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?
Very handy, hygenic and easy to use.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them.
I used them at home instead of wrapping in tissue.

Any problems with them?
No major problems. Could be a little deeper maybe.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
Not really, I always bin anyway.

Would you continue to buy them?
Not on a regular basis - too expensive. Might purchase though for holidays.

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
Yes I would. Useful product for out and about or holidays.

Any other thoughts?
Nope. Thanks for the sample.

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?

They were easy to use

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

Just generally - at home mainly as at work we have a proper disposal bin.

Any problems with them?

None I can think of
Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?

I was always a binner anyway but it's nicer to use a bag rather than toilet roll!
Would you continue to buy them?

Probably not as the price is quite expensive - I don't really want to pay more for the bag than the tampons themselves. Maybe a jumbo pack or if on offer?

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

Yes, if they wanted something like this.

Any other thoughts?

Whilst the one handed opening thing is good I've never really found this to be a problem that needs fixing. As I've got to get the tampons out of my bag anyway using two hands I get a nappy bag etc ready at the same time using two hands.

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?

Neat and easy to use. Impressed.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
At home. I used to flush and it was good to change my ways. They would be best for out and about especially is visiting friends and family.

Any problems with them?

I think they could do with being a bit bigger and the sticky closure could be stickier. It was easy to reopen which you don't really want happening. I agree with others that a discrete dark colour scheme may be better. It basically advertises what it is on the packet. Not really what you'd want to see in the bin.

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

Made me more switched on to binning rather than flushing. A product for towel dipsosal would be good too.

Would you continue to buy them?

To expensive really so only if on holiday or spending a weekend at someone's house.

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
Yes.
Any other thoughts?
Stickier fastening, bigger, dark plain design and cheaper.

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?

a little awkward but once I worked it out, all good!

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

At home. We have a lidded lined bin for mine and dds sanitary disposal. I do tend to flush tampons (sorry ) as there's no wrapper, unlike towels, that you can wrap them in. So it's stopped me flushing
I did take them to work but forgot that of course, we have proper disposal bins so I didn't waste the bags

Any problems with them?

None

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

At home yes and also, I'm going on holiday in 2 weeks and due another periof whilst away. Will be SO NICE to be able to hygienically and discretely and kinda Un yuckily whilst in a hotel room.
I hate that I've previously left used tampons wrapped in loo roll for the maid to dispose of

How?
I've not flushed

Would you continue to buy them?

Probably if I see them on offer

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

If it came up but to.be honest, being late 40's we don't really talk.periods. been there/done that

Any other thoughts?

Expensive

DD also had a test pack
Dd is an awkward mare who has decided she's not using tampons currently. However, she has stashed a bag or 2 around her bags and "stuff" and plans to use them to dispose of sanitary towels and pantie liners if she is at her boyfriends.
this whole tester brought up the fact that she has her 1st boyfriend, he is the older of 2 boys, they share the family bathroom as paren't have an en suite so actually, she's avoided changing her towel there as, although her boyfriend knows when she has a period, she wouldn't want to leave a used.towel in his and his younger brothers bin! Nor a pantie liner. So she plans to do some tight rolling of towels or.liners if need be

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally? I found them convenient to use, nice and straightforward.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them. Mainly at home, as I forgot to put them in my bag for first couple of days. But once I remembered, I used them at work. I would put the used tampon in, and then pop in the wrapper and applicator from the new tampon before sealing up and disposing.

Any problems with them? None that I can think of.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How? Yes, as I'm sorry to admit that I have been a flusher up to this point. This has meant I haven't flushed any tampons this month.

Would you continue to buy them? I'm afraid not, purely due to the price, which I feel is quite steep.

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users? I would recommend the product itself, but again would be put off recommending due to the price.

Any other thoughts? None, except thanks for the opportunity to try.

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?

Generally, I thought they were really good. I liked the concept and the design and they are very discreet to have in your bag or bathroom

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
I've used them in my own home, relative's homes and work. In my own home I used to bag and bin, in others I have bagged to take away and dispose and at work I used mostly just because I was given this sample to try

Any problems with them?
No problems, I really liked the strip and found it pretty robust. In terms of size, it was just about right

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
I never flush, always bin. But I do like the added level of discretion for binning even in my own home. I have bought bags before in Boots to use but these were just like coloured nappy sacks (and loud!). FabLittleBags were quieter and more pleasant to use

Would you continue to buy them?
Possibly not all the time, I would need to buy from the internet as Ocado don't deliver here and I'm not near a Waitrose. That would mean I'd need to make a special order. I would perhaps do that for a holiday but I'd be more inclined to consider to have stashed in my cupboard if I could pick up somewhere local to me

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users? Yes I would although I'm not entirely sure I can imagine how / when this topic would come up!

