Cloth pads questions

[Two Little Buggalugs]

Hi ladies,

Since reading these threads, I've got the general gist of cloth pads.

I hate the placky feel of pads, so these sound lovely... but I've got a strange ick factor about making the switch!

Completely hypocritical I know. I mean the nappies have poo on them for goodness sake, so I don't know why I feel so strange about washing the pads...

So, how long does a pad last for a normal flow period? And (prob stupid question) what do you do with it after? Dry pail with the nappies? Rinsed first? Any staining? Do any of you still use a tampon for the first heavy days or do you find the cloth pads are all you need?

Thanks in advance!

[gremily]

The pads last about as long as a disposable pad does.

Have a small lidded container with water in it near the toilet. When you changed pads put the used one into the water. You don't want the blood to dry as that is when it will stain. Change the water every day or 2. The water can be used on plants as a wonderful fertilizer. When you do a load of washing through your pads in aswell. Don't worry, they won't stain your clothes!

There are different absorbancies of pads (just like disposables) so if you have heavy first days then you used a more absorbant pad.

If you want to use something more friendlier than tampons, then have a look at cups. Menstrual cup thread (http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/showthread.php?t=49644&highlight=diva)

Since using cloth pads and the cup my flow has lightened and I have absolutely no pain at all. I've gone from at least a 5 day period to a 3-4 day period.

[Shanaynay]

*sigh*
I know this is crazy but I really want AF back! I want to try all these things out :crying:

[gremily]

*sigh*
I know this is crazy but I really want AF back! I want to try all these things out :crying:

I never used to mind having AF, it was the fact I hated pads and tampons that I didn't like.
Now though, it's like a massive celebration! Problem is which pad to choose first and do I use the cup!

[Two Little Buggalugs]

Thanks for the link gremily, now I want a cup too! I am amazed - I never thought of myself as a hippy or anything and now I'm trying so many new things...

Anyway, so do you still use a pad with the cup? I take it you can't use cloth pads when out then because they need soaking? Also, if I make my own, how important are the sewn in channels? Has anyone used a flat one and they still work?

Off subject, it sounded like there was no plus or minuses separating the mooncup uk, diva and lunette? Is that just a personal preference thing?

Cheers!

[KapowSchazam]

Oh Karen, you are just too much you hippie you!!!

[Blueberry Crumble]

Sorry guys, no need to offend, but the idea of washable pads gross me out. Environmental or not, what happens when you have visitors and they use your toilet and peek inside your bloody ice cream container to see what it in there! No way! No thanx :(

[ikis84]

I keep mine in the laundry tub...

What happens if they use the bin in the toilet?

It is a personal choice though... the benifits of them (they feel so, so much nicer than sposies) far outweights any *ick* factor for me.

[gremily]

Anyway, so do you still use a pad with the cup? I take it you can't use cloth pads when out then because they need soaking? Also, if I make my own, how important are the sewn in channels? Has anyone used a flat one and they still work?

Off subject, it sounded like there was no plus or minuses separating the mooncup uk, diva and lunette? Is that just a personal preference thing?

No need to use a pad with the cup, unless you're worried it's going to leak, which very rarely happens. I only leaked when I first started using the cup due to not putting it in right and leaving it too long between emptying.

When out and about you can still use cloth and cup. If the pad has snap wings then it can be folded in on itself. There are also small wetbags you can get to put them in (have a look on ozebaby). They'll be fine like this for most of the day so long as you put them in water once you get home. Look for darker material topped pads rather than light/white, that way if they do have a slight stain it's less noticeable.



Sorry guys, no need to offend, but the idea of washable pads gross me out. Environmental or not, what happens when you have visitors and they use your toilet and peek inside your bloody ice cream container to see what it in there! No way! No thanx :(

It's less gross than pooey nappies. I'm not getting blood all over my hands. Plus I don't have to touch those disgusting sanitary disposal bins in toilets.
And what visitor looks inside a closed icecream container in a bathroom anyway? That deserves a "lovely" surprise! The container can be put in an indiscreet place so if you do have nosey visitors they won't find it.
There are some materials, like microfleece, that you can have on top and when it's used you can't even see the blood, as it soaks through.

[Two Little Buggalugs]

Oh Karen, you are just too much you hippie you!!!

:laughing: Got any room at your farm? I'm thinking me, gav and nix pitching a tent next to the alpacas and roaming au naturel! It's warm in qld right?


Sorry guys, no need to offend, but the idea of washable pads gross me out. Environmental or not, what happens when you have visitors and they use your toilet and peek inside your bloody ice cream container to see what it in there! No way! No thanx :(

I said the same thing at the start of this thread, but i've got an ensuite so was more mentally blocked on the washing bit. But I hate placky pads more, so I'm willing to give it a try!


There are some materials, like microfleece, that you can have on top and when it's used you can't even see the blood, as it soaks through.

Do you think suedecloth would do the same?

Anyone know if I need to sew in the channels?

[bekkyboo]

i made up a trial one last time, and hubby was the one who was more sickened by it!!! He said he will be ok with it as long as he never sees it.

since i didnt get much of chance last time, does anyone know what the smell factor is like- overnight use, and the soaking bucket?

oh, suede liner would work as a liner wouldnt it?

[gremily]

since i didnt get much of chance last time, does anyone know what the smell factor is like- overnight use, and the soaking bucket?

No smell at all. I change the water each day or every 2nd day and I've never had any smells either. Just looks like red water:D


Anyone know if I need to sew in the channels?

Obsidian Star info (http://www.labyrinth.net.au/~obsidian/clothpads/padindex.html)

The website above has more info than you can poke a stick at re cloth pads and cups. It also has a "Make Your Own Pads" bit that might be useful.

[bekkyboo]

Using Hemp as the aborbing layer, how many layers would you need?

[HoopDeeDoo]

2 or 3 would be fine :thumbsup:

[bekkyboo]

Tops! Thanks Em :)

[Two Little Buggalugs]

Should I use some PUL as the bottom layer or is leaking not a problem? Thanks again for the obsidian link, I just looked at the cups last time and didn't explore.

The patterns are really helpful, but none of them mention channels. On the old thread that was posted someone mentioned flat pads weren't any good, they needed 'channels'...?

[HoopDeeDoo]

have a look in the sewing section I did a huge description about how I do mine. i just had one layer of bamboo fleece, one layer of hemp, a top layer of sherpa or bamboo velour, and a bottom layer of cotton print. I did a zig zag through the middle of the soaker and the lining before I attached the back.

pads (http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r25/hoopdeedoo/web-1.jpg)

The one on the lower left was the first one where I sewed through all the layers, but thought it may cause leaks to do it like that so from then on I didn't sew though the back.

I have tested them this week, and there is no need for PUL :)

[gremily]

PUL isn't necessarily needed, I'd probably make sure you have more layers on those pads. PUL is great for night time pads or for during your heavy days.

[Two Little Buggalugs]

Thanks Hoop and Grem, you've helped answer all my cloth pad questions! Now I've just got to get sewing...

Cheers :wave:

[gremily]

It's times like this I seriously wish I'd taken Home Ec at school and learned to sew rather than rebel against being such a girl!!

[ikis84]

lol, me too!

My DH sews (he even bough a sewing machine - he does quilting, lol)... maybe I could get him to teach me? :laughing:

[gremily]

:eek: Geez, you scored a good one didn't you!:D