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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

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

341 replies

AnnMumsnet · 30/03/2016 11:38

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.

FabLittleBag reviews thread; find out what MNers think about the innovative tampon disposal bags NOW CLOSED
FabLittleBag reviews thread; find out what MNers think about the innovative tampon disposal bags NOW CLOSED
FabLittleBag reviews thread; find out what MNers think about the innovative tampon disposal bags NOW CLOSED
OP posts:
ScoutsMam · 06/04/2016 20:50

Honestly - why are there any better than nappy bags? They seem extortionately priced for what they are.

Not see through.
Not all loud and rustley.
Easy to open one handed.
Don't end up everywhere like loose nappy bags did.
They seal.
They're discreet.
They're unscented.

I don't use them at home, just at work. But I have now left some out for guests and have some in my work bag.

Buzzardbird · 06/04/2016 20:55

Are general use nappy bags bio-degradable?

Fourarmsv2 · 07/04/2016 07:44

www.nctshop.co.uk/products/5364/beaming-baby-bio-degradable-nappy-sacks?gclid=CIWLytj1-8sCFTAz0wodDUcORg#fo_c=1121&fo_k=8d01089a2a6b23ab5a00ffad2211128c&fo_s=gplauk

£1.75 for 60 - The perfect partner to our biodegradable nappies and baby wipes, these nappy sacks degrade by 100% in 2-5 years compared to hundreds of years for standard plastic bags. 100% compostable, the nappy sacks leave no harmful residues when they break down.

lilmisslibrarian · 07/04/2016 15:44

Hi, thank you for selecting me to test this product.Here is my review:

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
Very easy, they are simple to use. A lot nicer than wrapping them in tissue paper

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
I used them at home, out in town and at my in laws. I found that I felt more comfortable using them when I was out and they were more discreet. I thought it was good that the bags weren't see through as my in laws have a septic tank and can't flush any items down the toilet.

Any problems with them?
I didn't have any issues with them.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
I never usually flush my tampons normally but I do occasionally if there isn't any bins available. It has made me think more about this.

Would you continue to buy them?
I would like to and would probably buy them if they were on special offer but not regularly due to the cost.

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

Any other thoughts?
They are a good product but I think that many women would be put off purchasing them due to the price.

2006greendragon · 07/04/2016 18:23

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
Preferred using them to the nappy bags I usually use.
Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
Used them at home and at work - I work with a group of 'older' men and try to be discrete about periods, etc.
Any problems with them?
I thought they were a bit small. I use applicator tampons and would like them to be long enough to hold the tampon fully prior to use so I can get the little bag out (of my lunchbox!) to take to the toilet without the men noticing. They might recognise a tampon itself but a little white bag wouldn't attract attention.
Also a bit narrow for getting a heavily soiled super tampon into without smearing sides, or for getting normal tampon and applicator into.
Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
Always thrown tampons away, never flushed, so no.
Would you continue to buy them?
Too expensive.
Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
If they can afford them, or for occasional use.
Any other thoughts?
I know you are using it for advertising, but I'd prefer them completely plain, so maybe the logo could be smaller?

fuctifino · 07/04/2016 19:06

I am answering for both myself and my dd, who is 13. We have a septic tank, so absolutely no flushing at our house!

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
Me - I found them easy to use and very discrete. Easy to pop in the pocket for later disposal, they don't rustle and are not full of air either.

Dd - was initially reluctant and wanted to stick to nappy bags but did take her 'bag packet' to school. She found them easy enough to use and also liked the noiseless element of them.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them.
Me - I used them at home only, I also used them to dispose of rolled up panty liners.
Dd - She used hers in school only but they have sanitary bins in the toilets and she was unsure whether to dispose of in there or the ordinary bin.

Any problems with them?
Both - No problems at all, we were both pleasantly surprised.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
Both - No, because we always throw, not flush out of habit.

Would you continue to buy them?
I would for having in my bag but not for home use. However much I like them, I can't justify spending that much on something that a nappy bag will do for a fraction of the price.