Any other thoughts?
Thanks for the opportunity to try these out, hopefully I'll see these for sale locally soon

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
Easy, convenient and hygienic
Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
Used at work and also at dps house. Better for putting in handbag/his bin than wrapping in loo roll. Far more discrete - nappy bags etc tend to be see through Whereas you'd not know what is in these.

Any problems with them?
Nope

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
I always bin anyway unless absolutely nowhere else to put them. These make the need to ever flush unlikely.

Would you continue to buy them?
No, far too expensive - I grudge paying a fortune for pads etc as it is!

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
Yes if they had no access to appropriate disposal or for holidays etc

Any other thoughts?

How did you find using FabLittleBags generally?

I thought they were nicely packaged and were easy to get out of the pack. The bags were incredibly easy to open using one hand, and they were very easy to seal afterwards. The seal was strong so worries about leaks or smells.

Where did you use them?

I used them at work where I share a unisex toilet and there is no sanitary bin. I used them at somebody's house who I was visiting.

Any problems with them?

None at all.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose tampons?

No, I usually use nappy bags and dispose in the bin or keep in my bag. I have never flushed tampons.

Would you continue to buy them?

May be as an occasional treat or just to use for work/holiday. They are a bit pricey to use all the time.

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

Yes, they are definitely worth a try!

Any other thought?

Thank you for giving me the chance to test them !

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally? I really loved using them, they're so easy and convenient. Hassle free!

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them. I used them at home, while out and about, at friends and work. Really easy to use discreetly and pop into your bag for later disposal or a bin. Looks like a normal piece of rubbish.

Any problems with them? None what so ever I think they are flawless!

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How? Definitely, I will no longer flush my tampons and it will definitely make me consider the impact it has a lot more than before and I'd encourage other women to do the same.

Would you continue to buy them? Absolutely!

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users? I already have! I've told almost every female friend, co worker, acquaintance etc.

Any other thoughts? It would be 'fab' if there could also be a bag for disposal of towels too, as not always the case to easily dispose of but not very pleasant to carry around until an appropriate recepticle is found

Thanks for the opportunity to test!

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?

The handbag pack was good kept closed well and easy to get bags into and out of. I think the writing on the fab little bag was unnecessary.

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

At home in my own bathroom and also at work where there is no bin in the toilet.

Any problems with them?

I have very heavy periods and pass clots and getting an Ultra tampon into the bag without contaminating the outside is not dissimilar to threading a needle.
I failed to notice how to seal the bag initially, but one I realised how this worked the bag sealed well with no leakage. I gave it a squish to check.

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

I like the idea, but would prefer no writing on the bag to draw less attention.

Would you continue to buy them?

I wouldn't buy them to use at home, but will probably continue to use them at work.

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

Yes I probably would.

Any other thoughts?

I think the price point is a little high for widespread use.

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
I thought they were quite good, but not so good on heavy flow days (getting larger tampons in the bag was tricky).

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

Any problems with them?
As I said above, they don't work so well on heavy flow days.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
It has made me think about it more.

Would you continue to buy them?
Probably will for work and when I'm travelling. Also think they will be very useful for my daughter when her periods start but too expensive for home use.

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
It does make disposal easier, most of the time and far better than flushing.

Any other thoughts?
It has made me think about tampon disposal again (might dig out the mooncup - but that probably wasn't the aim of the test!)

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
OK but was still uncomfortable just leaving them in a bin in people's homes.

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

Any problems with them?
Could have been a bit bigger and then would have been easier to put towels/ pantiliners in too.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
It has made me think, I tend to use facilities to dispose of them when out and about but flush at home. I will reconsider.

Would you continue to buy them?
No, the price is extortionate.

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
No, the price is extortionate. And realistically, I still think disposing of a bag with a used tampon in in someone's house isn't really on.

Any other thoughts?

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
Quite good, but I found due to their compactness, I had to wrestle the tampax in, and getting the applicator and wrapper from the next tampax in was abut of a struggle.

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

Any problems with them?
As above, I found it a bit awkward and messy at times.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
No. I will continue to dispose in the bin, in bags.

Would you continue to buy them?
No. I will continue to use bog standard sanitary disposal bags which are a lot cheaper and fit more in.

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
Probably not, for reasons stated above
Any other thoughts?

