Reusable cloth Pads are an alternative to disposable pads. They are hand made from different materials and are designed to be worn the same way as disposable pads, without the plastic sticky removable backing that comes with disposables. They are usually fastened around your underwear with poppers, although some pads come with Velcro. Rather than just throw the pad away after use, you just rinse it out, wash it, dry it and reuse it. The initial financial outlay may seem high but over time you will save a fortune in packets and boxes of pads and tampons. If the financial cost puts you off trying them then maybe you could start off with just one pad and gradually build up to a stash which is designed around your needs. You may want some pantyliners and some pads for heavier days, by building up gradually you can test the pads first before buying more.
To enable our customers to build up a supply this way we have eliminated the postage charge to UK customers just buy one a month if you want to. Pads start from as little as £4.00 each.
The rest of this buyers guide will aim to help you to make the right choices. Think about what size would suit you, which pad style, which material and, above all, choose pads which match your personality - would you prefer a deep purple minki pad or a pretty floral cotton pad, both from the Fairy Hammocks range? Or a pad with pictures of aliens on them or a soft lilac Mommys Touch pad the choice is yours. Women spend hours in lingerie shops browsing for the right knickers for the right occasion, this is just as fun!
Treat yourself and start enjoying your periods again!
Teen / Back up pads
Pads in this category are the smallest pads available, even smaller than pantyliners. They are designed to be worn by young girls who have just started their periods, or women with a small build. Ladies who use menstrual cups like to choose pads from this category to wear as a back up, just in case their cup leaks.
Size Comparisons:
Lunapads Teeny Pantyliners - 15cm long
Ultra Light pantyliners - 16.5cm long
ImseVimse Mini Pads - 19cm long
Fairy Hammocks Teen Pantyliners 20cm long
Thong / G String pads
Pads in this category are made to wear with thongs or g-strings. They are shaped specifically to fit that type of underwear. Two companies make these products, Angel Pads, based in the UK and Cute Cotton, based in Estonia. There are long thin g-string pads, triangular shaped thong pads and the contoured style which could be worn with a G-string or thong. Some women also choose these as back up pads for menstrual cups.
Size Comparisons:
Angel padz Thong pads 15cm long
Angel padz G-String Pads 15cm long
Cute Cotton Thong Pads 19cm long
Pantyliners
Pantyliners are for lighter days towards the end of your period, when the bleeding starts to diminish. Or for days in between your period when you feel that some protection is needed. Many women have stress incontinence, or a weak pelvic floor muscles. Minor accidents when sneezing, laughing or coughing can be embarrassing. A lot of our customers choose light pantyliners to wear on a daily basis, just in case.
Size Comparisons:
Honour Your Flow Pantyliners 18cm long
ImseVimse Mini Pads 19cm long
Angelpadz Pantyliners 20cm long
Lunapads Mini Pantyliners 20cm long
New Moon Pads Pantyliners 21.5cm long
Mom and Me Creations Pantyliners 23cm long
Fairy Hammocks Pantyliners 23.5cm long
Ellas House Pantyliners 25.5cm long
Regular Pads
Regular pads are for general use. Choose pads from this category to use during your period, if you have normal blood loss. If you have heavy days at the start of your period then opt for maxi pads as well, keeping the regulars for the rest of the period. These can also be used between your period if you suffer with stress incontinence and feel that a pantyliner isnt enough protection.
Size Comparisons:
Minki Padz Regular 18cm long
Lunapads 20cm long
MoonTimes 22cm long
Debbies Pads Regular 23cm long
Many Moons Alternatives 23cm long
Fairy Hammocks Medium 23.5cm long
Wemoon Slim Medium 24cm long.
Honour Your Flow Regular 25cm long
ImseVimse Regular 25.5cm long
Ellas House Regular 25.5cm long
Mom and Me Creations Regular 25.5cm long
Mommys Touch Regular 27cm long
Wemoon Slim Large 27.5cm long
Angelpadz Regular 28cm long
New Moon Pads Regular 30.5cm long
Cute Cotton Mini
Maxi / Night Pads
Maxi pads are usually thicker and often longer than regular pads, making them ideal for heavier menstruation or night time protection. If you are prone to flooding at night then choose a longer pad to prevent accidents.