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

Any other thoughts?
No.

StillNoFuckingEyeDeer · 07/04/2016 19:46

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
Much easier than I expected. I didn't really believe the one handed opening claim, but they were actually fairly simple to open.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
At home and at a friends house.

Any problems with them?
No

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
I felt much happier putting my used tampon in the bin in the little bag rather than wrapped in toilet roll.

Would you continue to buy them?
Not for use at home - they're too expensive, but I'd use them if staying at a friends house.

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

Any other thoughts?
Having a period is expensive enough already.

dorotheamink · 07/04/2016 19:55

Thanks for the bags, it was great to test them when the red horse visited this month. I was up for testing them, although slightly sceptical about paying yet more money for bags that I'd still have to remember to take out with me (granted, I could put them with my tampons etc but the bag I use is small).

To answer your questions:

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
They were easy to use and I liked having separate ones to keep in the bathroom and smaller ones to take out with me.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
I used the bathroom ones in...er...my bathroom and it meant I could put the bag in the bathroom bin without any worry of my toddler pulling the bag out and flinging it around in front of visitors. I did take the portable bags with me but found that I had little use for them, as my work has sanitary bins and it felt wasteful (if I had actually spent my own money on them) to use a bag when I could just wrap it in toilet paper and put it safely in the bin.

Any problems with them?
Nope

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
They have made me more aware of the environmental impact if tampons being flushed. At work and at home I would always wrap and dispose but I did flush in other people's homes, due to the whole problem of discrete disposal, which I wouldn't do anymore.

Would you continue to buy them?
No. The price is prohibitive and even though they are biodegradable, something just feels wrong using a separate bag each time (they're pretty small so I couldn't and wouldn't save them up and use more than once as I do with nappies). I could see them being useful if I was going to someone's house for a night away but this is so bloody rare right now. It also feels wrong to be charged money for such a product, when sanitary wear is already so pricey.

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
I think they have their uses when away from home and any normal place which should have sanitary bins.

Any other thoughts?
It's a long time since I was a nervous schoolgirl just starting my period but I would apply the same principle as above: great to have in an environment where sanitary bins are not available, but ultimately a high price to pay.

Being picky, the name irked me. They don't have to be 'fab' for me to buy them, they can be a bit ronseal and just say what they are. I also found them slightly small...I imagine I'm not alone in using tampons by day and pads by night, so fitting a big pad in them wouldn't be easy, which makes them slightly less practical for me.

All that said, it was great to try them and I appreciate this! I will remember them and could see myself maybe having a mini stash for those exciting weekends away (I can dream, can't I?!)

squeakyeggs · 07/04/2016 20:46

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?

I didnt really get on with these- They are too small to fit a super plus extra tampon in without making a real mess, plus you also cant fit a towel/liner in them as well

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

At home and out and about.

Any problems with them?

See above.

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

Yes, but only to realise that nappy sacks/dog bags are the way to go for tampon disposal

Would you continue to buy them?

Unfortunately not. They are too small and too pricey for me to use when I can get 400 dog bags for £4

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

I dont generally tend to talk about tampon disposal with people, but if I were to I would suggest that these are only suited for the smaller tampons.

Any other thoughts?

if there was an extra large size I would potentially be more interested in them.

clockbuscanada · 07/04/2016 21:28

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
I found them really handy. It was a bit fiddly at first to get used to the one handed thing, and also taking one at a time out of the packaging.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
I used them at work when I wasn't sure if there would be a sanibin available. I also used them at home so that I didn't have to change the bin a couple of times every day during AF.
Any problems with them?
I got in a bit of a mess with the sticky strip, it's hard to pop the strip you take off into the bag once it's sticky. I also needed to make sure I had everything to hand before I started the change tampon/put in bag/get new tampon/put applicator into bag process.
Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
I'll definitely use them at friends and relatives houses, especially those who have an open bin or no bathroom bin. It's the sort of thing I might stock up on before a holiday or weekend away if I was expecting AF.
Would you continue to buy them?
Yes, but would only use for the situation above.
Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
Definitely, I don't really talk about this with friends but would perhaps leave a couple in the 'unmentionables and emergencies' basket we have in the ladies' loos at work.
Any other thoughts?
I showed them to my husband he thought they were a good idea but wasn't keen on all the writing on the side. He said he thought they should just be all white or grey/beige all over, except for a discreet web address or logo. I don't really mind how they look as long as they are fairly inconspicuous and just glad they aren't bright pink, really.

