How To Guide for Reusable Period Pads

Inside: Everything you need to know about reusable period pads. Includes reference to gifted items.

The world of reusable menstrual products can be quite overwhelming, with so many different options to choose from and brands to try. I have tried various brands and styles and so wanted to create something to help first time users to navigate their way to finding the best fit for them.

Reusable Period Pads, pants, cups and even tampons are an alternative to the disposable menstrual products we are all used to. Not only do they help reduce the amount of waste we produce but they are also kinder to skin, more comfortable and more cost effective in the long run.

This guide will take you through the various options, the products you need and how to care for them to get the best from them each month. I promise, it isn’t as scary as it may seem.

What are reusable period pads?

Just as there is a huge selection of disposable menstrual products on the market, there are also reusable alternatives.

When people think of periods, generally the two products that come to mind are pads and tampons. I’ll be honest, I haven’t quite got my head around reusable tampons (but they do exist!) but have been using reusable pads for years.

Quite simply, the pad is just the same as disposable pads but is made from washable material. Instead of the synthetic materials of a disposable, they are made from a mixture of breathable polyesters, organic cotton and sometimes bamboo.

I am currently using Wear ‘Em Out pads which have a layer of Modal – made beech tree cellulose! It is amazing what can be used to create material these days.

Wear ‘Em Out make award-winning, reliable, and efficient reusable pads that are good for you and good for the planet. With free shipping over £20 they are made in the UK and shipped worldwide.

Each layer absorbs the menstrual blood just as it would in a reusable product – I’ve never once experienced leakages.

Of course, the main thing to know about them is the fact they are indeed reusable. Simply wash them in the washing machine and they are ready to use again and again.

They aren’t a new concept at all, with women years ago putting rags inside their underwear to absorb the flow. These were bulky and uncomfortable though compared to the pads created these days. But there is still a misconception that reusable pads are bulky and difficult to wear when we live busy lives rushing around here there and everywhere.

As you can see, they are in fact super thin. With the material simply being super absorbent to protect you even on your heavier days.

How do period pads work?

Each pad consists of different layers; a top layer which sits against your skin (often made from a soft cotton so as not to irritate) and wicks away the moisture, middle layers that absorb and hold the moisture, and an outer layer that sits against your underwear. This is often made of a water resistant polyester material to stop anything escaping.

Just as with single use pads, washable pads come in different sizes and absorbency levels (number of absorbent layers inside). For a light flow you can go for smaller pads and lower flow ratings and for heavy flows and night time wear you can go for the longer more absorbent pads.

I personally like to wear the long ones throughout as I feel they just give me the coverage and comfort I need.

Having tried various pads over the years I have come to realise that you need to pay attention to the fastening. From experience, to ensure a good fit you want to look for pads that have a double popper fastening. Those with single poppers tend to slide around more I’ve found.

But do they work?

Whenever I speak to anyone about them I always get the same 2 questions; do they leak? and do they smell?

I absolutely promise that they do not leak. As long as you wear the appropriate size and absorbency level for your flow that day then you will be fine. Sometimes, on my heaviest days I will change my pad half way through the day but otherwise they just absorb and absorb.

And with regards to the smell – they just don’t. They are generally made with material with antibacterial properties and these just soak up the odour. But I actually find it tends to be the disposable pads that create a smell – possibly due to the chemicals within the absorbent layers.

How to care for your pads

With good care, your pads can last for years. I have had some of mine for about 5 years and they are still going strong.

Rinse

To care for them properly you should rinse them in cold water and then store them in a ‘wet bag’ until you are ready to wash them.

Rinsing them simply removes the excess so as to not let it dry out and stain the fabric or break it down over time.

Wash

It can seem a little odd that you’d wash them in the washing machine with your other clothes but it all gets rinsed, cleaned and flushed away along with any other dirt and debris being washed out.

Simply put the used pads into the machine (up to 40 degrees) and they’ll come out good as new.

*IMPORTANT*

Do not use fabric softener as it will reduce the absorbency of the material by coating the fibres.

