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.

[rubyslippers]

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?

fine - the easy opening and loops are a good help. Ergonomic and simple design
Colour is a bit lairy. Not keen on Limey green ....

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

Both at home and out and about. So easy to take out with me - I usually use nappy bags at home so these are much smaller to store in a bathroom cupboard or take out in make up bag.

Any problems with them?

None

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

ive never flushed them but these bags are a lot tidier than nappy bags to use . A lot of people do flush and more that can be done to change that, the better

Would you continue to buy them?

Yes for when I'm out and about - not sure about home as I can wrap more easily in tissue

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

Maybe! I don't talk to mates about periods - my DD is too young at the moment but would certainly get her some when the time comes

Any other thoughts?

A good and innovative product but too pricey to use all the time
Also be good to have two sizes so that you could also use to dispose of pads

Thanks for choosing me to be part of the trial

[Babymouse]

*How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
I liked using the bags after I got a hang of using them!

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
I used them when out and about. Mainly when I was at places without easily accessible bins or at friend’s/family members that don’t have bins in the bathroom. I like how they seal completely and the fact that you can’t see/smell what’s inside. I was able to stick a used bag in my handbag and for once didn’t have to worry about anyone knowing that there was any used tampons in my bag waiting to be disposed somewhere else.

Any problems with them?
It took me awhile to get a hang of opening them and I once made the mistake of rolling a panty liner with the sticky side out and trying to put it in the bag (bad idea – it stuck to the sides and pretty much made the bag unusable!)

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
I will definitely use these out and about in the future, especially when traveling. It is a really neat and tidy way of disposing of tampons and I like how it is a disposal method that leaves no obvious trace of what is inside the bag. The price is too high really to use them at home however.

Would you continue to buy them?
Yes

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
Definitely – especially to women who travel a lot.

Any other thoughts?
I would have loved these as a teen and I will definitely let the young women in my life know about them. I personally used to flush tampons a lot when I was younger as I didn’t want anyone to know I was on my period. If I had these bags I wouldn’t have flushed my tampons.

[Misseuropadiscodancer]

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
They were discreet and easy to use, once I'd got the hang of them.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
I generally used them at work, it made disposal much easier, being able to seal and dispose safely and discreetly


Any problems with them?
No problems, although it took me a while to work out how to seal the on the first occasion (more me than the product)

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
Using them makes me feel more confident with disposal when out of the house

Would you continue to buy them?
It would be useful to have a supply, so I suppose yes.

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

Any other thoughts?
Useful product

[purplepandas]

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
Convenient and easy to use.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
Work and out and about. I didn't bother at home as I have a bin that I use. It's more for when there is not an easy place to dispose of tampons.

Any problems with them?
No, all was good.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
Yes if there is no place to bin them. I like the idea of these generally (even if a bin) but they are rather expensive.

Would you continue to buy them?
Maybe as a back up for out and about. I would not want to buy them every month though so would keep for times where lack of bin. They are pricey.

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

Any other thoughts?
Price is an issue.

[Pickofthepops]

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?

Really handy - spending a lot of time with parents and family - disposing of tampons always tricky, I never know when I'll be needing to use them as technically breakthrough bleeding on mini pill rather than period.

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

At parents - used to dispose of tampon in small bin. And at home as toilets don't flush well.

Any problems with them?

None at all.

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

Yes.

How?
I will probably default to using these as I know flushing isn't great.

Would you continue to buy them?

Yes I shop at Waitrose and Ocado
So that's handy.

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

Yes

Any other thoughts?

Larger packet sizes to refill with.

[lolapops1]

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
They were good to use,better than wrapping in toilet paper.
Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
Used them at home and at other peoples homes.
Any problems with them?
Found the opening quite small.
Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
No but it did make it easier.
Would you continue to buy them?
Not at the price they are at.
Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
I would only recommend if they dropped the price,but the idea of them is a good one.
Any other thoughts?
A bigger size for sanitary towels would be good. Cheaper price would encourage me to buy them and also recommend them.

