky tab off but otherwise easy to use.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
It has made me re-think flushing and what damage it can do. I now look for opportunities to bin rather than flush.

Would you continue to buy them?
Yes.

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

Any other thoughts?
No. Thank you for letting me test them out!

I found using the FabLittleBags,okay but abit tricky,rather small. I used them at home. I found them abit difficult to use as they are small and it's rather tricky to put a used tampon into a small bag. I wouldn't buy them,I think the retail price is far too expensive for what they are. I wouldn't recommend them to others.Was happy to try them though,thank you. A good idea,but I don't think it will take off,mainly due to the price. A box of sanitary bags in Superdrug are 89pence for fifty. I would buy them rather than FAbLittleBag. And I am sure a lot of other women would also.

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?

Very easy. I liked the design, and they feel substantial enough to hygienically carry used tampons around in my bag until I got home, without concern about mess or smell.

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

Work loos (where the bins are truly minging and I wouldn't want to touch them with a bargepole), and at a friends house

Any problems with them?

No

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

Not really, as the price is prohibitive, and vaguely ridiculous for a set of plastic bags - although admittedly, they are quite different from nappy sacks.

Would you continue to buy them?

No, because of price.

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

If it came up in conversation (and I can't imagine that this would ever happen, but anyway...) that a friend was hugely struggling with the whole tampon disposal dilemma and couldn't see any other solution, then possibly. But probably not generally, because of the price.