Cloth Pads?

Thats such a shame Kitten. I suppose we are all such different shapes and sizes that maybe they don't suit everyone. Its a shame as they are such a good idea. I'd keep an eye on their website though as they may tweak them so that they are more comfortable for more people.

Yeah I really wanted it to work, that's why I stuck with it so long. And I'd say to anyone to try them - they save you a lot of money and they're surprisingly a lot less messy than towels. I thought they'd be more but they're not. And of course, they're great for the environment. My body's probably just stupid - wouldn't be the first time haha!

It's not your body's fault the cup makers didn't make it comfortable for all body types!
I never used tampons, until I was 23. My mother was so afraid of me getting toxic shock, that she just never allowed me to use them. Once I finally did, I got pretty angry at all the agonizing embarrassment I could have been saved from at school, had I been allowed to use them. I was a very heavy bleeder(since having my daughter, it's minimized, and only one heavy day), and had to go around with a jacket tied around my waist several times throughout my school years.
I bought some gorgeous bright red fleece, and rich blue flannel, to use for my pad making project. My friend who's a veteran at making them suggested I use old wash cloths as a buffer layer in between, instead of cotton batting, because it's cheaper and simpler. I'm excited to get this project happening!!

I just can't muster up the courage for cloth pads. I tell myself it's okay since my parents used clothe diapers on me and I'm a vegan, so I have a pretty low environmental impact.

Also, I share a laundry room in my apartment and I can't imagine washing them in there...awkward and kind of gross! If you have your own washer/dryer be thankful.

As a person who sews regularly, may I make some recommendations. 1) If you're making your own pads, it may be a wise idea to sew the internal absorbing fabric in place. Sew the fabric (emboss)so it doesn't bunch, wad, or move when the pad is laundered. Maybe make some flower shapes, wave designs, whatever. 2) Toilet tissue is probably not a long-lasting idea for absorption, one wash and it's gone. Perhaps old towels, muslin; cotton fabric is probably the best. I don't think polyester and artificial fabrics absorb well. 3) If you decide to add 'wings' to keep pads in place, velcro may be a good idea. Remember to make the 'wings' wide enough so each wing has its own side of velcro (one has the soft and the other is the rigid, stick side). Reading comments about overnight problems, maybe make them longer, perhaps longer and thicker.

The 'ick' factor is something to consider. Maybe do your dark colors and/or pads first, then follow up with white clothes that need hot water and bleach. De-ick the washer while doing laundry. But is menstrual liquid any worse than someone who has bled on his/her shirt? Someone who may have dog slobber or worse on his/her pants?

I don't know...I try to be as eco friendly as the next guy...but I don't think I could give up tampons and real pads. Doesn't really matter anyway. I'm using an IUD and I haven't had a period in over a year! (part of that I was prego...so, whatever. It still counts) lol

As a mooncup girl I would say if its a comfortable fit its worth every penny. I wouldn't go back to pads or tampons now as they create so much waste and pretty pricey in the long term.

It seems that I might be the devil's advocate here but...no! Gross! NASTY! I try and be eco-friendly and whatnot but I am not reusing any toilet paper or tampons. Anything with period blood/fecal matter on it is going in the trash or getting flushed and I will get a new one when I need it thank you very much.

P.S. I see that Dessah agrees with me haha

This is an amazing topic... I just don't think I could ever give up tampons...

But, tell me, how the hell does a moon cup work? does it involved removing and rinsing? I just can't imagine the mechanics of a little... cup.. catching everything and then having to clean it in public toilets??

x

I don't use one but I was reading about them the other day. You don't have to change them as often as tampons and pads, so unless your only option of a toilet for up to like 8 hours is a public toilet then they say you can just wipe it out with toilet roll. I'm just curious as to how you get it out, there's a tiny little 'stem' but that doesn't stick outside the body... lol.

lol im with courtney. i'll have to find some other eco thing to help save the world to make up for my use of my modern products.

I have to say, I think it's all quite gross! The moon cup idea - I'm out of the house for 10 hours a day at work, there aren't sinks in the cubicle so am I supposed to leave the cubicle with it in my hand, pants round my ankles and wash it out?? I'm defintely sticking with tampons and toilet paper!

I know this topic is a little old, but I ran some numbers that I want to share.

Let's say you bleed 5 days a month. 5*12=60 days of bleeding a year.

Multiply that by the approximate number of years left you imagine menstruating regularly. I'll say 60*25=1500 days of bleeding left in my life.

Multiply that by the number of pads or tampons you use on each of those days. I'll be very conservative and just say 3, on average. 1500*3=4500. If I say 4, it jumps to 6000.

So imagine 4,500 or more pads and tampons that you alone are responsible for. Now imagine all the menstruating women in the world. That's a lot of unnecessary trash and wasted money.

Researchers, by the way, say the numbers are much higher than the ones I've just shown. You can read more about it here: http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/20090112_theres_no_delicate_way_to_put_this_/

I found an article that might help you at http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/11/make_your_own_pad.php

Oh I love cloth pads! A really easy way to do this is cut out a pad-shaped pattern with big wings. Sew as many layers together as you think you'll need, and add velcro.An even cheaper way is to fold and safety pin washcloths to your panties; you can get them 10-15 for 2 dollars on sale. Happy bleeding!