Comments on: What can I reuse to make washable sanitary pads?

By: Rachael

Rachael — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:18:12 +0000

I started with my daughters old terry nappies just cut up and folded to fit in my knickers and then bought some :) its nice to treat yourself to some made by someone else and to support a small business.

Moon Times have a charity on thier site too- supporting a maternity Hospital in Rwanda and pink pads for a cancer support centre…what a lovely idea!
http://www.moontimes.co.uk/shop/category/pads-for-charity/

By: Kara

Kara — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:51:28 +0000

Anything you can use to make baby diapers (nappies), you can use for menstrual pads – including actual nappies. I like cotton flannel and fleece, with a windbreaker nylon backing to prevent soaking through. Any reclaimed fabrics need to be at least 80% cotton, bamboo, or wool to be absorbent enough, and polyester will either repel or wick moisture without absorbing it at all.

By: Cipollina

Cipollina — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:09:38 +0000

Oh, forgot to mention that I am about to buy a new bunch of underwear to wear during period (big, soft & snug as opposed to the minimal lacey string I wear the rest of the time), and am actually thinking about fastening the inserts directly to them using snap fasteners or velcro or something.

By: Alice

Alice — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:32:43 +0000

Just a reminder for anyone switching to a Mooncup or other reusable sanitary wear.

Your local woman’s refuge often gives shelter to women who have had to leave their homes in minutes, with no chance to take anything and no possessions other than what they’re wearing at the time.

Any unused tampons or sanitary towels you still have when you switch, PLEASE donate them to Women’s Aid or similar – find your local service here – http://www.womensaid.org.uk/landing_page.asp?section=000100010024

Also please don’t be embarrassed to donate unused sanitary products to shelters for the homeless or destitute asylum seekers. Yes they do need them!

By: Cipollina

Cipollina — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:35:38 +0000

I use pieces of old and stained terrycloth towels and worn-out t-shirts as inserts in homesewn pads with “wings”. I cut the terrycloth ones so they can be folded twice and make three layers, while the t-shirt ones can be folded a couple of more times.

I made the pad pattern on the inside of a a cerealbox following the shape of a commercial pad, only made the “wings” so long they overlapped and stitched in tiny snap fasteners to close them (no, I don’t feel them at all). These are made from bits of left-over cotton flannel.

To keep the insert/s in place I have sewn a cotton ribbon across near each end on the “inside” of the pads under which I tuck the ends of insert/s. At the end of the period I can use only the pad without any insert/s.

Bonus recycling: my garden is happy to receive the diluted blood that I rinse out of the inserts before washing them.