Dry

On a sunny day you can hang them on the line or you can put them in the airing cupboard. Air drying is by far the best way to dry them otherwise you risk shrinkage or reducing the waterproof efficiency if tumble dried.

Alternatives to period pads

There are so many options available now that it all depends on personal preference as to which you choose. Or you can always mix and match depending on what you need.

Period pants

Period pants are a great option if you do still find pads a little bulky. They work in exactly the same way as pads but the absorbent layers are built into the pants themselves. Perfect if you want to just go about your day without worrying whether the pad has shifted at all.

Menstrual cups

Cups work in a similar way to a tampon in the sense that they are worn on the inside. However, instead of absorbing the blood, it simply collects inside the cup until you take it out and tip it down the toilet. Great for swimming or for days when you want to forget all about your period.

Reusable tampons

A relatively new product in recent years (and one I am unfamiliar with), they work exactly the same as a disposable tampon. Insert, get on with your day and wash ready for the next time. Perfect for swimming or any sporting event and perhaps a little more familiar than using a cup.

Why use reusable products?

There are many benefits to using reusable sanitary pads, cups, pants and tampons. For many, the sheer amount of waste we produce each year will prompt them to look at more eco-friendly ways to live their lives.

Apparently, on average, women will use 11’000 disposable period products in their lifetime. That’s based on roughly 38 years of 38 years of menstruation. That is a lot of waste that have a big environmental impact when you think how many people there are in the world.

4.3 billion disposable menstrual products are used in the UK every year equating to 200,000 tonnes of menstrual waste hitting UK landfill per year.

Another reason people switch to reusable products is for improved health. Many women report fewer cases of thrush once they make the switch. I personally get irritated by disposable products – they literally burn my skin so it is reusables all the way for me.

So many people have suffered with Toxic Shock Syndrome from using tampons over the years. The chemicals, plastics and perfumes used in manufacturing are all now avoidable when making the switch to a cup or reusable tampon.

For many, it is the ease of use of the products – especially period underwear. No more rustling of wrappers in public loos! You can also get running shorts with absorbent layers built in – you can’t get easier than that!

Are they expensive?

The initial outlay is greater than simply buying a pack of disposable pads off the shelf. And of course, there will be many that do not have the luxury of investing in such products. Not to mention that they involve washing and care that many aren’t in a position to provide.

However, if you are able to set aside money to invest in reusable products then they do indeed save you money in the long run.

The average woman will apparently use 22 period products per menstrual cycle – that is around £2 per pack of disposable pads per month. In one year that equates to £26 (2 x13 cycles). Over 5 years that will be £130.

Compare that to a starter pack of reusable pads at around £50 that could last 5 years or more. Saving you money and meaning you never have to rush to the shops because you’ve run out.

What do I need?

The first thing you need to do is work out how long your period usual lasts. Then you need to work out how many heavy days you have as to how many mid-day changes you might need according to your menstrual flow.

Another consideration is how ‘on top‘ of your washing you are. If, like me, you are rubbish at keeping on top of your washing pile then you will want to have enough pads to last the entire period. Or, if you think you’ll be able to wash and dry your pads in between days then you can buy less.

Remember, even if you switched out just one disposable pad for one reusable pad, you’d save a minimum of 65 pads over the course of 5 years. Every pad counts.

So, based on the average period, you might want to buy 2 lighter pads, 2 medium and 2 large. Then once you get used to your flow and how reusables work you can adjust to suit.

Wear ‘EM Out have a starter packs for to help get you started too – super helpful!

You will also want to invest in a wet bag to keep your used pads in until you’re ready to wash them. And another handy extra is a bag to have for the days you are out and about. I like this one from Wear ‘Em Out as it has a pouch for your clean pads and a pouch for the used pads.

99.3% of 908 people asked said they were pleased they had made the switch to our reusable period pads

If you have any questions, pop them in the comments and I’ll answer them! Let me know how you get on!

I was gifted the products shown in this post but my thoughts and words are entirely my own.