BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Natural Living Menstrual supplies

Everyone knows about using rags instead of paper towels, and elasticized washable cloth covers for bowls instead of plastic wrap are awesome, but has anyone else tried cloth pads?
I used a Keeper when it was still an issue for me, but my daughter doesn't like tampons.She uses cloth pads, and she's really happy with them. Downside, it costs about what supplies cost for a year to get started if you buy pads that are already made. Upside, you're supporting cottage industry, not using bleached paper products, or the plastic they all come wrapped in, and that initial outlay more then makes itself up in a few years.
HoneybeeHill has really pretty pads made in fun fabrics and amazing customer service, and Amy's Rag Bag rocks my Docs by using all recycled fabric with a clever toggle type closure and 3 piece system that's easily customized for your needs.
I know, for a lot of people it's a bit extreme, but my daughter does "have a happy period". She really enjoys knowing she's reducing her carbon footprint, and the bit of extra time it takes, and extra supplies don't bother her. She keeps a water resistant make up bag in a side pocket in her purse to keep soiled ones until she can get home and rinse them out to be washed.
HillbillyHousewife has instructions
for making your own, as well as a lot more information.

I use sea sponge tampons as my menstrual supply of choice. The absorbency isn't quite as good as normal tampons, but other than that I don't really have any complaints.

They are sustainable, and reuseable so they are good all around. I've found the best price at JadeandPearl.com... They have some great products, as well as an array of alternative menstrual supplies.

Cloth menstrual pads and nursing pads are actually really nice. I bought some from hag rag that I love, and I got lots of cute nursing pads on Etsy .

I don't like tampons, but despite all my "greenness" I have never considered going the natural pad route. I think it is the "how to clean them" part that stops me. Do you just put them into the washing machine? Wouldn't they stain the other items they wash with?

Has anyone tried the Diva Cup? I read up on it awhile back and then chickened out and never bought one. It's suppose to be reusable and more along the line of a tampon, but it's different. I don't want to describe in detail so I've included the link!

www.divacup.com

You could always rinse them before adding them into your normal laundry. Or you could just wash them all together.

I'm a biologist, and I come back from the field nasty muddy. If a little mud will come out in the wash, so will a little menstrual blood!!

We were just talking about this fairly in depth during our last chat and I finally ordered some to use next month. I am hoping this will be another step towards going fully green and recyclable!

the keeper is another reusable cup. If you want to see if these work for you try Instead cups, not reuseable available at drug stores or grocery stores, target. I love them. some times you might leak on really hard days. My girlfriend has the keeper and she loves it. Good luck

My plan is to move to the reusable rags as well. Once i get fully settled into living on the road, i will use up my stash of pads and order the gladrags.

In the meantime, Lisa, how are they working for you?

I don't want to do the cup. I have trouble enough with tampons. I don't like putting things "in there." :-P

I agree with Jilly on the cup. We'll see how the rags go when I need them