Cloth Pads - has anyone actually tried them?

sareer

I have been reading about cloth pads and am wondering if anyone here has ever tried them. I like the idea of reducing the monthly amount of waste that even just tampons cause but I am not sure cloth pads don't smell, are cumbersome and plain unhygienic. Any feedback from someone who has used them?

taxus_baccata

Would you try a moon cup instead, they are brilliant

lazygal

I use a menstrual cup and I'm only sorry I didn't start years ago. I looked into cloth pads but didn't go that route.
Slightly related, I used cloth nappies on my children and they were brilliant, and other mums in a FB group I was in for them used cloth pads and seemed to get on well with them.

chuckles30

Never heard of them tbh - but would definitely recommend a Mooncup as an alternative - I have never looked back since I started using mine. There is another thread discussing all things menstrual cup related.

sullivlo

Some info in this thread: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=62237544

I think if you search there are other threads too where people shared their experiences.

Would also +1 on the mooncup. Looking forward to cycling to try it out!

This thread: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=90484125
(that should be a post outlining one posters experience with them)

woodchuck

Like others, the first word that came into my head when I read this thread: mooncup!!

PennyWren

My sister has used cloth pads the last 2 years or so and finds them great. She does have a very light, short flow though. I can't imagine them smelling once they are changed regularly enough, certainly no more than any other pad.

LynnGrace

Haven't tried them, personally. I admit I didn't know they existed until I saw them mentioned on mumsnet. I have seen some good reports of them there.

Vojera

I posted in the Lady gardening thread about my experiences when I first started using washable towels. I didn't realise until I looked back there that it has been two years!

Anyway, I'm still using washable towels and I don't think I'll ever go back. Ideally I would love to be able to use a menstrual cup, but unfortunately they don't suit me. Washable pads are the next best thing, imo.

The initial investment was costly but I haven't needed to buy any more towels in the two years since I started using them. All the towels are still clean and fluffy.

When I have my period I bring a tiny washbag to work with spare pads and a sandwich bag inside. I snap on my new pad, dampen the used pad with some water and snap it closed and keep it in the sandwich bag so there's no leak in my shoulder bag (I did have an accident once where my washbag wasn't 100% leakproof, which is when I introduced the sandwich bag). It's no more awkward than using plastic pads imo.

Importantly for me, I used get really itchy with the plastic pads and I don't with the cloth ones. It's great!

Edit: also, no, the pads don't smell. I change mine as often as my flow dictates. On heavy days that could be every three-four hours, on light days it could be six-eight hours and there is no smell.

I rinse the pads out well in cold water and then soak them (I use the dettol laundry cleanser in the water because my wife feels better about soaking them in that, but a few drops of tea tree oil is meant to be just as good). If it's going to be a day or two before I'm doing a load of washing then I'll change the water every 24 hours and it's fine.

Obviously if you're any way squeamish about blood then it's not the option for you as you will be getting up close and personal with your period blood, but it's only blood, nothing gross about it imo.