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
generally I think it's a great little thing that makes life easier.
Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
I used them at home and out and about
Any problems with them?
no problems but I would prefer them a tad bigger (I am quite clumsy though)
Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
not particularly, I would never flush them anyway. But it's a much better, discreet and convenient way of disposing.
Would you continue to buy them?
depends on the price. As it stands sadly no.
Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
I would recommend them if they were (way) cheaper
Any other thoughts?
would be good to have a bigger bag for pads. And as I said previously although very useful I find the product very overpriced

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
They were a good thickness (opaque), and one large pack pretty much lasted me for one (long) period. I found them a bit small for heavy flow days when I used a large tampon, and wasn't that keen on their being so long and narrow - bit more width wouldn't have gone amiss. Generally I found them handy, but not handier than a nappy sack or toilet paper.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
I used them primarily at home. Our bathroom bin doesn't have a lid, and I'm always embarrassed that our cleaner or visitors will see my toilet-paper-wrapped tampons. I didn't find it necessary to use them when out and about (work and shops) as every toilet I used had a disposal bin.

When using them, I put the used tampon in, and then tried to put in the wrapper and applicator from the next tampon, too. Occasionally, I would also want to put in the liner I use, but that was problematic.

Any problems with them?
As above, it was a bit of a struggle to get the applicator and wrapper in the bag as well as they are quite narrow, and I couldn't fit in a liner as well.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
No. From my travels I know it's more acceptable to flush tampons in North America, where the pipes are bigger, but here and in Europe, it's not. I always wrap them in paper and put them in the bin, so these bags didn't make much difference.

Would you continue to buy them?
I might buy a large pack to have on hand in an emergency, but the price point is far, far too high for me to buy regularly. They're better than nappy sacks as they're not see-through and are easier to carry around in my handbag, but nappy sacks are bigger, and far cheaper, so I'll probably continue to use those.

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
I might mention them as an alternative, but no, I wouldn't recommend them.

Any other thoughts?
I also wasn't keen on the name being so prominently displayed on the bag. I wanted to use them as a discreet way of disposing of tampons when others might see, and I was embarrassed by the proclamation of a FabLittleBag emblazoned on the side of each bag. I would have been too embarrassed to leave on in a friend's bin, for example.

Apologies, I haven't read the whole thread so I may be repeating stuff but I have only just had the chance to use them.

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?

Fine, they are a bag, there wasnt much to say

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

I used them at a friends house, and my grandad's. I did put them in the bathroom but initially forgot about them. I did also use them at work.

Any problems with them?

I was a bit confused by the 'one handed open and close' as it fails to mention the sticky tab on the instructions, presumably because that makes it not one handed. I just thought that made the 'USP' kind of missold.

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

Until I did this trial I honestly thought you could flush tampons, now I know you can't I won't again. So in that sense, yes.

Would you continue to buy them?

No. If they came in a tampon pack I might use them, but I wouldn't buy them at the price they are now.

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

I doubt it.

Any other thoughts?

They are a bit of a solution to a problem that didn't actually exist. If I had known before now I would have just stuck a couple of nappy sacks or dog poo bags in my bag which are far cheaper!

Also, with the handbag pack, you have missed a trick by not making them credit card sized, they are a bit big to go in the zip bit on my bag.

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally? At first I was excited and pleased to be eco friendly. One I realised how messy the bagging was I was put off. A thick nappy sack would have been better and cheaper. The one handed opening was ok but not wide or deep enough for larger tampons. The seal still needs the other hand to remove it.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them. I used them at home. I tried using the one handed opening but still found myself using two hands!

Any problems with them? They are too small to fit the tampon, new applicator and wrapping in one bag without it getting messy.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? Not really. I'm still flushing them but am disposing of the applicator.
How? Because they are too small.

Would you continue to buy them? No definitely not.

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

No, unless they were looking for this type of product them I may mention them. I'd mention the problem of the size too.

Any other thoughts? Size needs to be bigger and price lower. The only thing that they would be good for is if you were at somebody's house without a bin and you had to take your rubbish home. If you are trying to make people more eco friendly then I'd go down the route of moon cups, sponges, re usable sanitry wear etc.

I'll do a full review when I'm back from holiday, but just wanted to say that these have been brilliant to have with me in Spain, where there is often no bin in the loo, or just a bucket with a bin bag in it. I would buy them just to take on holiday - as the seal is so good, it's not a problem to stick them in your bag and take them with you if there is no bin.

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally? Easy. Easy to hold and open and can all be done one handed.

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

Any problems with them? No, none whatsoever.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How? They made me more conscious not to flush them down the toilet. They gave me an easy alternative.

Would you continue to buy them? I think so.

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

Any other thoughts? The main point for me was the consciousness raising of how we shouldn't flush tampons down the toilet.