OneFlewOverTheChickenHutch · 07/04/2016 21:53

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
I thought they were a great idea, very discreet - the husband didn't realise what they were
Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
Both at home and out and about when there were no sanitary bins available.
Any problems with them?
No, Easy to use.
Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
Before testing these I didn't know you weren't supposed to flush tampons.
Would you continue to buy them
Probably not, the price seems quite high.
Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
Again, probably not they are currently too expensive.

deepbreath · 07/04/2016 22:06

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally? I found them much easier and less rustly than nappy sacks.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them. I have only used them at home so far, but would use them away from home. I have a bathroom bin and these are great as they're small, opaque and don't puff up with air and fill the bin!

Any problems with them? I tried them with different kinds of tampons and found it a bit more tricky with Tampax pearl.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How? I have binned mine for as long as I can remember anyway, but hate the idea of someone seeing them in the bin. I end up using a tree's worth of loo roll and a couple of nappy sacks, which are far from environmentally friendly.

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

Any other thoughts? I agree with other posters that they could be slightly larger as I can see that some varieties of tampons wouldn't easily fit in the bag.

Dd was also chosen to try these, but she hasn't had the opportunity to use them yet. She was a mixture of interested and a bit grossed out, but she is 13 and still very new to periods and having to deal with them.

inlawsfromhell · 07/04/2016 22:34

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?

Really easy to use, nice design and convenient

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

I used them at home and whilst out and about. I used at home because I've got a cold so knew I wouldn't be going out much.

Any problems with them?

Yes, if they were slightly larger 2mm I would of been able to dispose of the head of the tampon applicator in the pack also without having to squish it in (slightly messy)

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

I will no longer have to flush if the out and about and no bins I cant touch public bins.

It has made the experience better and more discrete.

Would you continue to buy them?

I would but I do find the price high I feel if an extra 5 pouches were in the pack most people would be happy with this.

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

Most definitely and when my DD's are older I will be giving them some.

Any other thoughts?

Just the extra 5 pouches ideally ten but five is adequate and extra 2-3mm a above. I love the packaging of the pouches and they would look more effective to people who care what things look like if the HandBag Pack pale green leaves on the side were also on the pouches but I don’t care what they look like so long as they are not pink and overly girly.

Pimientos100 · 08/04/2016 08:17

Wow wow wow, I never thought I would ever find myself raving about what is essentially an extremely mini sealable bin bag, but these are amazing!
Embarrassingly, being a serial flusher I had never really thought about the process of disposing of used tampons. When I applied for the trial, I was of the opinion that surely it's just gonna be a pack of expensive nappy sacks, how wrong I was! These are far superior and so well though out, and what a fantastic product to help the environment!
Questions:
1.I found them amazing for out and about. They are a handbag essential now, as they make disposal so easy and hassle free. I probably would just use nappy sacks in the house though.

  1. I used them when out and about, so at friends houses and anywhere there wasn't a sanitary bin. The finger loops are so clever, so there is no mess and they can be tightly sealed and stored in your bag until you get to a bin. Genius!
  2. No problems
  3. I have definitely changed my habits for life. If nothing else this trial has certainly made me question how I dispose of used tampons, I will never again flush them. This product really does offer a great, hassle free solution.
5.i will probably continue to buy them, but as I said I would use nappy liners in the house. I know these are not biodegradable like the fab little bags, but it would be too expensive to buy them for everytime!
  1. I have and will continue to shout from the roof tops about this amazing little product. It's one of those genius inventions that you never knew you needed until you got it, and now I wouldn't want to be with out them.
Thank you so much for allowing me to be part of this trial, it was a rare opportunity for me to totally change my habits for the better.
margaritasbythesea · 08/04/2016 08:39

I've changed my mind about these from thinking they are a good idea for out and about to thinking they are indeed fab. Have just got through my first period using them and I will be buying them again. I hadn't realised how much tampon disposal had bothered me bit I love how thee do the job so neatly.

