It is probably a little bit taboo to talk about menstrual thing publicly, but, I think it’ll still be a good opportunity to talk about reusable feminine hygiene product knowing to the fact that waste of disposable pads and tampons contributes quite a lot of resource exploitation in our environmental issue. So, let’s get started!
What is that?
Cloth menstrual pads is one of sustainable swap alternatives which made from layers of absorbent fabrics (such as cotton and hemp). One of my favorite! Unlike disposable pads, they are reusable and washable, favorable for long-term use. Collectively, they’re less expensive, less wasteful, space-saving and healthier than disposable pads/tampons. It’s not a new thing anyway. I think this practice has already existed since long time ago, but the invention of disposable pads blinded us with its convenience. Our ancestor knowledge was eroded by the convenience of the new technology called 'disposable'.
Cloth menstrual pads is one of sustainable swap alternatives which made from layers of absorbent fabrics (such as cotton and hemp). One of my favorite! Unlike disposable pads, they are reusable and washable, favorable for long-term use. Collectively, they’re less expensive, less wasteful, space-saving and healthier than disposable pads/tampons. It’s not a new thing anyway. I think this practice has already existed since long time ago, but the invention of disposable pads blinded us with its convenience. Our ancestor knowledge was eroded by the convenience of the new technology called 'disposable'.
Why even bother using this?
Let’s admit it, don’t you think using disposable pads is wasteful? I always feel kind of guilty every time I dispose my used pads to my trash bin. Always. Then when you think about reusables, I bet some of you may think they’re dirty and disgusting. But, are you sure disposable pad is better? In fact, disposable pads or tampons contain A LOT of toxic chemical than cloth pads which are only made from 100% cotton and a little plastic snaps to keep it stay in the place!
Let’s admit it, don’t you think using disposable pads is wasteful? I always feel kind of guilty every time I dispose my used pads to my trash bin. Always. Then when you think about reusables, I bet some of you may think they’re dirty and disgusting. But, are you sure disposable pad is better? In fact, disposable pads or tampons contain A LOT of toxic chemical than cloth pads which are only made from 100% cotton and a little plastic snaps to keep it stay in the place!
I purchased cloth pads in summer 2016, but I was too lazy to do the maintenance, so I went on and off (I'm just a regular lazy human after all! Hahaha), I kept them neatly. Then in early summer 2017, I committed to myself to attempt sustainable lifestyle more seriously and planned to use them more regularly. When I used disposable pads, my stomach always felt kind of bloated. But, I've never felt that again after shifting to cloth pads! That was one big difference I felt. Am I only too sensitive? I don’t know if this only happens to me or not, maybe, those chemical things in disposable pads can emit toxic fumes is true? Since after, I made my mind to make a real shift to reusable cloth pads.
How to choose the right cloth pads?
I really recommend you choosing cloth pads with 100% cotton fabric as it is lint-free and comfortable for long-term use. Same with disposable one, cloth pads come in different sizes. I bought the full set cloth pads in Amazon from local brand called Aenuance, which includes 2 pads of 32 cm (for night in early period), 2 pads of 27 cm (for heavy days), 3 pads of 23 cm, 3 pads of 19 cm, and 9 pads of 17 cm (panty liners). They are more than enough to keep me dry during my period! :)
I really recommend you choosing cloth pads with 100% cotton fabric as it is lint-free and comfortable for long-term use. Same with disposable one, cloth pads come in different sizes. I bought the full set cloth pads in Amazon from local brand called Aenuance, which includes 2 pads of 32 cm (for night in early period), 2 pads of 27 cm (for heavy days), 3 pads of 23 cm, 3 pads of 19 cm, and 9 pads of 17 cm (panty liners). They are more than enough to keep me dry during my period! :)
How to use them?
Basically, you use cloth pads as same as disposable one. In cloth pads, there is a small plastic/metal snaps to keep it attached to your short. At the first time using this, I guess you will be discomforted with these snaps, but believe me, you will get used to it. When wearing them, I recommend you wearing tight too, for additional support so it won’t move around.
Basically, you use cloth pads as same as disposable one. In cloth pads, there is a small plastic/metal snaps to keep it attached to your short. At the first time using this, I guess you will be discomforted with these snaps, but believe me, you will get used to it. When wearing them, I recommend you wearing tight too, for additional support so it won’t move around.
Any minus point about this?
Yup, surely it has. Using them in summer is quite challenging as the humidity is really high. Thus, it's better to change more often. Besides that, using cloth pads while doing sports is actually a little bit uncomfortable too. I’m a typical person who likes doing sports and quite active even during my period. Whether it is cycling, hiking, aikido-ing or longboarding, I worry a lot whether my pads could stay in the place or not, so I always wear tight for additional support. For you who are very active, I think it will be good to consider buying menstrual cup (I’m still considering buying 1 too!).
Yup, surely it has. Using them in summer is quite challenging as the humidity is really high. Thus, it's better to change more often. Besides that, using cloth pads while doing sports is actually a little bit uncomfortable too. I’m a typical person who likes doing sports and quite active even during my period. Whether it is cycling, hiking, aikido-ing or longboarding, I worry a lot whether my pads could stay in the place or not, so I always wear tight for additional support. For you who are very active, I think it will be good to consider buying menstrual cup (I’m still considering buying 1 too!).
How to maintain them?
Maintaining them is surprisingly effortless. I always bring them in reusable bag along with additional bag for used pads. When I return home, I wash them gently with my hands, and soak them overnight in alkaline detergent. It works like miracle and the dirty part dissolves into water! (I saw some people use baking soda too). If the dirt is persistent, change the water, soak for another few hours. If you still find some dirty spots, give a gentle hand wash with bar soap. If it doesn’t help, put them together in your laundry machine. Some stains are OK! No need to overwashing! A thing you need to be careful is to soak them in water soon after using (no more than 10 hours). The more they stay outside, the more persistent the dirt will be and it will be harder for you to clean them.
Was it worth?
Here I listed why you need to consider purchasing them:
Here I listed why you need to consider purchasing them:
- Collectively cheaper. You may need to pay more at the first time purchasing them, do more effort for the maintenance, use more water than usual. But, I bet paying disposable pads for your lifetime is much more expensive than paying for cloth pads.
- Space saving. When I used to stock up my disposable pads, I needed to buy several packs because you know they don’t provide 1 pack disposable pads with different sizes (panty liner, normal days, heavy days). All comes in different packages. Truthfully, those packs took a lot of space in my storage. While now, I just need to keep my cloth pads in one small box. Only that.
- Less wasteful. By buying reusable cloth pads, you don’t need to buy pads in plastic bags and come in singly wrapped plastic (excessive plastics). The disposable pads itself is not recyclable and we don’t know when it will degrade in nature. I do admit that I use more water resource because I need to wash my cloth pads. But, I’m not generating any trash as I did when I use disposable pads. Yes, the earth doesn’t need to take consequences of the trash we make. Less guilty feeling!
- Healthier for your own. Don’t be deceived by those ads saying disposable one is cleaner, drier, healthier, etc. In fact, disposable pads and tampons hide so much truth. They contain a lot of chemical, they exploited many resources, they are not recyclable, they are highly cost for the environment. Meanwhile cloth pads are transparent, only 100% cotton! They are not hiding anything here. No toxic chemical, no bleaching, no added perfume.
Yes, they’re collectively healthier for your own and for our planet.
We need to talk about facts here. We do have right to choose something safer for our body, don’t we? I do think so. So, I believe we, consumers, do have right knowing and choosing the best hygiene product for our intimate zone. When you know you can choose what you put in your body, please consider giving them a try for your next cycle! :)
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