[saltedcaramelhotchoc]

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
Easy and convenient - no instructions, but very simple to use.
Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
I used them out and about and at work (not at home where I have a bin).At work the bin is outside the cubicle (!) so these were perfect for this.
Any problems with them?
None!
Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
Not really as I have never flushed tampons but they made life at work easier.
Would you continue to buy them?
Yes, to use at work/at people's houses without bins in the bathroom.
Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
Yes.
Any other thoughts?
They are quite expensive - I would buy them again, but I would use them very sparingly for emergencies when out and about, whereas if a tad cheaper, I would use them at home too I imagine.
Thank you for allowing me to test them!

[KeepOnPlodding]

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?

I liked them. Easy to use, much more discrete in the bin than a tampon wrapped in toilet paper. On the occasion that I had to pop the full bag back into my handbag I didn't worry about the mess or the smell.

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

I used them at a friend's house where there wasn't a bin in the bathroom. I can imagine using them when camping, on holiday and when staying overnight at someone's house etc.

Any problems with them?

A bit fiddly with a very 'full' super-plus tampon but otherwise fine.

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

Not really as I wasn't ever a flusher. However I would keep a packet in my handbag/suitcase. They are a much nicer way to dispose of a tampon outside of the home where there isn't a sani-bin.

Would you continue to buy them?

I would probably buy them even though they are expensive. I would still use cheap bags at home but would definitely use these when out and about.

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

If it ever came up in conversation then probably yes.

Any other thoughts?

A different (darker) colour bag might be preferable.

[AdmiralCLingus]

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
I found the packaging really difficult to open, and once I was in (after shredding the wrapping!) I found the bags quite difficult to use one handed. I couldn't get the tampon in easily and the sticky strip didn't stick. I also found that on the heaviest days where I needed a towel and a tampon, there wasn't enough room to dispose of both in the bag.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
I use them at work and at home

Any problems with them?
I couldn't open the packaging, I struggled to open the bag one handed, the sticky strip didn't seal the bag and they weren't big enough to dispose of a towel aswell when I needed to.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
No, I'll probably just continue to bin them.

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

No on both counts. Too expensive and too difficult to use!

Any other thoughts?
If they were bigger so a towel could fit in too I might consider buying them again. Perhaps a little practice at using them might make them easier to use!

[31weeksgone]

Thanks for sending me some to test!



How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
I quite liked the idea of the product and they did come in handy, but they were quite flimsy to open one handed I thought. Perhaps I'm just heavy handed. I didn't like the bright green colour.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them. I used them at home in the bathroom as we have an open bin so can see the contents, and I used them at the swimming pool to dispose of.

Any problems with them?
They are quiet small, a tampon can expand to be quiet big to try and dangle into a small bag. Didn't like green colour. Bit flimsy.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How? I have stopped flushing through knowledge, and they improve th look of my bathroom bin!

Would you continue to buy them?
Yes, but only for special circumstances such as one for use in swimming bag/one for use at work or on holiday/at a friends house, not for general house use.

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

Any other thoughts? Would love a sanitary bag version that's you cannot see through as all pad bags are see through, and would love a one handed opening sanitary towel bag.

Thanks for letting me try, I've never been picked for anything before

[torthecatlady]

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
Easy to use. Also neat and discreet for my handbag. A great idea and very useful!

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
I used the bags at home (instead of wrapping in tissue) and out and about shopping, at friends houses and at a restaurant.

Any problems with them?
Finger loops a tad fiddly once holding a tampon with other hand! Remedied this by opening bag first!

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
*Yes! I didn't realise that you shouldn't flush. I would only use a bin when provided. With the bags, I could wrap it for later.
*

Would you continue to buy them?
Only for travelling or for using out and about, not at home. They are too pricey for full time use!

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
Only people who I know would appreciate the concept and would not mind the cost.

