Hi I live in the US and I’ve had heavy periods since I was 11 (I’m 18 now). I typiclaly use 4-6 maxi (night) pads during the day and 1-3 at night depending on which day it is. My period lasts about 5-7 days now (thankfully down from my past 10 days), but maxi pads are no longer being readily sold around me, only thin pads are.

I began using period underwear from Thinx until the scandal started (bled through those all the time and the material gave me rashes). And then I tried using a menstrual disc (TMI: it does not fit inside me at all), didn’t work. And now I’ve moved onto cloth pads from TreeHuggers (on insta, love them), but I also bleed through these even though they use a water-resistant backing.

I have no idea what to use now other than going back to my disposable pads even though they’re so uncomfortable and don’t have enough coverage in the back.

If anyone has any affordable cloth pad recommendations please let me know ;w;

PS: How many should I buy and how often should I change them?

How often to cloth pads need to be replaced, if at all? They still work well, feel soft, etc.

Do they need to be replaced if there's nothing wrong with them?

TIA.

P.S., they are under ten years old - don't fret. ;)

So I am currently trying my first cloth pad and it’s really rubbing against my leg and hurting me , anyone else had this? Should I try use a different style of pad or will all do this?

I’ve had a hectic month and messed up on my birth control enough that I accidentally skipped a period. I just realized I’ve left my cloth pads soaking in water for over a month. They are in a storage container with a lid with only water.

I’m nervous about mold and stuff but didn’t see any obvious signs when I opened the box. There was a silvery film on top of the water and a weird smell I can’t describe? I chickened out of emptying it for now.

Are these salvageable or should I toss them at this point? I’m starting to wonder if I have the responsibility needed to use these things…

Hi guys!!

Hopefully this question is allowed here.

A few years ago, I was using the ModiBodi undies and they were amazing, but then I had some health issues with horrific recurrent UTIs, thrush, bacterial infections, etc. These issues were not caused by the undies because I was fine for 2 years, but my doctor and gynecologist recommended I throw them out because I just could not get rid of the infection.

I went back to using organic cotton disposable pads, and managed to mostly get rid of the issues.

Im still quite "sensitive" and working with a naturopath and my regular doctor on getting things back in balance, but I feel so guilty about the amount of waste I'm producing every month. I tried the menstrual cup but as I said, I'm very sensitive and it was painful to me, I much prefer external protection.

Would cloth pads be suitable for me? I remember only being able to wash the undies in cold water, can I boil the pads or otherwise sanitize them?

Super appreciate any advice and tips!!

In need of some serious advice, or for someone to lead me in the right direction to start cloth pads, I have used a menstrual cup for years, up until I had my daughter a year ago, I’ve tried a disc since and every organic brand of pad out there and I still get irritation and for some reason the disc/cup just doesn’t feel completely invisible like it used to. Maybe I’m just more aware now… either way I’ve decided I want to use only cloth pads unless I’m swimming, where do you ladies purchase yours from? How many do you go through a month with a regular-medium flow? Like how many times you wash etc. Do they get lint on you like the disposable pads do? Thanks in advance☺️

I have a question. I've used cloth pads for years now, and I've changed the type and style of cloth pads as the years went on, and my body changed. I was looking at a pic of my son in his flat cloth diaper, and a question popped into my head. If we can fold a piece of cloth into a diaper for babies. Can we take a piece of cloth and fold it up into cloth pad for moms as well. Like, could I just folds similar to the ones used in diapers. But smaller and just tie the wings/put snaps in a certain place?

edit: I don't access to a sewing machine. I can hand sew some. not the best

Hey all! So I just switched over to reusable cloth pads yesterday.

I’m using the night plus Gladrags unbleached undyed organic cotton ones. However, I just woke up to leakage and having stained my bed for the first time in…like 6 years? I was disappointed when I saw the blood.

I never leaked like that when on disposable pads and I put on a fresh reusable one before going to bed.

To be fair, I do bleed a lot! But it’s like the pad doesn’t absorb well towards the middle. Do I have to get different materials? Styles? What do you with heavy flows recommend? Because even the night plus Gladrags wasn’t long enough for me nor wide enough either and I spent like $100 on 5 pads :/

I’m currently a young homeless woman. A foodbank kindly offered me the option of reusable pads which I took upon. I’ve never ever used them before in my life. I will wash them before use however is it okay in a 40 or 60 cycle?

Does anyone have any tips? I suffer with eczema so what fabric / material should I avoid if it’s on the label.

Thank you x

So I’ve been wanting to try cloth pads for years and only just plucked up the courage to buy them…. BUT I’m in perimenopause so I don’t know how long I’ll be having periods for, and even when I do have a period it’s very light. Is it worth me changing over now or should I not bother?