Nappy bags are nowhere near as good as they are transparent.

JoolsSchmools · 08/04/2016 12:37

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
Very easy to use and great for keeping in my bag for when needed.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
I used them on a train which was a godsend. Disposed of it when I got off easily.

Any problems with them?
I didn't but I am lucky to not need to use super strength or towels often. I can imagine the bags would struggle with towels.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
It has jogged my mind more more not to flush them when out and about

Would you continue to buy them?
I would if they were a bit cheaper. At the minute they are too expensive for use every time I dispose of a tampon. I will also probably stick with nappy bags when at home due to price

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
I would recommend them for use when out and about and not always able to dispose easily. At the current price point I wouldn't recommend for every day use.

Any other thoughts?
Thanks for the opportunity to try these.

ImperfectAlf · 08/04/2016 12:46

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
Really easy. they don't take up much room in my bag.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
I used them mostly when out and about.

Any problems with them?
Not really. They rustle a bit, but so doe nappysacks.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
I was a flusher. I would still prefer that, frankly. Hopefully I won't need anything much longer.

Would you continue to buy them?
No.

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
Probably to my autistic nice. she loved them.

Any other thoughts?
They are very expensive for what they are.

Bogeyface · 08/04/2016 13:05

I added my feedback above, these are my DD's answers.

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
Hard to get the plastic off the sticky strip, which made the one handed use a bit awkward. Apart from that they were fine

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
At home, at a relatives. Both times use them to bag and bin rather than taking them away with me.

Any problems with them?
No, apart from the sticky strip mentioned above.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
No as I have always been a binner anyway, but I did appreciate having something that wrapped them properly.

Would you continue to buy them?
Not for every day use because they are too expensive to use regularly and it would be a large chunk of my pocket money. I might buy them to use on holiday or for day trips etc.

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
For travelling etc, I wouldnt recommend them for every day use because of the cost.

Any other thoughts?
I like that the packaging was fairly neutral

fourmonthstogo · 08/04/2016 15:01

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?

Pretty easy to use, they'd fit the applicator and wrap from my new tampon too which was good. I liked them.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
I tried them at home and when away for the weekend, which was great as the house I was staying at didn't have a bin liner. I probably would have flushed without the bag to put it in.

Any problems with them? Nope.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
Not at home where I will continue to wrap in loo roll, but I am likely to use them when away instead of flushing.

Would you continue to buy them?
Possibly for when away, def not at home. They are expensive.

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

Any other thoughts?
Thank you for the chance to try them!

Lotstodo · 09/04/2016 08:44

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
Really easy to use and convenient to carry.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
I used them mostly out and about and were mostly really handy when using toilets in friends houses.

Any problems with them?
None at all.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
They took the worry out of not knowing if I could dispose tampons easily enough when not at home.

Would you continue to buy them?
I would like to as they are a really good idea but they are quite expensive.

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

Any other thoughts?
They are good to have for emergencies but are probably too expensive for constant use for each disposal.

ataraxia · 09/04/2016 09:48

Tester

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
Useful design

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

Any problems with them?
Remembering them to take them with me. Concern they would be conspicuous if not carrying a bag to put them in.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
Yes, made me much more conscious of not flushing them

Would you continue to buy them?
No, too expensive and don't think it is a huge problem when there are usually special bins at work/in public and can use toilet paper at home

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
Any other thoughts?
Like the design but feel like it might be better for other purposes e.g. slightly larger for sanitary towels or nappies

PiaMaria79 · 09/04/2016 10:39

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
They were really easy to use and convenient to have in my bag albeit whilst we were out an about I didn't need them

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
I used them whilst we were on Easter break staying with family where the bin can easily start to smell as its in a warm place and conventional ways of disposing tampons wasn't enough (especially a great idea during those hot summer months where everything starts to smell really fast after being dropped in the bin!)

