the benefits of cloth menstrual pads
Choose day pads if...
• you typically use standard disposable
day pads
• you sometimes leak urine when you
sneeze or laugh (happens to the best of
us!)
• you have moderate flow
Choose night pads if...
• you have just given birth and need
postpartum protection
• you tend to leak over the front of back
of your pads
• you have heavy flow
How do I use them on the go or traveling?
When you remove your pad, you can put it
in a waterproof bag in your purse or backpack until it’s time to wash. Then follow
the washing instructions below.
How do I wash cloth pads?
There are two main washing techniques:
the dry method or the soaking method.
You may choose to keep a small zippered
wet bag next to the toilet for used pads. At
the end of your cycle, fill a tub or container
with cold water and let the pads soak for
about 30 minutes. Adding a presoak cleaner helps reduce staining. Drain the water
and toss the now wet pads into the washing machine with the rest of the load. You
can also just put your used pads directly in
the washing machine if you want to skip
the tub soak.
Some women prefer to use the soaking
method, and keep a small container in
the bathroom in which to soak their pads
before washing. If you do this, adding a
presoak cleaner and changing the water
every day will keep your soaking container
free from mildew and odor.
Whatever you choose, make sure to use a
mild detergent free from harsh chemicals,
fabric softener, or bleach, as these will reduce the lifespan of your pads. Click here
to find more tips for making your cloth
pads last longer.
You’ll want to store your cloth pad collection somewhere free of moisture, and only
put them away when they are fully dry.
You might find, as many women do, that
the monthly ritual of caring for your pads
gives you feelings of satisfaction -- because
taking good care of your body feels good!
Quick Tips for washing cloth pads
• Cold water helps keep stains at bay
• Change soaking water daily, or wait to
soak
• Avoid bleach, fragrance, and fabric
softener
• Dry on lowest setting
What about leakage?
Leakage is the #1 worry of women thinking
about using cloth pads -- and for good reason. No one wants to be the girl with a stain
on the seat of her pants! Fortunately, lots of
women find that cloth actually works better
for them than disposables. Cloth pads won’t
bunch or twist like adhesive pads can, and
most pads have an absorbent core to keep
you leak-free. To stay comfortable and
leak-free, just make sure you change your
pad frequently enough (about as often as
you would a disposable) and choose the
right absorbency for your flow.
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