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 found them really easy and simple to use. No fuss and minimum effort.

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

I have used them in the workplace, public toilets when I have been out and about at work and hotel over the weekend. I have not used them whilst being at home.
When toilets have been equipped with a sanitary disposal bin I have disposed of them there. Unfortunately not every public place understands women and I have had to wait to dispose of the bag. Using the bag made me feel much more confident in doing this and was much more hygienic for my handbag.

Any problems with them?
Although I love the pretty design I was a little apprehensive about putting these in the bin in the hotel. I was scared incase the cleaner did not realise what they were and had a nosey. (You never know).

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
It has when I am out in the community with work. It's made it easier for me to not rely on toilets that only have sanitary disposal bins.

Would you continue to buy them?
Yes but only for use for out of the home and when at work. It is diffinately something that I would purchase for my daughter, when the time comes. If I had these has a teenager it would have saved me feeling embarrassed over disposing tampons, especially when travelling abroad.

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

Any other thoughts?
I do feel that the price is a little expensive and for this reason I would only buy a packet to use whilst out and about.

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
I thought they were great. Easy to use and a brilliant idea to an age-old problem! I always wrap in toilet paper, then bin them at home. But when at friends' or relatives' houses, I wrap in toilet paper and take them home...yuk!
Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them I used them when out and about at friends houses and my MIL's house.
Any problems with them? none
Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How? not really. I was never a flusher as I was aware of the impact.
Would you continue to buy them? I'd really, really like to. But £1.99 for 5 (hand bag size) males them 40p each!!! That's ridiculously expensive. The bathroom pack is a little better (£2.99 for 20; so 15p each), but I'm already paying for tampons and pads, so I wouldn't want to spend more. I think they really are a great product. But they are just too expensive. They'd have to cost 5p each before I'd consider paying for them. And for 5p you can get a supermarket polythene bag, which can contain a number of used tampons. Unfortunately supermarket bags not biodegradable.
Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users? if it came up in conversation, I'd mention how fab they are. But I'd turn have to mention the price too...
Any other thoughts? reduce the price and you're on to a winner!!!

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
I'm ashamed to say that I am usually a flusher of tampons, so I had to make the effort to remember to use the bags. They were perfect for their intended purpose though.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
At home and at work. I used them to dispose of used tampons & pantylinrs into the bin.

Any problems with them?
Remembering to use them, and remembering to empty the bin more regularly!

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
I would now consider binning tampons rather than flushing.

Would you continue to buy them?
Possibly, if the price was right.

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
Yes, as they are an excellent solution, and very discreet.

Any other thoughts?
The bags are possibly a little over-engineered. Which is good, but I can't help but feel that they could be made thinner and therefore cheaper?

vHow did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
really great little things.
Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them I used them both at home and when we were out shopping and eating out. they also made putting something in those horrid public bins easier too!!
Any problems with them?
they weren't quite apt enough for heavy flow.
Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How? yes no loo roll wrap up
Would you continue to buy them? no but only because ofprice otherwise yes

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?yes
Any other thoughts?great idea just not viable if your need to buy lots

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?

Fine. I usually use Pop Ins or wrap in toilet roll before binning so am used to not flushing. These are nice and easy and I like the little pack for your handbag.

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

At work. We don't have a specific sanitary bin so I usually have to bury my bags under other stuff. I still did this but felt better about the fact that these aren't see-through so are more private. I'd like them even better if the bags were plain and unbranded. They are much more hygienic than using just loo roll, which obviously seeps after a while.

Any problems with them?

I'm not sure why they emphasise the fact that you can do it all one handed as this isn't really true when you have to remove the sticky strip with your other hand before closing it up. Not a problem, just weird that they made an issue of it.

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

No, it's never crossed my mind to flush and I was shocked to find out how common it is. Some of my friends even flush the packaging too, including the applicator! Mind blown!

Would you continue to buy them?

If they were on offer I might pick some up. I would save them for when I'm out though and just use toilet roll at home as I would feel wasteful using them all the time.

I think they are definitely too expensive for their purpose at the moment. You can get nappy bags from tesco for a ridiculously cheap price so I would imagine most people would choose those as an alternative if they really thought about it. I think with these you are paying for the design not the concept.

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

Yes, probably.

Any other thoughts?

Nice idea, would be lovely for it to catch on. From what I've seen though I don't think most people are bothered by the environmental impact of flushing.

