washable sanitary protection

longforgotten

Are these ok for incontinence problems too ?

crutches

just bought an eco-femme from ebay and some others from a lady who makes them for ebay.
I'll update when i have tested them!
I also use nappy booster pads (thin cotton ones!)

skyrocket

If you look on ebay in the usa they are much cheaper there and you can get many more for your money. I think they are more popular in the states. I find i need quite a few otherwise i am washing them all the time and you want them to be convenient too, but i couldn't afford lots when buying from england and unfortunately i don't know one end of a sewing machine from the other. the ones i got from the usa ebay were well made too.
xx

oldMcDonald

I was in two minds over starting this thread, unsure of what the reaction would be to the idea of washable pads, and I'm really pleased to see how this has evolved into a collection of links to places where they can be bought.

I'm sad to see that some have been quite negative about the idea of washable sanitary protection. Call it what you will - time of the month, monthlies, periods - it is something that roughly 50% of the population have happen to them at some point in their lives and it is as natural as breathing. It is only blood and has no basic difference to what you would lose during a nose bleed, most people would have no difficulty soaking then washing clothes and towels that had this 'nose-bleed' blood on.

The reason that this blood is viewed differently is down to marketing - there is good money to be made from disposable products that have been marketed as 'needed'. These products are individually wrapped and 'discreet' (should you really be embarresed?) and are the source of such waste and chemicals, both in their manufacture and in their disposal. I live near to a beach where tampons, applicators and pads are often washed up - this is so disgusting (and yes, I know you are not supposed to flush:rolleyes: ). I honestly dont believe that it is less gross to throw these things into landfill so that they can contaminate the ground for years (what is in that 'gel' which these pads have in them?) than using washable alternatives.

Personally, I have invested in a Mooncup alongside several washable pads which I have bought through links posted on this thread (I never did find the time to make my own pads!). I would like to say a huge thanks to everyone who has posted a link to companies which sell washable sanitary protection, hopefully more and more women will eventually see disposables for the both the waste of resources and the polutants that they really are:T :T

wendyl1967

I got mine from here. I find them very comfortable and they wash easily.

http://www.babykind.co.uk/sanitarywear.htm

I do not soak them in cold water first. I just save them up over a few days in a couple of nappy sacks and then wash them all together on a separate small wash. Not the cheapest way but I feel better washing them separately. But I think I may do it a different way now.

I like the idea that one poster (Aussielass) put of just rinsing them while in the shower. Hot water does not seem to make these stain. I use a hot wash to wash them without presoaking. Then chucking them in the normal wash.

bigpaws23

I just wanted to resurrect this thread, as I have found it to be fascinating reading.

I have been using washable pads for years now and cannot fault the ones from Ella's House: http://www.ehnappies.co.uk/ (look under Minx pads)

I chose these because I like to do things as 'naturally' as possible and hemp is 4 times more absorbant than cotton. It is also, to my limited knowledge a far better crop for the environment.

Cotton (unless organic) is one of the most heavily sprayed crops on the planet. While everyone throws up their hands at GM foods, GM cotton is used in tampons. Not to mention the bleaching process (is it only me who cannot see the point in whiter than white sanitary products and toilet paper :rotfl: ).

It is illegal in California to feed the leaves and stems of the cotton plant to livestock because of the high residue of pesticides, so yes, you've guessed it - many women across the world end up inserting it or into the most sensitive and absorbant part of their body for 5 days a month.

I was a little hesitant to go with washables because my flow is so heavy, but, after a couple of months of using these, all manner of things changed with my periods - FAR less discomfort, lighter flow, no flooding and very few leaks. It is best to treat washable pads like washable nappies or bath towels - they take half a dozen or so washes to reach maximum absorbancy (and don't use fabric softener for the same reason)

If you consider that the average woman will use 17,000 sanitary products in her lifetime, that is a huge burden on the environment if we continue using disposables. So although some may think of this as a 'yukky' thread, it might be more positive to see if you can think about the future of our planet. If you stop and think for a moment, it is only 'yukky' because it takes us outside our comfort zone of what society tells us is ok. It is no more yukky than a snotty hanky, a sweaty pillowcase or a erm, bedsheet covered in your husband's 'secretions' after a couple of passionate nights.

menstrual blood is the essence of life itself and I think it is so sad that many women fall for the messages of 'unclean', 'disgusting' etc. All of these are LIES, which bind you into having a miserable few days every month. There is so much pressure with having to hide things away, not letting your husband's touch you and feeling menstruation to be a 'curse' rather than a celebration of life and fertility.

Washable pads are really easy to take care of - I have a plastic container with a lid into which I put used pads. I fill it up with cold water and a drop of essential oil and it sits there until I next use the washing machine. You don't even need bother rinsing them if it grosses you out - Just tip the whole lot into the washing machine, so, if you can't bring yourself to touch them, you don't need to.

I urge every woman to just at least TRY a couple of washable pads. If not for your health, then for the environment. And if that doesn't sway you; think about what you could buy with all that money you save! :T


blessings
Bigpaws x

ailuro2

After reading this I'm going to try some for night-time use.
I will stick to tampons during the day- I work with a bunch of blokes,climbing into machines and the like ,and I just cant bring myself to feel insecure about sanitary protection at work.
However I do wear towels at night after the first day becuase I know wearing tampons 24/7 has sometimes been linked to toxic shock syndrome.

I can't see a problem with washing them in the machine as long as they are rinsed well first, just like the pants you're wearing when your period starts,or do the squeamish throw these in the bin every month too?:eek:

Fritha_2

ailuro2 wrote: »

I will stick to tampons during the day- I work with a bunch of blokes,climbing into machines and the like ,and I just cant bring myself to feel insecure about sanitary protection at work.

Ailuro, Why not have a bash with a Mooncup? They're really not my cup of tea (I prefer towels) but I know a lot of people around have had really good experiences with it? I think there's a thread around on here, I'll go look....

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=196357&page=17

Hopefully that will help :-)

zztopgirl

Does anyone know of anywhere that makes pads without wings? I have san pro but really hate the wings, so have gone back to normal disposables. :eek: I also have a mooncup but its not enough-if you see what i mean, tmi.:D

Wish i had a sewing machine and could make my own!

*zippy*

The ellas house minx pads ones look like you could easily cut the wings off

http://www.theclothresource.co.uk/acccecosanpro.htm

or you could ask weenotions if she would make you some without wings perhaps


http://www.weenotions.co.uk/