I imagine that you as a modern, conscious woman want to know if there are any alternatives to disposable pads. Just think about the fact that a woman will use up to 16,800 disposable pads and tampons during her lifetime. It’s a lot, isn’t it? We all know that the disposable menstrual product industry is based on unneeded waste and profit, neglecting women’s health and the environment. Luckily, there is an invention called ‘reusable menstrual cloth pads’.
Advantages of using reusable cloth menstrual pads
Healthier
Conventional disposable products are made with a combination of cotton, plastics, artificial fragrances, adhesives, synthetic fibers, wood pulp, and chemical gels – I’m sure you don’t want these things pressed against one of the most sensitive parts of your body! Reusable cloth pads, on the other hand, are allergy and cancer-toxin free, without any added chemicals or gels. By using them, you can avoid unnecessary exposure to the synthetic ingredients in tampons and disposable pads. Keep in mind that the disposable products can cause side effects like hormone disruption, allergic reactions, reproductive and gynecological disorders (for example endometriosis).
Environmentally friendly
Think about not only the waste made of disposable pads, tampons, and party-liners but also the manufacturing, packaging and shipping impact they have over the years. It can take 500 to 800 years for one sanitary pad to decompose in landfills. Meanwhile, a reusable sanitary pad can last at least three to five years. That’s how you will reduce your negative impact on the environment. A small tip here: choose a brand that’s plastic and nylon free, and uses only natural fibers.
Cost-Effective
Even though reusables have a larger initial cost, they still last much longer. If you properly take care of them, they can last for years. Now, you can compare them to the disposable ones with a lifespan of just a few hours, before you throw them away.
Zero Leakage and Easy to Clean
I know that the first questions that will come to your mind is whether the cloth pads are clean and whether they leak. But worry not, as many of them use a removable liner for extra absorption and they also have a waterproof lining sewn inside. Regarding their maintenance, I will recommend you to soak them overnight in water (in order to sanitize them further, you can add hydrogen peroxide or tea tree oil), put them into a washing machine, using mild washing powder and then hang them out to dry.
