cloth_pads

Hi everyone!

I thought I'd share some photos regarding the batting in cloth pads post. These photos are some pads I purchased a few years ago that have cotton batting in them. So I'd thought I'd show how batting looks like and the negatives about it. Some folks in the previous post were curious about how it can look like in a pad.

Some photos!
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The original batting in cloth pads post has a really nice description about its negatives. Simply put it's not appropriate at all for cloth pads. If you are browsing around to buy and a listing is not specific about what type of cotton is in a cloth pad - do be picky. I've also seen cotton batting go by "Warm and Natural cotton" "cotton with no glues or resins" "cotton wadding" "absorbent cotton material" " all natural absorbent layer/inner". When I purchased these pads, the listing said organic cotton as the core, but I mistakenly thought it was organic cotton fleece because it was fluffy like... The same applies for bamboo too. Bamboo batting is nothing like real bamboo fabrics. Cloth pads that have batting look poofy or thick in the center area similar to a flat seat cushion. But when you receive them, what looked like poofy and thick is just air and the pad is oddly light despite being poofy/thick. A listing that says "cotton" absorbent inner isn't enough information.

I'd also like to note that batting is a bit more pricey than good old cotton flannel. Paying more for something (the batting) that isn't a fabric or even durable confuses me, I guess because it adds a "poofyness" without needing much layers?
That being said, cotton flannel is a fantastic fabric for cloth pads. It's fairly inexpensive, easy to find and so durable. It is also pretty absorbent when there is enough layers and dries pretty quickly. It's easy to sew with even for beginners as it doesn't slide around much and keeps its shape. Cotton terrycloth is also another great fabric too, it's a bit thicker than cotton flannel though.
There is also another fabric called "Cotton Birdseye Diaper Cloth" which is mainly used for things like cloth diapers, cloth wipes, or un-paper towels. It is also absorbent, quick-drying and inexpensive.
ETA: Bamboo flannel is also sold online. It's really soft but a bit slippery.

 I'd just like to inform newbies to cloth pads or those looking to make their own. Customers do have a right to know what they are buying. Cloth pads are an investment and money doesn't grow on trees, obviously! Be informed and be picky :)

Comments or questions? :)

So some of my pads became moldy after soaking.

I'm sorry I know this is going to seem dumb but please don't judge me.

My last period was april 27 and I have not actually washed the pads yet (they've been soaking). I've been chronically ill and doing laundry is often the last thing on my mind.

This period was the first time I had folded the used pads and tossed them in the clothes hamper after use, so the blood was dried on. I had to soak them for a long time (but the stains still wouldn't come out. 3 weeks later, still had stains. So, growing tired of waiting, I used a little stain stick yesterday and waited. The stain stick got the stains out, but when I went to change the water on the pads later, I saw that several of them were growing MOLD!!!! I threw those ones out (about 4) and threw the rest in the dryer immediately. Most of them didn't LOOK moldy, but they were in the same container so I'm worried about them.

Yes, I know, 3 weeks. BUT I changed the water every day and stirred/checked the pads every day but did not notice any problem until I used the stain stick last night. Is it possible for stain sticks to be contaminated?

And I guess my biggest question is: is it safe to use diluted bleach to wash the pads that survived the visual mold check? I really don't want to throw away the $40+ worth of pads that were soaking in that container including a lot of super cute prints and some of my favorites... Bleach does kill mold right? Should I just throw them all away? I don't have that many left; my stash is relatively small.

I feel so stupid posting this. I don't need people telling me I'm an idiot I just want some advice. :[

Hey guys. I am new to livejournal but I wanted to say that the reason I joined is because I learned so much about cloth pads and cups through reading about everyone else's experience. I am estranged from my mother and don't have any close female family members or friends, so I am incredibly appreciative that there is a place like this where I can get my fix of "girly stuff" without feeling like I'm in the dark.

I bought my first menstrual cup (a lunette) about four cycles ago. Since then, I've been trying to use up my old disposable products (I hate for them to go to waste, it's too bad there's not somewhere I could donate them!) while steadily building up my supply of cloth products. I love them so much, it's starting to get annoying using my old disposables just for the sake of using them!

My current set up is this: I have one lunette cup and six regular charlie banana pads. I have a mini planet wise wet/dry bag that I can fit in my purse for emergencies and a large planet wise wet/dry bag that I keep in my bathroom (conveniently hooked to the tp dispenser). This setup is working great. I have a place to store my products and enough that I can alternate between my cup and pads depending on my mood. (I work from home so sometimes it's nice to just lounge in a pad, but I'm a runner and prefer the cup for more active activities)

For me, going to cloth and a reusable cup has been so addicting! But now I have a new pet peeve. I have always noticed that I go through a tremendous amount of toilet paper when I am on my period. My husband lovingly teases me that I go through a lot anyways (but then, he grew up in a house with only one female with three other guys, so maybe I'm just normal?) but on my period, it seems like it doubles!

I got to thinking that I love my charlie banana pads so much, and they also make items for babies like flannel wipes. Since I don't have children (I read a lot of women was their pads with diapers), I am always trying to put off washing our towels around the time that I am on my period just so that I can have a full load. I figured if baby wipes are good enough for a baby, and I am using reusable pads anyways, it might make sense to use them during my period to cut back on the amount of tp. I also thought it would be great for those times when I'm cleaning up after... ya know. Wrestling. With my husband. In bed. :) We're trying to get pregnant, so... ya know.