Any other thoughts?
I would love a towel sized bag for when I don't use a tampon, or when I use both.
Also, I would prefer a scented option, particularly if I had to keep hold of it in my bag until finding a bin!
All in all, a good product and happy to trial it!

[Esoresila]

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
They were extremely useful- no more wrapping in loo roll to discard used tampon!
Where did you use them?
At home mainly but also used them out and about shopping and on a day trip.
Please describe how you used them
Found the one finger action very useful so not too messy
Any problems with them? None
Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? Yes How? I was a flusher
Would you continue to buy them? Yes but the extortionate price is a put off
Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users? Yes I certainly would!
Any other thoughts? The concept is a brilliant one but as with all feminine products the price is stupidly high women on budgets certainly can't afford these if like myself have a 'lengthy' period!

[lottietiger]

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
very easy, they are small lightweight and discreet
Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
I used them at home, on the train and when away for the weekend.
Any problems with them?
no, none on lighter days a little mess on a really heavy day
Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
yes, they have made me think of not flushing even when its the easy option.
Would you continue to buy them?
not for day to day but definitely for camping/caravanning/long haul holidays where bins are not available.
also great for other peoples houses.
Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
yes I would.
Any other thoughts?
great idea but just a bit expensive for every time usage, will definitely have a pack in my suitcase & handbag for the future though.

[SyedaAkbar]

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
Really easy to use

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
Used them when i was out n about in public toilets

Any problems with them?
No problems

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
I've always thrown them in the bin so no change

Would you continue to buy them?
Maybe if they are on offer as they are a bit expensive

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

Any other thoughts?
Nicely thought and designed product

[Ilovenannyplum]

1. I thought they were OK, not dissimilar to using a nappy sack (which I have in abundance thanks to DS)
   
   
2. I used them at home, and whilst out. Used as per instructions. You literally can't go wrong with them....
   
   
3. no problems, easy to use. They are however just fancy nappy sacks, I don't know if I would pay for them when I have something already that (in my opinion) works as well as these.
   I can see the benefit though for when you are somewhere where there isn't the facilities for disposing of sanitary items and these would be more discreet then previously mentioned nappy sacks

[Missydurrani]

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
I loved them so practical for when you're out and about.
I loved the handles but for some reason every time Iut my fingers in one of the handle snapped every single time but never mind.


Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
Any problems with them?
I used them out and about in public toilets and in a friends house but not when I was home as I could easily wrap in nappy sack and dispose.
I found the opening a bit small for heavy absorption tamping and the finger handles kept snapping.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
Would you continue to buy them?
Nope. I always dispose them and never flush no matter where I am.

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
Any other thoughts?definitely but they're a bit expensive so only for out and about.

[DefinitelyNotElsa]

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
They were small enough to carry around discreetly. They did the job they're designed to do! Much easier than using tissue paper.

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

Any problems with them?
Sometimes I found them a bit fiddly to open and get the tampon in - particularly on heavier flow days.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
I definitely will make more of an effort to throw tampons away from now on.

Would you continue to buy them?
Probably not. I don't think the cost is worth the benefit. Biodegradable dog poo bags or nappy bags would be more cost effective.

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
Yes, if they asked about them.

Any other thoughts?

[AngryEmoticon]

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
I usually use nappy sacks and I found FabLittleBags much sturdier and I liked the sticky closing which felt very secure. However they were too small and I was no way able to use them one-handed, tbh I didn't see how or why that was meant to be such a great thing.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
Only at home as I had no need to be out and about for long periods those days.

Any problems with them?
I tried to use the advertised finger loops for one handed use and just found myself in a bit of a fingers and thumbs mess. I gave up and just used them as a "normal" bag.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
No, because I bagged and binned anyway.

Would you continue to buy them?
I might buy for occassional use, to keep one in my handbag for use in an emergency when I couldn't bin. But the price would prohibit regular use.

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
Yes, but only as a sturdy secure disposal bag, not because of finger loops etc. And only to women I knew were rich!

