Cloth Pad FAQ

 

 

Q. I am new to this cloth pad idea. I have never used them before. How well do they stay in place?

A. The pads are held in place by both the snapping wings and the texture of the fleece on the back. It won't make up for bad fitting underwear, but with a good fitting pair I have no problems.

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Q. I know using cloth pads saves money in the long run but it’s expensive to get started. What should I buy with a limited budget?

A. You could start with 3 - 4 and just wash them more frequently. Supplement with your current products and add to your collection over time as your budget allows. Also, we will be offering specials on the site from time to time.

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Q. Do cloth pads cost more than disposables?

A. No, they are actually cheaper. Spending even $5/month on disposables over 5 years totals $300. If you purchase 18 pads at an average cost of 7.50 each you save at least $165! My pads should last at least 5 years, many of mine are 6 years old.

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Q. What kind of fabric are your pads made out of?

A. My pads are made of 100% cotton flannel. They have a PUL barrier fabric (with an option for no PUL if desired) and are backed with a polyester fleece. Hemp and bamboo along with organic cloth are sometimes an option.

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Q. Can I use Fabric Softener on my pads?

A. I don’t recommend it for 2 reasons. 1. Fabric softener is generally a collection of harsh chemicals (defeating the purpose of having an all-natural menstrual product).
2. Using Fabric Softener makes them less absorbent.

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Q. Disposables seem safer and cleaner, is this true?

A. “Seem” is the operative word here. In all of the stories. books, and literature out there, have you ever heard of a plague or epidemic, spreading as a result of menstrual blood? No, women have always taken care of their blood. Can you imagine what would have happened if women just “threw” their soiled linens out after one use? We believe that it is safer to launder reusable pads than throw disposables in the landfill. Plus, less pollution is created and fewer chemicals are used with each use of a reusable versus a disposable. It’s also worth noting the vagina’s ability to “take care of itself”. Disposable pads and tampons are not sterile products, although the over-packaging and whiteness of these products leads you to believe they are.

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Q. How much money will I save?

A. Depending on how many you want for your cycle, cloth can start saving you money right away. Some women start with just six pads and supplement with their current product. You could purchase enough to get you through half your cycle and just wash them twice. Either way, it depends on how heavy your flow is. Some women tell us their cycle is too heavy and they would need too many. These are exactly the women who would save a lot of money.

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Q. Can I use these pads for incontinence?

A. My pads are designed for menstrual use but are great for light incontinence. Again, they help prevent irritation and allow your skin to breathe, which is important for people who are wearing them everyday.

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Q. Are the pads good for post-partum?

A. The night pads are especially great for postpartum. While many new moms find they need a large amount of pads to carry them through postpartum, any amount of reusable pads would be helpful.

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Q. How long will they last?

A. The pads are made to last at least 5 years.

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Q. Are cloth pads good for women with vulvodynia, vaginitis or allergies?

A. I've sold pads to women dealing with these conditions who find the pads helpful during their cycles. While many women have noticed that tampons and disposable pads can be a source of vaginal irritation, most are unaware that disposable products are highly processed and may contain chemicals to “keep you dry”. Vaginal irritation, allergies, burning, itching, frequent yeast infections, can all be the result of, or exacerbated by, highly processed disposables. Several women (having suffered long enough) have started using cloth as a “last resort”, and found them to be a lifesaver. My customers are my main source of information. Please check with your Health Care Practitioner/OBGYN or tell her or him about cloth pads. Many doctors are happy to find out these exist so they can recommend them to their patients.

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Q. Are they comfortable?

A. Yes. The pads are all cotton, allowing your skin to breathe. If you are used to the thinner disposables (that sometimes use chemicals to absorb your blood and keep you “dry”) the change might take some getting used to. If you are already a pad user, the transition will be easy. Switching from tampons might take more time and patience. The benefits may surprise you. Some women experience shorter periods after switching from tampons to cloth pads.

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Q. Why is the night pad so big?

A. This pad is longer and wider to provide more coverage while you are lying down. The night pad can be used as a post-partum pad and some of our customers with larger bodies or heavier flows use it during the day.

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Q. Can people see cloth pads when I wear them?

A. For comfort and also to make visibility a non-issue, we suggest wearing clothes that are a little looser. Jeans, dark pants and skirts accommodate cloth just fine. Every body is shaped differently, we suggest experimenting.

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Q. Why would I want to use reusable pads?

A. 1. Because once is not enough! First, think of all the tampons and pads you use each time you menstruate. Then think about how many times you will menstruate in your lifetime. Roughly, 340 times, using 20 disposables = 6800 disposables thrown away. Not only is landfill space taken up, but these materials cannot be reused. A disposable is used once - a cloth pad is used 60+ times. Second, think of all the packaging, (wrappers, boxes, applicators) that is also thrown away, all the garbage bags used, all the diesel fuel used to truck those products to the stores week in and week out. Using reusables for even a portion of your cycle makes a difference! 2. Cloth pads are often less irritating for women prone to sensitivities or who have developed sensitivities as a result of disposables. 3. Save money. It only takes 1 1/2 to 2 years to make up the cost of your cloths. They are made to last 5+ years. 4. Many of our customers report a more positive attitude about menstruation after switching. Sure, they feel different, you have to take the time to wash them, but you get used to that. Changing our routines always takes a little time. Using reusables is something to feel great about.