My daughter is yet to test her pack. Her periods are rather erratic and she is currently running late!

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?

I really liked them. I found the instruction pictures a little difficult to follow and it took me a while to see the seal on the bag. But after the first one I've found them extremely handy and appreciate using them one-handed. I also appreciate that they are opaque and more discreet leave in bins when out and about. Since having my last baby I've had very heavy periods which are horrible and made me feel like a teenager again. The FabLittleBags have made me feel a little more able to contain the mess!

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
At home, to dispose of tampons in the bin.

Any problems with them?
If anything I think the bag should be a little wider for super plus tampons.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
No, but it made it easier!

Would you continue to buy them?
Yes I would switch from my supermarket brand, but I'd like to see them in bigger packs so I don't have to remember to buy them so often.

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

Any other thoughts?
I like the idea of the refill pouch and I like the tougher packaging but I'd never remember to refill it so I'd just buy 2 normal packs for home and handbag.

Me and my daughter
Both agree bags are easy to use.
I used them at work my daughter was home mostly but also at college
Only problem was locating in my full bag!
Daughter had no problem.
Daughter no, she never flushes and among her friends they are far more open. She would happily dispose in friends bathroom bin.
I do sometimes flush and it has made me think.
I don't think I will buy them as I think they are overpriced. I buy my daughters products and she has said she wouldn't ask me to buy them.
Neither of us would actively recommend them because of the price. Most women and girls use a nappy sack that we know and they are better value.

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
A bit fiddley, but they did what they were supposed to do.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them.
I used them at home, at my mums and at my bf's. Handy to have in your bag as it's not the sort of thing you want laying around in your bf's bathroom!

Any problems with them?
No, they were strong and easy to handle.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
They make it possible to bin them instead of flushing them. There's no way i'd of binned them before using these little bags. They are so discreet aswell, no one would guess what it's for.

Would you continue to buy them?
Depending on the price, maybe I would. If I saw them on special offer, I would absolutely pick some up.

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
Yes I would. I think they would be well received.

Any other thoughts?
I'm glad I had the chance to test these, If I had not done so I would not have looked twice at these on sale. Good idea, they should make some for sanitary towels aswell.

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
Not quite sure why you need to do it with one hand. Surely you'd just open it up before you remove the tampon? I struggled with one hand anyway!

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
We have a static caravan with an open bin, so I used them while there. I have a quite heavy flow so use towels and they were a bit too wide for the bag when wrapped but only just.

Any problems with them?
Nope. I didn't fully trust the seal but it seemed okay.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
They would definitely stop me from flushing tampons.

Would you continue to buy them?
Yes, I think so. They are expensive but I wouldn't need more than 2 or 3 per cycle - only for emergencies really.

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
Yes. I think they're much better than nappy bags etc because of the thickness, and the pouch will just live in my handbag until next time.

Any other thoughts?
Nope!

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?
They were easy, straight-forward and no hassle.

Where did you use them? Please describe how you used them
Both my daughter and I used them whilst we were away on holiday. As we were in a small cottage, it wasn't a good idea to flush so we simply wrapped the tampon up in the bag without worrying about it being seen in the bin or causing a smell. It was also a relief when we were out and about and weren't able to access decent toilets (which happens often on hiking trips!)

Any problems with them?
There were no problems. They allow for a certain discreetness when you are carrying them around with you.

Do you think they have changed how you dispose of tampons? How?
I prefer to throw tampons and towels in the bin but as it not always possible to do this I end up using nappy bags to dispose of them later. It isn't the nicest of things to do but sometimes necessary. This idea seems a lot more hygienic.

Would you continue to buy them?
I would prefer my daughter to take these with her to school and when she's out and about because they are less hassle and the packaging is so less visible, BUT the price is putting me off.

Would you recommend them to other women who are tampon users?
I would recommend them but I would also state the price as well!

Any other thoughts?
My slight concern is the environmental aspect of the whole idea in terms of the costs of the packaging of this product.

How did you find it using the FabLittleBags generally?

They were easy to use and I found them very handy to have them in my bag just in case And also for use at gym.

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

I used them when out and about and at the gym. Actually used at a toilet where there was no bin. I also tried using them at home in my own bathroom rather than popping them back in wrapper.

Any problems with them?

I found the sticky strip would come undone, also I sometimes found them tricky to open.

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

Yes will definitely make the effort to bin not flush in future, and having these bags available will help with this in some situations.

Would you continue tobuy these? I Would buy them if they were on offer.

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

Yes definitely.

Any other thoughts?

Interesting innovative and nicely designed new product, I think they could be further I'm proved in time