Cloth Menstrual Pads: What are They and Why Should You Use Them?

Cloth menstrual pads are not something of the past anymore. In fact, they never actually completely went away. Women have been using cloth menstrual pads for hundreds of years. It wasn't until the late 1800's that disposables started to become available. Over time, women began to rely on these products as their sole protection from their menstrual flow. Through the years some women in different countries still used cloth for pads, which they reused. Cloth menstrual pads are becoming increasingly popular amongst women who are looking for alternatives to disposables.

Some of the reasons women use cloth menstrual pads are for the environment, health and comfort issues and as a way of saving money. The cloth pads that are made today, aren't at all like the ones your grandmother would have used, although you can still find this style of pads. Most cloth pads of today are similar to the disposables that you are most likely used to. They are generally made out of 100% cotton and/or hemp, with the top layers being flannel or cotton. The internal absborant layers are often terry, cotton batting or hemp. A lot of cloth pads have a waterproof fabric such as pul (polyurethane laminate), nylon or polyester fleece. Pads can come with wings or without. Cloth pads constructed with wings close with metal or plastic snaps, buttons or velcro. These pads can be made with lots of different fabric and fun prints, no more "sterilized white"!

Cloth pads do come in different styles. There are envelope style, top loading and AIO's (all in ones). Many cloth pad beginner's like to buy a few of each kind so they can test each style and find out which kind works out best for them. Here is some more information on each style:

Envelope with Inserts - this style has an opening at the bottom of the pad (much like a pillow sham) that you add the absorbant core into. You are more or less stuffing the pad with the amount of absorbancy that you need. These are called inserts and are sometimes a piece of absorbant fabric that you fold into thirds and place inside. The inserts can also be pieces of fabric sewn together that you don't have to fold and infold. You can add as many as you like depending on your flow.

The pros to these types of pads are that you can adjust the absorbancy and can be easier to wash.

The cons are that these pads don't always contain a waterproofing fabric, which can lead to leaks. They are also sometimes awkward and inconvenient to be replacing the used inserts.

Top loading with inserts - a pretty popular style of pad. A little similar to the envelope style because you use inserts, but nothing to stuff. These pads have a base, which is the part you snap into your underwear and you place the inserts on top. The inserts are held in place by strips fabric, elastic or ribbon or little pockets at both ends of the pad. Inserts for these pads are much like the envelope style. They are either a square or rectangular piece of fabric that you fold or a contoured or rectangular shape made with pieces of fabric sewn together.

The pros to top loading pads are that you can adjust the absorbancy and don't need to change your entire pad.

The cons to these are that the inserts sometimes slide around, bunch up and tend to be bulky.

AIO's (all in ones) - the most popular style of pad. AIO pads do not have inserts, the absorbant material is already inside the pad and sewn in place. You simply put them in your underwear and change the whole pad when you need to. These usually have wings but do come without wings as well. These are usually the first choice of beginner's who are used to disposables.

The pros to all in ones are that you do not need to deal with messy inserts or use multiple layers of inserts. There are different sizes and shapes of pads to fit your flow, from light to heavy.

The cons of all in ones is that you do have to change the entire pad. You will usually need to buy more all in one's to fit your needs.

All of these types of pads can be used in any situation. You can leave the house with these pads and not have to worry. Just remember to bring a few with you, just like you would with disposables. You can keep your clean pads in a make up container, zip lock bag or you can purchase a wet bag. When you need to change your pad, simply fold the pad into itself and snap the wings to keep it in place, or just roll it up if it's a wingless pad, then place in the bag of your choice. When you get home you can clean it.

Once you are home or after you change your pad at home, take your pad and rinse it in the sink with cold water. You can either take the pad and place it in a container with cold water to soak until it's time to wash or you can wring out the excess water and let it dry until it's time to wash. When you are running low on pads or at the end of your cycle, you will need to wash your pads. To do so, you start a cold cycle on your washing machine. You can add some detergent and color safe bleach if you'd like. Add all your pads and finish the cycle. Then run a hot cycle with nothing in it. You can add tea tree oil or vinegar to help neutralize odors and soften the pads. Some pads shouldn't be put in the dryer, it depends on which brand. If not using the dryer, air drying is the obvious choice. Never use fabric softener of any kind, this will ruin your pads.

There are other uses to cloth pads, not just for your period! If you are having trouble with incontinence, you can wear them for protection and prevent embarassing situations. Even if you are pregnant and "taking a break" from your period, you can still use cloth pantyliners to protect your underwear from discharge associated with pregnancy and light incontinence. A lot of women use a cloth pantyliner everyday to feel fresher and protect their underwear from discharge.

Cloth pads range in price, usually from $2-$20. It all depends on which type of pad you are ordering and from which company. WAHM's (work at home mom's) are the first choice for a lot of women buying cloth menstrual pads. You can find them online. Other "brands" can be found in health food stores. The up front cost of cloth menstrual pads might seem intimidating, but they will pay for itself fast since they can last up to 10 years, depending on the care you give your pads. You should expect to pay $70 - $150 for a full supply of pads.

By using cloth pads, you will feel a lot better knowing that you are not adding more to already overflowing landfills. It is an easy way to "go green" and do your part in protecting the environment. Another way you'll feel better is physically. Some women say they have shorter and less painful periods since switching to cloth pads. That is a definite plus! We all know how uncomfortable disposables are, they are very itchy, sweaty, smelly, plasticy and just downright icky. These are not things you will be experiencing with cloth pads! You'll no longer have to expose yourself to chemicals and unknown ingredients either!

Before you know it, you'll be almost looking forward to your period. The list of all the benefits of cloth pads just goes on and on. One of the mottos of cloth pad users are, "Once you go cloth, you'll never go back!"