Any problems with them?
The opening can be rather challenging when you need to try and put a large, soaked tampon in it but other than that no

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
It gave me an idea rather than changed my ways

Would you continue to buy them?
For the price of the product probably not unless I see them heavily discounted. I do feel a nappy bag that you can get 2 X 200 for a pound at the local pound world doesn't the same job for a fraction of the price

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
I would let them know that there is such a product out there but would also tell them about the current price of the product

Any other thought?
Lovely invention, works well, does its job but price needs to be driven down. And you for the chance!

pigsinmud · 09/04/2016 11:54

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?

I found them fiddly. I liked the small out and about pack.

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

I've used them mainly at home, but in a public loo too. They were immediately placed in the bin.

Any problems with them?

I found them fiddly and too small. I quite often change a panty liner at the same time and have the tampon applicator to get rid of. It doesn't all fit in the little disposal bag.

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

No. I have never flushed tampons. I buy sanitary disposal bags which are cheaper and bigger.

Would you continue to buy them?

No. Too expensive and didn't like them.

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

No. I'd recommend the usual bags I get.

Any other thought?

Sorry, but I think they're pretty rubbish. So expensive and so small. I spent too long trying to squeeze everything into it. Much prefer my usual sanitary disposal bags. Sometimes I use dog poo bags...made of corn starch and completely biodegradable!

CrotchetQuaverMinim · 09/04/2016 12:15

Finally my time to try them out and review.

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
I liked them more than I thought I would, actually - I was skeptical that they'd really be any better than any other solution, but I found them helpful. I liked that they were thick and opaque, though I could have done without the writing on them, and that they felt waterproof enough that if I'd had to carry them around after, I could have. They were not quite long enough - a super tampax just fit, but the applicator was often a bit long and took a bit of pushing for it to fit. You couldn't put anything else (e.g., the adhesive strip or the wrapper from the next tampon) in first, or the used tampon wouldn't fit. You had to aim relatively carefully, particularly if it was a very heavily used one, or it could get messy. The finger loops worked well, but you still had to set it down in order to unwrap the new tampon with both hands, so it was better not to have taken off the sticky strip first, or it would seal up while you were unwrapping the new one.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
Both at home and when I was out and about. The places that I was in always had disposal bins in the cubicles, however, so I never had to carry the used bags around with me afterwards.

Any problems with them?
On a couple of them, the finger loops came unattached, so they were harder to use. It was sometimes hard to pull just one out of the packet. Refilling the handbag container was less convenient that I hoped, as they didn't fit that easily and were harder to pull out individually afterwards. They were not quite long enough.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
I normally wrap in loo roll and bin, which wastes a lot of loo roll, so I'd consider using these if they were cheaper. I would only buy one packet at the current price, and save them for those instances when I was out and about in a place with no bin, and I had to carry the used ones around with me, as they were much better than either loo roll or nappy sacks for that! I would probably use them more regularly if they were cheaper, as it was much less messy than lots of loo roll, and more discreet than nappy bags that are see through. I would be somewhat concerned about how biodegradable they are compared to just using loo roll. I know they say they are, but not sure about what conditions are needed and how it compares to other solutions.

Would you continue to buy them?

If they were cheaper, yes, if I were convinced on the biodegradability. If they were easily available in supermarkets and chemists.

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

Yes, if it ever came up in conversation!

Any other thoughts?
Was pleased generally about how much less mess it made than loo roll, and how much smaller/more opaque/quieter/better sealed they were than nappy sacks, which made more of a difference than I expected to the whole process of dealing with disposal. If more people used them, the bins in public loos would be less disgusting to use!

CrotchetQuaverMinim · 09/04/2016 12:22

p.s. Also very glad that they weren't a) pink, and b) fragranced !!