Cloth Menstrual Pads

Less Expensive, and Better for You and Environment

Now, I know that this subject may not be tasteful to everyone, but let's talk about menstrual pads.



Most people do not realize that you have a choice here, when it comes to feminine hygiene.

You can go with commercially made disposable products, or you can do what your grandmother and her mother before her did, and use cloth.

Just like cloth baby diapers, there are advantages and disadvantages to using cloth pads.


Advantages

• Purchase (or make) Once, Not Every Month
• Saves Money
• No Harsh Chemicals
• Less Waste

Disadvantages

• Must Clean
• Must Plan for Use
• Not as Convenient

Like Cloth Baby Diapers, you will need to wash them in the washer, but I do not consider using extra water a disadvantage in this case, as your menstrual pads can simply be added to an existing wash load, and do not need to be washed in their own load.

Many women are extremely sensitive to the chemicals used in commercial products, so cloth pads are a good alternative feminine hygiene solution.




How it Works

So how do cloth pads work?

They are about the same size, overall, as a disposable pad, though they are slightly thicker.

They do not feel bulky or uncomfortable. In fact, since you are not sitting on a plastic diaper contraption, they are as comfortable as panties.

Instead of tape and stickers, the pads attach via a simple snap. They do not bunch, or shift while wearing.




How to Clean

Using cloth pads does take a little planning.

You will need to get a canister or earthware crock.

I bought a $7 ceramic canister from Target for mine.

Keep it next to the toilet, and when you have used a pad, rinse it with cold water.

Place the used pad in the crock and fill it with water.


On each day of your cycle, continue to add your used pads to the crock, changing the water once or twice a day.

You can also add a little Arm and Hammer Washing Soda to the wash or a splash of laundry soap if you'd like.

At the end of your cycle, put the pads in the washer and wash them with the rest of your clothing.

Do not use bleach. This will make the fabric weak and it will tear.

When using your pads away from home, placed used ones in a ziplock baggie. Rinse when you get home.




Do They Stain?

Occasionally, depending on how soon you rinse them. Often, cloth menstrual pads are made in dark colors to seem more appealing.



Where do you get them?

There are basically two ways you can get cloth pads:




Make Them
You can make your own cloth pads just like you can make cloth baby diapers. The materials you use are usually the same, cotton flannels, and even baby diaper flannel.

If you are handy with a sewing machine, and this interests you, they are very inexpensive to make.

Instructions for making Cloth Menstrual Pads

Another good site, out of Australia, full of information about Cloth Pads as well as resources and various patterns is

Cloth Pads.org

Buy Them
But, if you are like me, and sewing machines do not agree with you, then you will need to purchase some cloth pads.

I have bought them from a few companies. They each have different styles, and a different look and feel to them. My absolute favorite company is Sckoon.

Sckoon pads are high in quality and very durable. They have stood up in the wash better than the ones my sister and I attempted to make, and the other pads that I have purchased.

I love their design, and they seem to me to be the least bulky from any that I have tried. I recommend their products as the best ones that I have found. They offer a discounted “trial pad” for purchase.

There are other companies that make them as well.

Sckoon

The best idea, however, is to search on eBay for pads made by other Stay at Home Moms SAHMs.  They also have commerically made ones available.

Find all the cloth menstrual pads you need to completely change your feminine hygeine methods.   Get the absolute best prices, at huge discounts. Click Here Now! Thank you for supporting Stay a Stay at Home Mom through the Resource Store.

Make Money
If sewing is something you are interested in, you could make cloth pads and sell them on eBay.

Find Out How to Sell on eBay Here

Cloth pads are becoming increasingly popular right now, as there is a large “back to basics” movement starting to gain speed. I would suggest offering pads in organic materials if you decide to go into business.

You could also add your homemade cloth pads to your content based website.

If back to basics living is something you are interested in, it might make sense to put together a profitable, informational site. You do not need to know anything about web design or html to do this.

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