Any other thoughts?
I wondered if I was using them "wrong". A short video clip showing how they're meant to be any different to any other bag might help.

[AugustRose]

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?

I really liked them, they were easy to use.

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

At home mainly, and out and about.

Any problems with them?

Not really, I think they were only just the right size for the Super tampons, so maybe a a little bit longer would be better.

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

Only in that they gave me something to put them in, I always put them in the bin anyway.

Would you continue to buy them?

I think they are a bit too expensive to buy all the time. I will probably buy some for when we go on holiday and might consider them again if DD starts using tampons.

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

Yes I would but I think the cost would be prohibitive for most women/girls I know.

Any other thoughts?

They are a nice idea, I like the design and I thought the handbag pack was good.

[ScoutsMam]

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
Great. Simple to use, unscented and easy to carry. I like the little handles.
Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
I found them ideal for when working in places with portaloos, no bins, shared sex facilities and other peoples houses. I won't use them at home as they are expensive for what they are. However it has made me aware that I shouldn't be flushing my tampons at home and I'll use nappy bags there.
Any problems with them?
No.
Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
I was always taught that one of the benefits of tampons was that I could flush it, packaging and all. I now know that's not a good idea.
Would you continue to buy them?
Yes, for work and outside of the home.
Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
Already have, some of the women at work have the same problems I did so I did give a few away for others to try.
Any other thoughts?
If they were cheaper I probably would buy some for the bathroom and to leave out for other guests. As they are I'll probably buy a bathroom pack every now and then for use when out and about.

[bicky]

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 work, at home, I kept a couple in my bag when out and about

Any problems with them?

No none

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

Yes they make you aware of not to flush

Would you continue to buy them?

If the price is ok

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

Yes

Any other thoughts?

Would recommend

[ChannelFiftySeven]

I found the bags fairly straight forward to use. The little loops were a good feature and he bags themselves are made of good quality material. I found getting the tampon into the bag a little tricky/ messy on my heavier glow days.

I used the bags at home and also when I visited family.

The only problems I had was the issue when my period was heavier. The bigger tampon didn't fit brilliantly and it was all a bit messy trying to get it in the bag.

Being involved in the product test has made me more aware of how I dispose of tampons. I didn't know the full impact flushing has on the environment.

I wouldn't buy this product as a regular, necessity. I might buy a pack when doing a lot of travelling and / or going to places where I'm not sure what facilities will be like.

I don't think I would recommend them to others.

[Goodnamesalltaken]

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
They were pretty easy to use, and I found them quite convenient to have in my hand bag for when i was somewhere that didn't have a bin.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
I used them at home, so I didn't flush. I also used them at a friends house.

Any problems with them?
I didn't have any problems with them, found the one handed aspect quite good.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
Yes I will definitely be using the bin and not flushing anymore and will when my own DDs start their periods will tell them we don't flush but bin!

Would you continue to buy them?
Probably not as they are too pricey and periods are already expensive. Nappy sacks would probably work just as well but not look as discreet i guess.

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
I would recommend them to other women. But the price would be off putting for some.

Any other thoughts?
The design was good and it was very discreet and I did like using it. It made me think more about not flushing and binning instead.

[dstill1964]

Great idea. Took a while for Daughter to fathom out how it worked lol Used instead of nappy sacks we usually use in case there is no access to a bin. Would recommend them and see a benefit in being able to discreetly carry them. May purchase again depending on cost.

[Hopezibah]

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?

Simple to use and discreet enough pack to carry out and about

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

on a day out when otherwise would have been forced to flush. Also at a friends house to avoid using their bin.

Any problems with them?
Nope.


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

I never knew about the problems with flushing before this. So now i am far more aware and would not want to flush anymore.

Would you continue to buy them?
possibly. I use both tampons and towels - so wouldn't get through too many but handy to have some available when needed.

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

yes - handy product to have which is less messy and more convenient than other options.

Any other thoughts?