Comments on: How can I reuse or recycle … (unused) sanitary towels & tampons?

By: anna

anna — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 01:26:14 +0000

One more idea of stuff seen in teh internet: tampon chandelier
http://www.neatorama.com/2010/03/12/chandelier-made-out-of-tampons/

By: Elouise

Elouise — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 10:19:29 +0000

May I suggest avoiding the whole discussion by using washable pads?

I bought a few online. They have a plastic sheet inside, that stops leakage. I soak them in cold water for a couple of hours, then throw them in the normal wash with clothes. If you choose darker fabrics, there is less of an issue with staining. They have all different thicknesses, absorbencies, etc.

You can buy them all over online now:

Look at lunapads.com

and

http://www.etsy.com/shop/VulvaLoveLovely (in the US, but ships internationally).

These are better for your body. The commercial pads are bleached and contain nasty chemicals (think Toxic Shock Syndrome).

By: Faith

Faith — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:13:23 +0000

When I was in the army, we used tampons for gunshot wounds. Also you could look at sending the extra pads or tampons to troops overseas because in some areas of Iraq and Afghanistan female hygiene items are hard to come by.

By: Lynell

Lynell — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 15:16:41 +0000

Do you have the pattern for the maxi slippers?
jcorneillie@mncable.net

By: cfjoey

cfjoey — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 11:47:52 +0000

Spray on your household cleaner of choice and wipe down kitchen surfaces.

By: mangobaby

mangobaby — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 16:54:26 +0000

U can use the tampons for nosebleeds although I hope you wouldn’t have that much blood coming out your nose.

By: NINFA

NINFA — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:33:03 +0000

DO LET US KNOW IF YOU DO.

By: heidi Barker

heidi Barker — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 20:21:48 +0000

Do you still require sanitary pads for your charity? and are you in the UK? I bought a huge box of them not realising they were not the thin pads but the maxi pads – i cannot use them.

By: tony

tony — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 12:53:00 +0000

hi, if you still have your stash of sanitary pads ertc no longer needed then pls let me know as i work for a charity that helps ladies who are either victims of abuse or homeless and we could make sure they are given to peopl who really need them

By: mormonsim

mormonsim — Sat, 17 May 2008 17:25:51 +0000

this is no lie. a soldier in Iraq was saved buy a comrad that stuck a tampon in his gunshot wound. Guess that’s a good tip if you live in Iraq. LOL

By: Pat

Pat — Wed, 07 May 2008 18:58:06 +0000

Sanitary napkins have been used to bandages for horses (they have a tendency to cut their legs on fences, etc.) If you know someone with horses, you could ask them

By: Alice

Alice — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 00:19:26 +0000

Yep, Mooncups are brilliant! I’ve had one for about 6 months now, and although I was a bit sceptical at first, I love it now.

If anyone has spare sanitary protection, PLEASE find out where your nearest Red Cross distribution point is. They give out food parcels to people who are destitute, and such people often also depend on them for toiletries. Very few people think of donating sanitary protection, but it is very much appreciated when donated.

By: Kat

Kat — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 04:22:28 +0000

Just like outgrown diapers, they are great for absorbing spills. Pads for small spills like a cup of water, diapers for massive spills (I once dropped a plastic gallon of water, and sucked it all up in 2 diapers in five minutes!) Not too sure what to do with the tampons.

By: Amber

Amber — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:32:17 +0000

I’ve heard of women using them after childbirth to soothe soreness by putting a little water in them and then freezing it and sitting on it. It’s supposedly very soothing for tears and stitches.

By: Karlie

Karlie — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 20:45:14 +0000

In General, they are NOT sterile. You could probably consider them clean, but definitely not sterile.

By: Renee

Renee — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 08:44:39 +0000

They’re great to have in a first aid kit. Just think: they’re sterile, and absorb so much. Perfect for big gashes/cuts. I also used pads when I went hiking (with my old backpack) and the stuck them under the backpack straps that dug into my shoulders.

By: Kelsey

Kelsey — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 20:11:20 +0000

My cat loves tampon “mice!” Just dispose of the applicator and throw it to kitty =D

By: anna

anna — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 20:51:45 +0000

You could make art of tampons
http://www.tamponcrafts.com/gun.html
Tampon gun is the most hilarious thing I’ve ever seen that has anything to do with female products, but there are a lot of other ideas on tamponcrafts site. Christmas decoration would be another good idea…

By: louisa

louisa — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 17:54:05 +0000

Oh, that's wonderful. And if you follow the link to Tampon Crafts, you can find other ideas. My personal favourite is the earrings... -louisa

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 03:40:41 +0000

http://www.neatorama.com/2007/11/19/tampon-turkey-centerpiece/

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 03:40:26 +0000

Turkey centerpiece…made from tampons (I would use markers or a biodegradable paint rather than spray paint…

By: NJTomboy

NJTomboy — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 00:20:45 +0000

Maxi pad slippers…. No, I am serious. lol

http://familycrafts.about.com/library/projects/blpadslippers.htm

By: Angharad

Angharad — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 04:39:24 +0000

Keep some for your first aid kit. They make excellent compresses and are particularly handy for larger cuts and abrasions.

By: Elouise

Elouise — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 13:13:46 +0000

I recall at school that if a girl found herself unprepared, we were told to go to the secretary’s office and ask for a sanitary pad. I’m sure that teenage girls are still caught off guard and still go to their favourite teacher or the office to ask for emergency supplies. Why not ask a teacher friend if you could donate the unused pads to them?

By: Butterscotch & Roses

Butterscotch & Roses — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 02:31:01 +0000

pads could be used inside of diapers for extra absorbancy?

By: Karlie

Karlie — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 15:00:17 +0000

The ultra thin type have the super absorbant polymer crystals – so put them over the hole in teracota pots to keep the soil in and hold a little extra moisture for your plants.

Also, the Keeper was out there before the moon cup and is a better alternative since it’s made of natural rubber and should you ever be done with it, it it biodegradable.

By: KJ Scott

KJ Scott — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 13:23:17 +0000

That was my thought, also. Women’s shelters are always in need of these products, as are general “homeless shelters.”

By: Delusion

Delusion — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 13:18:41 +0000

Firstly, the moon cup IS a great invention although, for anyone who a) doesnt want to use it or b) may need a pad on a heavier day, you can also buy Organic cotton sanitary produts such as – Naturacare (http://www.naturalcollection.co.uk/natural-products/Organic-Cotton-Sanitary-Towels-and-Pads.aspx) – these are cotton, no perfume, no plastics, no harmful chemicals!!!

In certain situations these Naturacare ones can even be composted!

As to the unused old nasty plastic ones – there are some charities who send them to Africa / Kosovo etc but trying to FIND details about these charities are proving difficult.

Everything I have found states they want them then when you get to addresses / or “how to help” pages they just ask for monetary donations!

By: kairon13

kairon13 — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 13:14:15 +0000

If there is a shelter for the homeless locally, they might be glad of them (and any surplus toiletries too).