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
Loved them - found them so much more hygenic and `safe' than using loo roll
Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
At home and then at a friend's house. I put them straight in the bin at home but still carried them round with me at friend's house to put in my bin at home
Any problems with them?
Wasn't so sure about using them one-handed
Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
I feel much more positive about binning not flushing. I've been binning for several years, but I still feel horrible about carrying used tampons round with me.
Would you continue to buy them?
Yes, although the price is a bit steep
Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
Definitely
Any other thoughts?
A lower price would be better

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
I found them very easy to use once you have worked out the easiest method for you.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
Any problems with them?
I have used them at home. I found it easier to get them open and ready to use with the strip already ripped off and popped inside the bag. I didn't experience any problems.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
They have definitely changed how I dispose of tampons. I was a 'flusher', I always thought they were bio-degradable and not a problem.

Would you continue to buy them?
I will continue to use them and will tell my DD about them when I have the talk with her soon.

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
If it comes up in conversation, yes. It probably will as my DD's piers will all be having the same conversations with their parents soon.

Any other thoughts?
It would be a good idea if the company did a deal with the tampon manufacturers and the bags were individually wrapped with single tampons. Less to remember, less fiddly.

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?

I really liked their appearance and found them easy to use once I'd practised!

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
I used them at home instead of a nappy bag.

Any problems with them?

Initially I found it tricky to get the sticky but off but figured it out on the second go!

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

I think they're very handy for having at home and I may use them in the future. I always bin my tampons anyway, but these bags are more convenient.

Would you continue to buy them?

Possibly, although I get through a lot of tampons due to heavy periods, so I'd need more than one pack per period.

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

I'd definitely recommend them, especially for staying with other people.

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
Ok, although I have short periods (2/3 days) that are very heavy from start to finish to getting the largest size tampons in it was a bit fiddly.]

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
At home and a couple of times out and about.

Any problems with them?
As I say, with the super plus tampon that often had clots on, it was a bit messy sometimes, so I ended up wrapping the tampon in loo roll first.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
I do try and remember to bin them, but being brought up as a flusher I do sometimes forget, the bag helped me to remember to bin.

Would you continue to buy them?
Maybe for holidays or occasions when I cannot be sure of adequate disposal facilities, but they are too expensive to use on a monthly basis.

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
If they are not struggling with heavy periods then maybe.

Any other thoughts?
I personally think that they are too expensive for what they are, I dont see how the cost can be justified to be honest.

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
^I would of preferred them to come in a plain bag maybe a reusable cloth one that I could refill. The bag containing the bags wasn't discreet enough for my daughter to keep in her school bag.
They were simple enough to use.^

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
At home and out and about. My daughter didn't get on with them so didn't really use them. She couldn't see the point in them and preferred the nappy sacks that we currently use.

Any problems with them?
The sticky bit is too sticky and therefore hinders use.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
No

Would you continue to buy them?
No there are far too expensive for what they are and a bit gimmicky. Nappy sacks do the same job at a fraction of the cost.

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
No I don't think I would as really can't see the appeal or advantage of them.

Any other thoughts?
Thank you for the opportunity to try them.

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
They were good to use and was definitely discreet
Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
I used them at home,and have put the travel pack in my bag
Any problems with them?
When using super plus tampons I found that they were a bit difficult to get in the bag
Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
No I usually use tissue and a nappy bag...which is much more cost effective
Would you continue to buy them?
No,the idea is great and was better than nappy bags but it is just the cost of them
Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
No not really,don't really talk about periods to friends etc
Any other thoughts?
Great product and really convenient but for me to continue to buy them they would need to be cheaper
Thanks for letting me test them though!

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
They were pretty handy to keep in my handbag.
DD (14) found them very useful for school/sleepovers.
Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
I used them at work and out and about. DD used them at school, which was really handy as the toilets are situated in a very busy corridor and open straight out (which annoys me no end).
Any problems with them?
None.
Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
Not really, we never flush them anyway.
Would you continue to buy them?
Yes, for DD. They are expensive so I'm thinking of making them one of my items at Waitrose I can get a discount on, or just stocking up when they are on offer.
Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
Yes, if they were cheaper.
Any other thoughts?
I wouldn't use them every day but they would be brilliant for camping, festivals, concerts etc. and I will continue to buy them for DD as she found them really useful.

I'm answering on behalf of my daughter who tried these. The views expressed are hers.

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?

Not that easy. The pack talks about using one hand and that made me think I was getting something wrong when I had to use two hands to seal the bags.