Reusable adult diapers and postpartum pads

Postpartum crunchy moms I need reusable cloth incontinece underwear no PFAS or plastic at all

Or inexpensive cloth full coverage pads with no plastic waterproofing?

I’m tired of buying adult disposable underwear

https://www.bamboolik.cz/nocni-poporodni-latkova-vlozka-biobavlnene-frote/

I am considering buying cloth pads for the first time. Where I live Bamboolik sells those in organic cotton material. Has anyone tried these Bamboolik ones? Are they good and how long do they last ?

Hello! I have always wanted to try cloth pads but I live in Singapore so it is all year round 30+ degree celsius and super high humidity. I also have quite sensitive skin down there...therefore hoping to try something that is more skin friendly. Any brand recommendations? Thanks!!!

I messed up. Probably twice. I left my pads in water for 3 weeks. Rough times.

But when I realized I took the following steps to make it right

Soaked with new salted water Rinsed and soaked again 4 times Washed it cold with laundry detergent and vinegar twice Washed it hot with laundry deterfent and vingar once

Looked at this sub and put them in a bucket with water and a bit of bleach. Washed it again but with other clothes aswell.

Well... the smell is unbareable since the first wash but only got worse. It stinks up the room i put it in. And worst case .nightmare. My other clothes i put in with the last wash smell aswell. Including my brand new work pants.

Please please please help me save these dreached pads and above all my work pants

Update: pads are tossed. Pants are currently in washer being saved hopefully

So I’ve never used cloth pads or period underwear before, but recently got some for free. I’d been interested in trying them before, but couldn’t justify spending money on something that may not work for me. I am a heavy bleeder, and use exclusively nighttime maxi pads the entirety of my period since daytime maxi doesn’t seem to hold as much. The free pads were Wegreeco, & I’m not sure on the period underwear cuz the box doesn’t show a specific brand name (picture is of said box). Does anyone know if these are a good fit/ are safe for a heavy flow person to use? I’d also really appreciate any general advice or heads up on what to expect with reusable period products since I know nothing about them. TIA!! 💖

https://www.reddit.com/r/clothpads/s/mNrnVGdHOp

I am so happy to say I will never use disposables again (unless in an emergency). I was able to split the amount of pads I made: 11 for my wife, 11 for myself. With my period that last a full 7 days I was able to get through the week with no issues or accidents which is rare!! I was shocked especially after not using traditional materials to make cloth pads. Thank you so much for helping me create the best transitional experience, weird enough I look forward to my next period and looking at those cute print down under 💕💕😂

I’m looking to move to reusable pads or period underwear but can’t wear cotton during my period without itching my skin off. The only thing I can usually wear is a nylon spandex blend microfiber. Is there anything made out of microfiber or similar?

Hi All,

Summary: I'm looking for some cloth pad options for my nearly 9 yo who appears to be approaching her first period. I'm guessing she will probably need to try out a couple things to find the one that fits her body and needs, but I need a starting point. Been looking at GladRags and completely open to any suggestions.

Details (in case I'm missing something or should be doing things differently/or in addition): I was in cloth diapers as a baby and so was she due to skin sensitivity issues. Her mother also used cloth pads when we were together and had her first period just after her 9th birthday. Unfortunately, her mom struggles to be a consistent, positive presence in her life and has been unavailable for productive co-parenting discussions on this topic. She has a lot of her own trauma around growing up without a mom and her own development which when coupled with her current struggles leads to a lot of anxiety producing conversations between them (how horrible it will be, how it will probably happen at school and she won't be prepared, etc). The women in my family are not particularly open or comfortable with the topic. My work bestie is pretty close with my daughter and lives a very low-tox life but does not like pads so while totally supportive of it has no experience with it.

So, in an effort to alleviate some of the anxiety around the idea of unpreparedness we came up with a plan to make a kit of things she might need (products of her choosing, extra underwear and pants, a wet bag) that she can keep in her backpack/locker at school. She is interested in cloth because that's what she's seen her mom use and it's what her mom told her she had to use. I did say we can investigate other kinds of pads as well as it's her body and her choice. As a dude I've never used any of these products but cloth makes a ton of sense on multiple levels - particularly the sensitive skin for her. I used to participate in the care of her mother's pads and am still familiar with it and of course comfortable in taking care of hers along with getting her to a point of independence with it.

We've had a lot of positive conversations about how bodies, and her body will change. Scientific, functional, emotional. It's part of the human condition - it's okay to feel a little embarrassed and what's important is that she is never too embarrassed to share information about her body with someone she trusts. It doesn't have to be me - just someone we both trust. How when you hear about through mainstream channels it's usually presented through discomfort based humor, or one sided - it's magical or it's terrible and that it's really all of those things - sometimes at the same time. We've also had conversations about how women's bodies are used by companies to make money without really considering what's best for women, so we need to really think and ask questions before making decisions. I'm proud that she wants to investigate this topic and so pleased that she is comfortable talking to me about it. I felt we were in a really good place with everything until the last two weeks after the conversations with her mom.

