Jillian's Drawers - Cloth Menstrual Pads

Cloth Pads

You use cloth for your baby - why not for you? That's a
question I was wondering about. Had I not cloth diapered
our daughter, I never would have even considered cloth
pads! But, there are so many great reasons to give cloth
pads a try. They're healthier, better for the environment,
save money, and like cloth diapers, with a little adjustment,
are so easy to use!

What's wrong with tampons
and disposable pads?

Conventional disposable
products are bleached and
produce dioxins in the process.
There are many different types
of dioxins, but all of them are
toxic and have been linked to
skin problems, infertility, birth
defects, and cancer.

The benefits of cloth pads

So Soft

Easy to care for

Healthier alternative

Save hundreds of dollars

Less skin irritation

Reduction in yeast infections

Better for the environment

How many do I need?

Every woman's cycle varies, but most women
need 8-14 pads (about 8 day pads and 3 night
pads). We recommend starting with a trial pack
that contains one regular pad, one night time
pad, and one liner. That will give you an idea of
how many of which kind you will need.

How to care for your cloth pads

Method 1

Method 2

Method 3

If you also cloth diaper, just
throw your used pads in the
diaper pail. Otherwise place
them either in a zippered wet
bag or in a container. Wash with
a cold rinse followed by a warm
or hot wash.

Fill you washing machine to the
lowest setting with cold water.
Place used pads directly into the
washer. At the end of the day,
complete the cold rinse. Follow
with a warm or hot wash.

Use a "soaking pot". (This can
be a plastic dish bucket, ceramic
jug, an old teapot.) Place 6-8
cups of water, 1/4 cup laundry
detergent (Tide works well), and
1/4-1/2 cup of hydrogen
peroxide. When a pad is soiled,
rinse in cold water and place in
the soaking pot until wash day.
Wash with a cold rinse followed
by a warm or hot wash.

This method is the easiest,
especially if you're already using
cloth diapers, but will also leave
stains.

This is an easy method that
doesn't require you to rinse your
pads out by hand but still keeps
them looking like new.

This method takes some work,
but generally leaves your pads
looking like new.

How can I remove stains?

Use full strength hydrogen
peroxide for about 10 minutes.
This usually does the trick.
Sunning also helps remove
stains.

Keep in mind that Mother of
Eden comfort pads have a
fleece top, which are stain free.

How often should cloth pads be changed?

Every woman's cycle is different, but cloth
pads should be changed about as often as
disposable pads are changed. You may
notice that you can go longer between
changing cloth pads and that there is less of a
smell to cloth pads, but going a longer
duration may irritate the skin.

Cloth pads are definitely worth thinking about! A set of pads will last three to five years,
saving money and our landfills. Cloth pads are so much more comfortable, they're
breathable, and keep you feeling dry. Many women have switched to cloth pads and
found that their cramping has reduced - they realized they were sensitive to all the
chemicals found in disposable pads. There are so many benefits, they're worth trying out!