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

At home (it's half term) but really I wanted to try them to see if I could feel more secure/less embarrassed about periods when at school. But I wanted to practice at home first.

Any problems with them?

Yes, bag a little bit small. You need to aim carefully. I didn't like the colour - too light.

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

No. I would always put them in the bin anyway.

Would you continue to buy them?

Yes. (Well, I'd ask my mum to.)

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

Not sure. But maybe once I get more used to using them myself.

Any other thoughts?

I would really like a bigger version for sanitary towels, maybe a darker colour with no writing on.

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
Easy to use and understand there usage. Neat size, good packaging design esp. for the handbag case.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
I've only used them at home this month. But, I've always been a naive flusher! I thought tampons were biodegradable! And the bins next to toilets were only for sanitary towels! So this product has taught me a huge lesson! I will never flush again.

Any problems with them?
No, pleased with them.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
I thought tampons were biodegradable! And the bins were only for sanitary towels! So this product has taught me a huge lesson! I will never flush again.

Would you continue to buy them? Yes I think they will prove invaluable when outside of my own home. I would purchase them.
Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
Absolutely! If I were in a position where we were discussing something linked to waste disposal, or things I never knew before, but really should have then yes, absolutely.
Any other thoughts?
Get them selling on the sanitary isle in boots and mainstream supermarkets, or free delivery from a website. I don't shop in waitrose very often.

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally? Easy to use and had a good sticky seal. No rustling.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
Used them both at home and when we went camping it made disposing of tampons much easier.

Any problems with them? No
Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How? It made me more conscious about disposal and not just flushing.

Would you continue to buy them?
No for every period but will buy some for festivals/ trips/ camping etc etc when disposal can be an issue. They are very expensive.

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users? Yes for places other than home.

Any other thoughts? Great product but the price would put me off buying for every period.

1. These were so easy to use, could easily do it one handed without issue.

1. At home mainly but also in a pub. Found them really handy. Travel pack is excellent, have left it in my bag.

1. No problems at all. Super easy to use.

1. I've never flushed tampons so it hasn't changed, however these are easier than my usual method of wrapping in toilet roll then into a nappy sack.

1. I will buy again but not for each tampon I use as I've a very heavy flow & would go through them too fast. Will stick to nappy sacks at home but will use these for out & about.

1. Yes. Most definitely would recommend. Fabulous wee product.

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?

Really useful when you're in a situation where you can't dispose of a tampon
Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
I used them at work - we only have a wastepaper style bin and the toilet is used by both males and females.
Any problems with them?
No problems
Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
They would do but the price means that they won't. It's a shame as they are a fantastic product
Would you continue to buy them?
No, only maybe for holidays and special days out as too expensive for use every month
Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
Yes
Any other thoughts?
Lower the price and they would have a fantastic popular product

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

I kept them in my handbag. During this particular period, I was at home, my in-laws', and at my mother's. I was in a few coffee shops and a restaurant too when I needed to make use of them.

Any problems with them?

It took me ages to work out you had to remove the strip inside the bags first. Since this wasn't explained - at least, not that I could find - I'd assumed the allegedly innovative one-handed closing system operated on either drawstrings or in-built magnetic strips. So it became a bit of a faff trying to open the bags as the manufacturers intend.

I'm probably just thick, so apologies if this was just me.

A second issue was that the gap was pretty narrow for when a I was using heavy-flow tampons.

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

I was peripherally aware of the issues with flushing tampons - at a macro level, at least. But the information that came with the FLBs has sort off driven the point home a bit more.

Would you continue to buy them?

Sorry, but probably not. The prices cited for the product are extortionate. If I had had no problems at all with the product, I may have considered buing these for particular occasions - weekends away, holidays, whatever. But given the difficulties I did face, I don't think I'll bother even in those circumstances. Sorry :(

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

I'd gladly mention them if the topic came up, and give the same feedback as I have here. In other words, I'd say that they didn't really work for me, but that mileage varies - they're a good idea, and could work for some women, especially if cost isn't a major concern.

Any other thoughts?

I think they're a good idea in principle. If the sealing mechanism (ahain, apologiesif I'm just really fun) were more intuitive, and the cost less excessive, the bags would be a really decent product. They're certainly compact and discrete, but they need to be more than that for me at least.