Thanks so much for reading and for your thoughts - shared or not!

hello!! i am diving into making reusable pads and trying to create the most functional pattern possible. i would love to hear your preferred fabrics for topper, absorbent layer, etc.

some specific things i would love to know:

• which fabrics hold odor most?
• which fabrics get hot and uncomfortable?
• what do we think about Zorb fabric?

and on another note, wings. ive considered smaller wings that aren’t as wide. has anyone had any experiences with wings that are more like straps?

here are my current thoughts: bamboo velour topper (potentially fleece, some people say its absorbent but others do not?) fleece wings zorb or even a towel inside (currently working with towel because money) looking into PUL for waterproof later

thanks in advance :)

Hey 😁 For some context my wife and I recently decided to switch from Diva Cups to cloth pads. I’m currently sewing all of our pads my goal is to have 48 for them and 48 for me + (2) dry/wet bag for changing. I’m trying to catch up on how to care for them before our next cycle (as we just finished ours). If there are any tip or tricks from over the years of using you would love to share to make my transition seamless that would be so wonderful!

The pads I’m sewing are cotton top 2-3 fleece core fleece bottom

Has anyone had issues with cloth pads making them very itchy down there? I recently bought a few cloth pads - I got the organic cotton and only wash them with unscented, sensitive detergent. But a few times I've tried them, and found myself feeling real itchy, almost burning. The itching goes away a few days after my period (and pad-wearing ends). I've never really had a problem with disposable pads making me itchy / any sensitivity there, but I have always used one brand. I was walking a lot when I tried them recently, could that be the problem? Any ideas what might be wrong?

They feel quite comfortable and I want to love them, but I'm worried they're hurting my body if it's getting so itchy. TIA

I just recently changed to period underwear I bought Thinx underwear yesterday later found out they have PFAS in them I bought some cloth pads on Amazon called wegreeco no idea if they are safe. I switched over because of the chemicals in normal pads now I have to deal with them again.

I've been using cloth pads for a few years now, and I thought I had my routine down pat. However, I recently bought some new pads (cotton topped, zorb layer inside, wind pro fleece back) that start to smell really bad after being worn for only a few minutes. The odor is more musty than anything else, and I haven't used these before, so they are clean. The pads smell fine while dry, or if I run tap water over them - it's just as soon as blood hits the pad, it suddenly smells terrible. I have been using other pads this cycle as well, none of which have this issue, so it does seem related to these specific pads. Has anyone had similar experiences with pads made from these materials, or does anyone have suggestions for things to try to fix this issue?

hello, im thinking of switching to cloth after the news of lead found in disposable period products (i dont use tampons but those companies are also making my disposable pads likely)

my question is, when you change your cloth pads in public, what do you like to do with the used one? a large ziplock maybe? probably in another ziplock to be safe? i feel like they would squish around in my pockets a lot but im not sure.

So there's been a lot of studies that talk about single-use pads and tampons having Benzene, 1,4-dioxane, and naphtalene (cancer causing substances) for a “feeling of freshness.” and I bought reusable night-time period underwear that had studies that said they had those same substances. Apparently these substances can also cause infertility. How do I make sure the cloth pads I buy don't cause this?

Hi everyone, I'm new to using reusable cloth pads. I used them for the second time ever but because I didn't have enough sets of pads, I had to use disposable ones again. I ended up forgetting about the used cloth pad, it was used near the end of my period so there isn't too much blood on it. I remembered it a month later and so I put it in a bucket of water with laundry detergent to soak. I intended to soak it for 24 hours but I forgot about it (again) so it's been a few days.

I just finished washing it by hand and it now has a weird smell, mixed between laundry detergent scent and something else (it's not a terrible smell but it is a bit gross). I'm letting it air dry now but I need to know what additional steps to take. How can I clean it even more? How do I get rid of bacteria in it? Get it close to sterile as possible? Get rid of the smell? Is it unusable, should I just throw it away?

Is it possible to boil reusable pads and not ruin them? What cleaning products should I use? I currently only have Tide laundry detergent.

Thanks so much everyone!!!

i am wanting to join the cloth pad community after, ahem, recent news regarding disposable pads/tampons etc. i used to be a heavy bleeder now more of a moderate flow and would like to know what i can get best for my money in the UK - preferably plain fabric too and highly absorbent :) if anyone can help me it would be greatly appreciated!

Hello, I'm new to using cloth pads. I've been soaking them in oxiclean for a couple hours before I wash them in my washing machine. Im wondering if oxiclean ruins them?? Also, what is the best detergent to wash them with? Thank you.