Cloth Pads

I've been using these for years now and would never go back. Just recently I got a request to make them for someone and thought I would start putting some up on my Etsy store.

 

Oooh, I've been thinking about getting some of those.

Let me ask you, had your period eased up on you since using them? I've heard of women who've stopped having cramps and lighter flows since using them
I'd be interested to find out if thats valid info.

 

Well, My periods have eased up a lot since I had my girls, but I don't know if it has had anything to do with the cloth pads vs plastic ones.

I do know that I feel a lot cleaner using cloth than plastic. I originally started using them because I was allergic to the plastic on plastic pads. Cloth are really easy to use and clean. It's better for the environment and isn't wasteful.

I go through about 9 pads during my cycle as my period only lasts 3 days. I put the used ones in a container with cold water to soak them and then once I am ready to do a load, I dump the water into the toilet and then throw my pads in the wash with some towels. It's really easy.

I have more sets going up soon.... Navy blue with moons and stars, tye dyed blue, tye dyed pink, tye dyed green......

 

I've heard that women who use tampons find that alot, because there's something in alot of the comercial tampons that cause women to bleed more, and the bleach causes them to cramp badly.

I've been really interested in buying (or making) cloth pads too, do you use organic cotton? That's been my drawback, is I don't want some sort of creepy material, ya know?

I would definatly buy them from you though Hipmoon, I feel better about getting them from someone I'm familiar with :0)

 

I use 100% cotton flannel. It's not always organic cotton though as that can be a lot more expensive and isn't always readily available for me.

 

that's good enough for me, organic cotton really is hard to find, I've had a hell of a time trying.

 

Those rock! And the flannel looks super comfy. How do you keep them in place?

 

That sounds terrifying. Pads in general feel like diapers. Cloth pads don't seem to be very sanitary. Unless you're cleaning them in boiling water or something. And what you use to sop up period blood wouldn't change your flow or cramps or anything at all.

 

Lace and Feet ~ They stay in place by the tiny "wings" on the side. The "wings" fold around the sides of your underwear. I don't use snaps or velcro because I have never had an issue with them moving, the way I make them. I'm very active and have never had an issue with them slipping or moving around.

Cloth pads are VERY sanitary, if you clean them properly. Of course when you wash them you use hot water. It's just common sense.

 

acctually, I've read quite a bit of info on the fact that alot of tampons use bleached fibers. The bleach can effect you very serriously.

 

hipmoon, that rocks!!!! i have been looking for some and who better to buy from....a cool hipforums mama

 

how often do u need to change the cloth pads? because idk it would seem like more often then if u used a tampom or plastic pad. how do u make them? like whats between the cloth? just more cloth? haha im so confused about these!!! i dont think i could trust them only cuz im self conscience when i have my period and i only feel safe when im using tampons. but im really interested about these. Idk how it would change your flow or if u have cramps or not. i dont get cramps using tampons so idk haha. peace~

 

I've tried using these a couple times, but I couldn't be bothered having to clean 3 of them out every night for a week. Though i did notice a difference in how I felt during the time. I felt less crampy and it felt more natural and it didn't stink up as much. It's good to use if you're allergic to something in pads or tampons.

 

You change them as often as you need to ( the same with plastic pads). My flow isn't heavy so I go through 3 pads a day for 3 days.

The pads I make have 5 layers of cotton flannel. It's not bulky and doesn't feel like you are wearing a diaper or a pad at all. I have never had an issue with leaking or messes.

I would suggest to buy 2 sets ( from any of the great cloth pad making mommas you prefer). That way you have spare pads if you need them.

 

cool! Do you think you could make some with Velcro or a snap to hold them in place? Do you think they would wash as well?

 

so you put them in a bucket of water? i'd love to use them, i just don't know how i'd keep them sanitary and wash them..would i wash a seperate load in the washing mchine..apart from my family's clothes? lol. my period lasts about 7 days so would i keep em soaking in the water for 7 days?

 

Here is another set I added to my store.






The basic care instructions are this:

To clean them, soak them in cold water in a container with a lid, that way the blood does not stain the pad. Empty the containers water atleast every other day into the toilet and add fresh water for the pads until you are ready to wash them. I usually do a load of towels and throw the pads in at the end of my cycle.

 

how would you change one in a public place?

 

If you need to change out in public, you would just put the used pad into a plastic baggie and then when you get home, you would soak it. I have a black nylon baggie that I bought at the local dollar store that I use to store my used ones if I am out. I stick the nylon bag in the wash with the used pads and do a wash. I have two nylon bags so that I have an extra one if needed.