One thing testing these has done is shown me that the flushing of tampons has even more repercussions than I'd realised. To that end, I'm finally going to bite the bullet and try a menstrual cup. The people behind FOB haven't convinced me of their product, for which my apologies - but they have convinced me of the need to be green when it comes to sanitary disposal, for which my thanks are due. So I suppose it was a successful trial in that sense!

Thanks for the opportunity, folks.

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?

They were easy to use, attractive, clearly branded and of an appropriate size.

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

I used them at home and out in restaurants etc. In each place there was an appropriate sanitary waste bin, so I placed used tampons in the FLB, and then put the lot in the sanitary waste bin.

Any problems with them?

None - really well designed.

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

No, I don't think they have. I was comfortable using them but felt they were solving a non-existent problem, tbh. I don't think I got into the habit of using them enough so that they become an essential purchase for me.

Would you continue to buy them?

No. I just don't see the need for them, to be honest. I find that most homes and public spaces have discreet disposal bins, so my usual method for used tampons (wrapping in loo roll) is enough. A lower price point would not change this for me.

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

Yes, if it was apparent that they were concerned about tampon disposal.

Any other thoughts?

Thank you for letting me try them. After I used them, I noticed them for the first time in my local Waitrose (Greenwich). They weren't really prominent, and could have been placed better (next to the tampons). Possibly something to consider with merchandisers?

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
Pretty good, only a couple of little things that didn't work smoothly, as mentioned below, but very good on the whole. They're definitely easy to use and handy to take out.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
At home, out shopping, at friends' houses, at family members' houses.
At home I had the bathroom pack in my, erm, bathroom and took the small pack out and about, refilling as needed. I found the design pretty smart and easy to use and the seal very good. When at friends' or family members' houses I brought the used tampons home with me in my bag instead of putting the fablittlebag into their bins. I liked that I could do this without worry of leakage and it made me feel less embarrassed than I would if wrapping and disposing in someone else's bin.

Any problems with them?
As I said above, they're oretty good but the few problems I found were that I had to blow the bag open after opening with with the nifty little finger holes, to ensure the bag opened all the way to the bottom, or my used tampon just kind of sat at the top of the bag and didn't slide all the way in. If I blew to open the bag fully this wasn't a problem. I'd also like the bag to be a little deeper so the string goes in easily without having to push it down.
With regards to packaging, I'd like it to be more discreet - don't put pictures on the outside of the bathroom pack and handbag pack, that makes it more obvious what it is for prying/nosey eyes.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
Yes, I won't flush now I know how bad it is.

Would you continue to buy them?
Not at this price, nearly 15p per bag is too much! If they were cheaper I definitely would though.

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
Yes, with the comment that they're currently too expensive, but a great design.

Any other thoughts?
Make them a reasonable price and I'd buy them every month.

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?

Great! Really well designed, so easy to use.

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

I used them at work. Tampon bins are available and I usually just wrap in loo roll but this made disposal a bit easier and more hygenic

Any problems with them?

None

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

No - I always bin anyway. The vast majority of the time I change tampons at home or at work and bins are available. I was well aware of the problems associated with flushing tampons so very rarely did

Would you continue to buy them?

Possible. I did think they were really well designed and provided a great way to dispose of tampons if no bins are available, especially as you can seal the bag, so that you could put them in your hangbag for disposal later is needed. I think I'll probably keep a pack in my handbag just in case.

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

Yes, if they found disposal to be an issue.

Excuse typos - I hope you know what I meant OK (really must proof-read before posting...)

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?

I found them easy to use, perfect size to fit a tampon and a used applicator.

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

I used them at home and out and about at family member's homes.

Any problems with them?

No.

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

Yes, has made me think more about not flushing tampons.

Would you continue to buy them?

I would probably buy them to keep in my handbag as there has been a few times where no bin is available so the bags are ideal to keep everything sealed to bin later.

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

Yes.

Any other thoughts?

Bit expensive, easier to wrap in tissue and bin when at home.

1. They were fine except I did sometimes struggle to get the tampon string into the bag without touching it, and they could be a bit bigger for the larger tampons.

2. Used at home. I liked the fact they completely sealed the tampon up so I didn't feel the need to empty the bin straight away.

3. Only that mentioned above.

4. No, I don't flush anyway I normally wrap in toilet roll and at the rrp I would continue to do that as they are too expensive to buy regularly. I might keep some in my bag for out and about.

5. I might buy a packet to use when out, but other than that no.

6. Only if the price reduced.

7. Your rrp is too high and the bags need to be a bit bigger.