Size Comparisons:
MoonTimes Pads 22cm long
Fairy Hammocks Heavy 23.5cm long
Honour Your Flow Maxi 24cm long
Lunapads Maxi Pad and Liner 25.5cm
Minki Pads Maxi 25.5cm long
Wemoon Slim Large 27.5cm long
Many Moons Alternatives Maxi 28cm long
Minki Pads Night 28cm long
Mom and Me Creations Maxi 30.5cm long
New Moon Pads Maxi 30.5cm long
Honour Your Flow Maxi Long 33cm long
ImseVimse Night 33.5cm long
Postnatal Pads
Postnatal Pads are ideal pads to buy to prepare yourself for the birth of your baby. Following childbirth women bleed for approximately 6 weeks, the first few weeks being the heaviest. This is when flooding is more likely and a thick, long pad is ideal. Some pregnant women like to wear them before the birth if they are worried about their waters breaking in public. The two largest pads are particularly wide at the back making them ideal for this or the heavy flow that is anticipated after the birth.
Size Comparisons:
Ellas House Postnatal 30.5cm long
New Moon Pads Maxi 30.5cm long
Honour Your Flow Maxi Long 33cm long
New Moon Pads Sleeper 35.5cm long
Honour Your Flow Overnight 39cm long
Washing Instructions
It's not really that bad! If it doesn't appeal to you then you could use a bucket of cold water and just drop the used pad into the bucket. Blood is heavier than water. The pad floats face down on the surface of the water and the blood sinks to the bottom of the bucket! Remove the pad and wash it at around 40˚c, dry it and re-use it.
Some pads come with the manufacturers washing instructions. Or you can visit the Manufacturer's websites for specific instructions.
The following instructions are general guidelines only
- Wash the pad before use to increase the absorbency After use, rinse the soiled pad in COLD water. Or leave to soak in a bucket of COLD water.
- Soak them on their own, not with your underwear as the blood will stain other items
- Avoid using fabric softener or bleach
- Wash in the washing machine at 40˚c
- Dry on the washing line or indoors
- Do Not Tumble Dry
Frequently Asked Questions
I can't work out which way round to wear my new Fairy Hammocks! Should the patterned side be at the bottom?
The general rule is that the most absorbent side faces your body. However, it is sometimes difficult to tell which side is the absorbent side. If the pad has a waterproof layer that is visible then it goes at the bottom. If there is a waterproof layer which is hidden, try feeling the pad for the waterproof bottom layer, it is often under a thin layer of material.
Fairy Hammocks should be worn with the patterned side facing your body as the waterproof layer is just underneath the white cotton layer.
I notice that some of your pads don't have a plastic backing. Will I leak through the pad?
It depends on your flow. If you are very heavy then I would suggest a plastic backed pad. Look for PUL (polyurethane laminate) in the description, or Darlex. Sometimes the waterproof layer is hidden under a thin layer of material or in the middle of the pad.
Wool also acts as a waterproof material and will absorb the moisture. Bamboo is highly absorbent and if you have a normal flow then pads with an absorbent material inside them should be fine. The problem should only arise if you have very heavy periods or incontinence.
Try several brands and see which work best for you.
How many pads will I need to buy?
That would depend on what you use them for and how heavy your flow is. There may be certain types of pads that you prefer for different times of the month i.e. pantyliners for between your period, thicker pads for the first couple of days or pretty pads for special occasions! I would suggest that you buy a couple to start you off and gradually increase your stock until you have enough.
Will the pads stain? I am worried that my neighbours will see the stains when I hang them on the line?
There is always a risk of staining with any pad. To avoid stains make sure than you change the pad regularly and rinse them or soak them in cold water straight away. It is recommended that you do not use chemicals to treat any stains - Bleach in particular will ruin your pad.
If you are worried about the neighbours then you could try using a dark coloured pad which won't show the stains. If you have a rotary line then you could turn the pad so that the stained part is facing another item of washing and won't show, or you could dry them indoors. The sun acts as a natural bleach and stains will gradually fade.
Better still, show them off, and be proud of your washable pads!
Can you recommend some nice comfy panty liners?
I would personally recommend the New Moon Pads pantyliner. I have quite a few of them for daily use and I just throw them in the washing basket at the end of the day. Angel Pads pantyliners are made from a comfortable sort micro fleece and are comfortable to wear, a bit shorter than the New Moons Pads pantyliner.
Have you any idea how much wear you can expect from these pads?
I think it would depend on the individual pad, how it's treated, how often it is used, etc. To prolong the pad's life I would advise washing it at 40 degrees, avoid bleaches or sprays and do not tumble dry or iron it. On the manufacturer's websites some give approximates of between 3 and 7 years. One company reports a pad "still alive" after 12 years! Check out Wemoon Natural Menstrual Pads - they say their pads should last for 5 years.
I am going on holiday! Help, do I have to go back to disposable pads?
Only if you want to. I suggest you take a pile of pads with you and change them regularly and rinse them immediately after you change them. Soaking them may be a problem so make sure they are rinsed well. If you have your own room then try drying them on a radiator and reusing them. Let us know how it goes and have a good holiday!
