Since jumping on board the Plastic Free July bandwagon and deciding to continue on with it, my shopping habits have been
scrutinized. Everything I buy has been put under a microscope. And
this includes below the waist line products. I have already reviewed
alternate to tampons and had such a lovely response that I thought
I'd go ahead a try cotton pads.
The concept of the menstrual pad has
not changed much. The fibers used today are less natural than what
our ancestors used back in the day. Wool, papyrus, sponges, grass and
cotton (to name a few) have been used as different methods across
this mighty globe. They were organic and went back into the earth.
I am a woman that had not used any of
the above (or would want to, lets be honest). But I am a woman that
has become interested in less plastic. And this means tackling the
issue of the products I use down there, each month.
Of course the items we used today fit
out lives. Our days are different to what we did hundreds of years
ago, we move in different ways. What works for us has led to the
current design of the modern pad. But with the design and our on the
go life, other elements have crept in that are not organic and won't
go back into the earth. Plastics. Chemicals.
So when I went looking for a product
that would replace what was familiar to me I was naturally drawn to
Luna Pads.
Image from lunapads.com |
Luna pads is a fabric pad that fits
just like your regular, run of the mill menstrual pads that you buy.
Except, they are made of cotton and are washable. Yep, you wash these
in your washing machine (or by hand). It's not as gross as it sounds.
Really. Again, this is the type of product you need to use if you
have a comfortable relationship with your body. So far I have enjoyed
two months with them (I use them with my mooncup because I am a lady that has been blessed with a more generous
flow) and had no trouble. The clip onto your regular underwear and
off you go.
You might be thinking how do I carry
them when they are not wrapped in plastic? Luna Pads has thought of
that. These little beauties fold up and you can purchase a washable
bag that you carry them in. No one is the wiser. Plus you get to
choose the fabric for all the products you buy. I picked the mermaid
pattern!
While there are many brands that offer
the same product I decided on Luna Pads (Luna? Moon goddess...Moon
cup. What's with the nocturnal references?) because of their
dedication to providing girls and women a free pad for each one
purchased by you and me through their One4Her program. And the
wonderful ladies at Luna Pads shipped my goods out here with no
plastic, which was an added bonus!
I'd love to hear from you. Have you tried cloth fabric pads?
Thank you for writing this article! I'm really interested in trying this out. If I may be honest (with a complete stranger) I have a very heavy flow and am unsure if it would work for me. I've also looked into the diva cup. I've always had a hard time with tampons (they never seem to open up for me), so I'm still very skeptical that the products will work for me. Any advice? Reducing my impact is my number one goal, but I also want to be comfortable.
ReplyDeleteI will be honest with you - I have a heavy flow too. I bought ones that are for nighttime/heavy flow and I use in conjunction with my mooncup for the first couple of days. Then towards the end I use just the pads. I have not had any trouble with the pads when I have used them without the mooncup. They are comfortable and work well. I recommend them to everyone!!
DeleteI went to the local big box store and bought a package of terry cloth wash cloths for about $5 USD. That was.. gee... at least 4 years ago and I still use them every month. Just a cheapskate's way of doing it.
ReplyDeleteNow that is resourceful and cost effective!
DeleteHello Erin, nice to meet you!! I finally found somebody who struggles with plastic even much more than I do! It is good to see that we are not alone. By the way, I still oppose a little resistance to the use of reusable pads: when I was a young girl my mother taught me to use a bent piece of cloth - that was my first pad, and believe me if I tell you that the disposable ones were such a great thing for me!! I see from your description that these new pads would work much better of the ones in my old memories, so I WILL TRY!! I also want to tell you that all the nocturnal references are maybe related to the fact that someones says that the Moon has influence on periods.... thank you and regards from Francesca - Italy
ReplyDeletePlease give the new cloth pads a go. They are very comfortable! I love mine so much. Plus, the money saved over time is a lovely bonus. Thanks for the info about the moon having an influence on periods. That is interesting to know.
DeleteI am going to jump on board with this idea. I actually have been using the Diva Cup for a few periods now and I am getting used to it to where I almost forget I have my period. *Weird concept* because I also have a very heavy flow. These cotton pads will be way more comfortable than the plastic ones that irritate my skin.
ReplyDeleteI am glad to hear the diva cup works for your heavy flow. A lot of women get nervous about it, especially if they have a heavier flow. I LOVE my cloth pads and rave about then to anyone who cares to listen. I hope you like them too.
DeleteHi Erin,
ReplyDeleteI'm really interested in using these pads as I too would like to reduce the amount of waste I produce. I'm just wondering if these stain? I wouldn't particularly mind too much, but I don't think my partner would be very comfortable with the idea.
I am going to be honest - yes, they can stain a little. But if you use a stain remover, like BunchaFarmers, it will help reduce. My partner does not mind, but thats because he does not see them ;)
DeleteI know this is an old post but I have information about all the moon references :) My understanding of it is back in the day before chemical hormones, electric lights and screentime, women's cycles were actually in tune with the cycle of the moon (the level of moonlight would signal women's bodies, I suppose?) Anyway, fun fact! I'm working on switching my feminine products over to re-usable but I'm a stubborn DIYer so it's going to take the time for me to make it all.
ReplyDeleteThat makes a lot of sense. I used to be in sync with the moon but slowly changed when we got another female housemate. Women's bodies are fascinating! Nothing wrong with being a stubborn DIYer :) All the best with it.
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