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Q. Who uses your pads?

A. Women all over are using these pads. I have sent pads to nearly every state, as well as Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, England, Moldova, France and Belgium. Pads have been sold to grandmas who need light incontinence protection, and young ladies starting their first cycle. Housewives like Kim, midwives like Candace, teachers like Sara, dancers like Kimberly, equestrian event riders like Laura, secretaries to managers, many women from all walks of life love cloth!

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Q. How do I get the stains out?

A. I recommend any of the oxygen-based whiteners that are great alternatives to chlorine bleach. They can be found at any natural foods market or most grocery stores. The best way to prevent stains is to soak or rinse cloth pads immediately so the stains do not set. These products have also been suggested by cloth users: borax, lemon juice, vinegar, or the sun. Also, keep in mind that stains do not mean the pads are dirty. Most of the colors are dark and rich and don’t show stains much at all if that is a concern for you.

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Q. Is odor a problem?

A. If you change your pads often enough, smell should not be a problem. The carry bag is also very effective for used pads in transit.

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Q. How often do I change my cloth pads?

A. You should change your pads about as often as you would a disposable. You will quickly learn upon using them when it’s time to change your pad.

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Q. Are cloth pads easy to travel with?

A. Yes. I sometimes offer a carrying bag that helps you travel during the day. The pads fold up and snap together really nicely into a little bundle. You fold the 2 ends in, then fold the wings over and snap -- great to carry your clean pads out with you. I like to put then in a little cloth bag so they stay clean. For used pads, I either fold them in half (flannel side in) or fold and snap them back up, and put them in a bag. You can buy pretty "wet bags" that are nice fabrics outside, and polyurethane laminate inside (making them waterproof) I will have these on my website from time to time, but lots of other ladies sell them too. Most of the time I just use a zip lock bag. A good brand of quart sized freezer bag will last several months in my experience. (Yes, I wash zip locks out, lol) If you are traveling for a longer period of time, simply store them until you can soak them in cold water and then wash them. If you can rinse them (but cannot wash them right away) make sure they can air dry, then wash them when you can.

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Q. How should I clean them?

A. It's simple, just pre-rinse, then machine wash and dry. Here are the specifics: Soak or pre-rinse the pads in cold water. If you're leaving them to soak, change the water daily. (You can pour the soak water over houseplants; it's a great fertilizer. This is where your unenlightened friends will think you've gone over the edge). Then machine-wash and dry them with your other laundry. Please wash your pads before the initial use. The pads will shrink a bit in the first washing. The color pads won't stain much. The undyed pads will stain a bit. I recommend the non-chlorine bleaches that can be found in your local health food stores.

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Q. How absorbent are they?

A. You should change your cloth pads about as often as you do disposables. Cloth pads, once washed, are very absorbent. I find that my overnight sized pad holds more than the overnight disposables I used to use. Once in a while I will get an especially heavy gush (Like after sitting several hours on my heaviest day) I will get a little leakage off the side... annoying... but it happened a LOT more when I used disposables. I also have a VERY heavy flow. My solution is to use a sponge or diva cup and a pad on my heaviest days if I need to be out. Even though the sponge won't hold enough for me, it will slow down the flow so it has time to absorb. Overall my cloth pads hold a lot more than any disposables. (so do most other makers) The pads might be a little bigger or thicker than you are used to, especially if you mainly use "ultrathins" but most ladies are surprised at just how thin the cloth pads really are.

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Q. Will they leak?

A. Cloth pads can leak…but I found with a little practice and observation, you can catch them before that happens. I find fewer leaks with these pads than I had with disposables

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Q. Where can I get a soaking container?

A. Look for a container at your local department store, thrift store or garage sale. Look for anything rustproof that will hold water and a few cloth pads, lids are optional. Ceramic pitchers, teapots or flour canisters, and large-mouthed glass pasta jars are a few examples, but you might have a better idea. Remember, if you are soaking your pads for more than a day, be sure to change the soak water at least once a day.

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Q. How many pads do I need?

A. How many depends on how often you change, how often you do laundry, and how easy you want things to be. You can always start with a few and add as you go till you reach the place where you are most comfortable. I would say, overall, most ladies like to have 2 - 4 overnight size, about a dozen day size, and 5 - 10 liners, but it really varies! For me, with being a somewhat larger lady and my heavy cycles, 6 overnights and 15 heavy days is best - - I have other ladies that are very happy with 12 - 18 light days pads. Others have just 6 - 8 pads and wash every other day. Consider how ofter YOU change your pads, and how often you know you can do laundry, and that will give you a good idea.

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