Still using disposable pads? Here’s what you won’t miss about them when you make the switch to reusable cloth pads!
When making the switch from disposable menstrual pads to cloth menstrual pads, these are the 10 things you won’t miss about using disposable pads.
- That smell! Am I the only weirdo that can smell when a woman is wearing certain brands of disposable pads? There’s nothing like advertising you’re on your period with that sicky sweet fragrant pad odor. I don’t miss the smell one bit and I cringe when I smell that familiar smell in public. Cloth pads are fragrance free. Your period shouldn’t stink after all so what’s there to disguise?
- That sound! Not everyone is freaked out by public restroom noises but many are. The crinkling of opening plastic wrapping and adhesive on a new pad coupled with the sound of wrapping up and disposing of the old one is embarrassing to some. Cloth pads don’t make noises! Quietly fold up your soiled cloth pads and store them in your cloth pad wetbag, grab your clean one and tada! No embarrassing noises!
- That metal feminine waste (garbage) bin! As if public restrooms weren’t icky enough, having to touch that metal garbage container in the restroom to dispose of your soiled disposable pad is horrifying to me personally. It doesn’t just freak me out because of the thought of germs, although that is a big one, it’s the thought of what lurks inside! Am I going to see a bloody mess from the last woman to sit on the toilet? I prefer to avoid opening that bin at all costs and choosing reusable menstrual products like cloth pads allows me to do so.
- The NEED for a garage bin! While I loathe the feminine waste garbage receptacles mentioned above, they are necessary if you have disposable menstrual products to get rid of. You won’t miss having to bring your garbage out of the stall as you look for a garbage can if your stall was without one.
- The Vagina Zone! If you haven’t read this article about ‘The Vagina Zone‘ then you should! Depending on where you shop, getting to the pad aisle can be a real pain in the ass. You’ll either be shopping elbow to elbow with a dude buying condoms or a lady shopping for Depends. On a good day you’ve got the whole aisle to yourself, on a bad day you stash your cart at the end-cap and maneuver your way in to hopefully find they’re not out of your brand or style. This is completely avoidable when you switch to cloth pads.
- The adhesive! A major complaint among disposable pad using women is that the adhesive can either accidentally stick to your skin and be uncomfortable or the adhesive can stick to itself when you’re preparing the pad for use causing you to ruin the pad or mangle it in order to make it work.Cloth pads feature snaps that easily snap and un-snap with no chance you’ll ruin the pad or get anything stuck where it shouldn’t be.
- The chemicals! Not only are disposable pads chemically fragranced, they contain moisture absorbing chemicals and plastics that make them a hazard to your health. When reducing your exposure to toxins it’s important to remember that every little bit helps, every step away from plastics and chemicals and synthetic fragrances is a step in the right direction. Cloth pads come in a variety of fibers, from organic cotton and silk to bamboo velour. Cloth pads are chemical-free and comfortable.
- The waste! I keep returning to the waste created by disposable pads because it’s really such a large reason to consider cloth. With a 13 year old daughter and her friends in the house it’s not uncommon, in fact, it’s very common for me to find that the dog has gotten someone’s soiled pads out of the bathroom garbage and made a mess. This is gross and I can’t help but think about leaving my pads or my daughter leaving hers in someone’s bathroom only to have them dragged out by the family pet for all to see. Let’s avoid that at all costs shall we?
- The expense! While disposable products seem to be getting cheaper and cheaper, that’s not necessarily a good thing. Cheap disposable pads typically perform worse than the brand names but all create a financial cost that you need to maintain monthly in order to keep yourself stocked with menstrual supplies. Cloth pads can be purchased and reused for YEARS!
- Running out! When you invest in cloth pads you’ll never get caught without what you need (as long as you have enough and keep them washed and clean). While most women are responsible enough to keep themselves stocked, life does happen and when you least expect it you go to reach for a new disposable pad to find you’ve used your last one. Waddling into the local drugstore with a wad of toilet paper in your underwear is no fun. With cloth pads you can be sure this scenario only ever plays out in your head.
Am I on point with some of these reasons? Do you already use cloth and agree that you don’t miss disposable pads one bit? Comment letting me know.
For information on cloth pads please visit Pink Lemonade Shop’s Cloth Pad Blog or join their Exclusive Cloth Pad Chat Facebook Group.
*This post does contain affiliate links which means I may earn if you shop through any of them. Thank you for supporting my work at home mom owned business. xox
Leave a Reply