Don’t you just hate having to pick yourself up and go to the pharmacy or supermarket every month to get some pads? How many times have you run out to go get them when your favorite show is on, or when it’s just too cold outside? Don’t you wish you could just toss them in the washer and dryer and they’re good to go again?
But are they even worth it ? Let’s keep it real doing laundry is not fun for most women. It does involve a a little more time and effort.
Forget about saving the environment. When you are broke you careless about going green and your priority is more about feeding your kids or bus fare to go school or work .
There is no shame in your game if you are frugal. In this case you might find that this is the right product for you.
If any of the above describes your situation then read on .
In this article, you’ll be introduced to the world of the reusable pad and how it could change your life. You will also learn about the drawbacks of this pad and ultimately if it’s worth the buy.
But first, we have to let you in on what the reusable pad is and what it’s made of. Let’s get started.
What is a reusable pad?
Like the name suggests, a reusable pad is a pad you can use more than one time. These are typically made of cloth such as cotton, hemp, and silk, and are lined with absorbent materials that prevent menstrual blood from messing up your underwear, and can come in smaller sizes to be used as a panty liner.
Reusable pads can come in a standard plain white color or can have pretty interesting designs. They also come in different sizes, from teeny for young girls with light periods, to mega for women with heavier periods, or for discharge during pregnancy. They can even be custom made at the request of the customer.
After they are worn, they are removed, washed, dried and stored for later use.
History of the pads
- Before the disposable pads were introduced, women used cloth as far back as 10th Ancient Greece. Other women used cotton, sheep’s wool, rags, and flannel. What these things all had in common were that they were placed in the underwear, or wrapped around the hips like a diaper, to prevent menstrual blood from creating a mess.But soon it was discovered that these methods could cause bacterial growth, especially if these materials were unclean or were not breathable. Something had to be done about it.So from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s a number of patents were taken out for menstrual products. These included the first menstrual cups which were made of aluminum and rubber, rubber pants which were bloomers lined with rubber, and even a silk belt to which you would attach your makeshift pads.
The problem with these solutions, however, was that they were not discreet, they were expensive and they were not very comfortable. Taboos surrounding menstruation also made consumers shy away and for the most part, women continued with their makeshift pads.
It wasn’t until World War I when nurses at the front lines realized that cellulose was better at absorbing blood than cloth that the idea of disposable pads came about. During this time, the war meant that bandages were in high production and, that would also mean that there would be a surplus.
It was in 1921 that popular female hygiene products brand Kotex mass promoted the idea of using the same material that these bandages were made of to help women deal with their monthly cycles. By World War II these were in high demand and circulation as women needed to continue working while the men were away at war to support their family and prevent the inevitable collapse of the economy. Shortly after tampons were introduced in Europe and the wave of feminine hygiene products descended on the world, transforming the lives of women everywhere.
The first pads were not like the ones we have today and were big and pamper-like. A ‘one size fits all’ principle. But soon advancesmeant that there were pads specially designed for women with light flows, heavy flows and soon pads with wings to secure them in the underwear.
With this boom in business, it meant that these pads had to be produced and distributed faster, and companies had to compete with others to make their pads leak-free for longer periods. This, however, meant that more industrialization had to take place, which meant more chemicals and fragrances, and other potential irritants.
For this reason, and other allergens many women are unable to wear commercial pads, and have chosen to go back to the traditional reusable pads. These pads are much different, however, and bear a similar resemblance to commercial pads. The only difference is that they are primarily a part of the cottage industry, made by stay at home moms, or small companies who are aware of the impacts pads can have on women and the environment.
How to use it
A reusable pad works pretty much the same as a regular, disposable pad. Here are instructions on how to use cloth menstrual pads:
When you buy them, the first thing you should do is wash them. Allow them to dry and then when you are ready to use, place a pad in your panty. If it comes with a clip, button, or Velcro strap, use it to secure it inside of your panty.
After about 4 hours, change into a new one. The amount of times you change your pad a day is dependent on how heavy your flow is and what you’re comfortable with. Just don’t leave them on too long because they can begin to smell as they don’t have odor block chemicals like regular, disposable pads.
How to clean
Cleaning these pads is like cleaning your underwear if you happen to have a spill.Unless you were given specific care instructions for your reusable pad, here are some tips on how to wash your menstrual cloth pads correctly:
Rinse with cold water immediately. The longer you leave it is the more likely it is to leave a stain. If you can’t rinse immediately, leave it in a bucket of cold water so that the stain will not set.
You can hand wash the pads, or toss them in the washing machine.
Do not use hot water as this will make the blood harder to wash out, and it can set stains.When washed, hang in direct sunlight as this will help to kill germs, and will prevent wrinkles from forming.
Do not use any cleaning spray, harsh soaps or disinfectants to clean your pads. Remember that these will be in direct contact with your vagina and these can irritate.
Pros and cons
Reusable period pads are an amazing idea to some, and an inconvenience to others. Have a look at these pros and cons of reusable pads to help you decide:Pros:
Cons:
Is it worth it?
To determine if disposable pads are worth, you will have to look at the type of lifestyle you live. If you are a career woman with a busy schedule, you won’t have the time to be washing and drying your pads every day. However, if you are a stay-at-home mom, or if you lead a lifestyle that allows for more free time, then go ahead.