It seems like a no brainer to me, but I haven't been able to find anything about other women using this method, and that makes me a little nervous.

Another route that I have considered is investing in a bidet that attaches to the toilet seat. I've read lots of comments about how that works on the backend (apparently great, even if it is a little off putting at first) but have yet to read anything about women using it for clean up during that time of the month.

I know this has been a long post but if you're still reading, I appreciate it. I am really interested to see what everyone else's opinions are in regard to tp use during their period. Does it really go up, or am I imagining it? I guess it's not really a problem, but now that I've been spoiled with my super soft cloth pads, the tp is really starting to annoy me (not to mention, it's expensive!). Has anyone else encountered this and came up with a solution? Thanks in advance!

Hey everybody,

I am very excited to have gotten my sister to try cloth panty-liners and that very shortly we will be placing a custom order together for Mimi's Dreams - one of my all-time faves!  When it comes to Mimi's Dreams pads, I have always ordered hemp in the past.  I am considering trying three layers of flannel on a couple of them to thin them out even more, but I'm curious about just how absorbent the flannel would be relative to the hemp... less absorbent, I know, but to what extent?  Most of my pads from other shops have other types of cores, so I'm unsure about how much flow flannel can take.  (I do have two C-Pops but haven't tested their limit and my period's not due for a while yet).  Do you find that three layers of flannel is absorbent enough for your regular flow?  I have a feeling that I have been ordering more absorbency than I need, or at least wearing more absorbency than I need lately, particularly since my flow has decreased a lot since my IUD insertion, which is when I ordered the majority of my pads.

In case this info helps answer the question: I would say my flow is regular-heavy for two-three days, and then tapers off quickly to a regular-light flow for four days... it's these four days that I'm interested in trying the flannel for.  On the heaviest day my Diva cup is over 3/4 full by the end of the day without emptying it between morning and evening; I would need about seven regular pads from morning to bed-time on that same day if I opted for pads over a cup.  For the lighter days that follow, I need two to three pads per day.

Thank you in advance for your advice on flannel!  Your time and opinions are much appreciated.

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome back into the pad making world! It feels great to be back and I am going to continue to stock more pads every Friday.


You can check out Punky's Pads here! I plan on selling again in other shops soon.


I am now offering free shipping if you win/purchase 2 or more pads! New fabrics coming soon as well!

Hi,
I am a happy cloth pads/menstrual cup user!
Thank you all for all of your help! I seriously couldn't do any of this without any of you friendly people. I currently have a Lunette size 1 Aine, a Femmecup, a large classic MeLuna with regular stem, and I'm getting a divacup soon. I just love having them all!
I also have many cloth pads thanks to donations from very nice people and also from buying some of my own. I have about 15 now!! Haha way more than needed for a monthly stash :D
I really want to get my sister into using reusable menstrual products. She is 22 and wants to start with cloth pads. What do you people think she should start with? She wants a pad that can last her 3-4 hours. She is a straight bleeder, which isn't very easy to work with. She is also very heavy flowed. Will fill up a super tampon on a "normal" flow day in 2 hours. Which brand/pad would you recommend? Also, I'm on a tight budget because I am only 14 and am hoping to spend as little as possible.
I hope to eventually get her to convert to cups, but baby steps haha
Thank you so much!!

Hi pad friends, 

I can't believe it's been 5 years since I started Amy's Rag Bag!  I'm running a raffle at amysragbag.com and I'm also looking for ways to repurpose all the empty thread spools that have accumulated over the years.  I'm offering $10 store credit to anyone who gives me a winning idea, and $10 for the raffle.  Please follow this link to comment and enter.  Thanks!

Hello! I'm a cup wearer, but like having the option of wearing a pad too.
The first cloth pads I bought were liners from EcoHipCustomDesigns. They work great, no problems.
A few months ago I purchased a couple of pads from ecoAlternatives. But these don't really absorb at all. I don't know if it's the consistency of my flow, which tends to be really mucous-y?
I'm just wondering if anyone has had similar problems and found solutions?

Hello Ladies,

I am a returning member of this community, but have not been active since 2006, so I just renewed my account with Livejournal and rejoined the Cloth Pads community again.

Recently I started destashing my collection of cloth pads and I have a lot that I don't use and would like to sell. I am not sure if I am allowed to post this here or not. If I am not, I do apologize and in that case please feel free to delete my post.

The pads that I have are mainly Sckoon organic cotton ones. I have them in all sizes (12 day pads, 16 day liners, 2 night pads, 3 night liners, 11 mini pads, 11 mini liners), both with leak-proof sheets built in and without. Among the day pads, I have 2 Sckoons that were sold long time ago (one of their very earliest styles that had no binding around the edges. I set them a bit apart from the others on the pics so you can see them well); only 1 of them was used once but I don't know which because I pre-wash all my pads. Overall, the pads are gently used, however, some of the minis have only been washed but not used.
I've included pics, if you need to see more, please e-mail me.

I also have 2 organic cotton undies from Blue Canoe brand that have been pre-washed but never been used in size L, and 1 Sckoon undie (dog print) in size S.

There is one mini Lunapads (cat print) with a regular liner (wingless) and one winged liner. This pad have been only used once, then I concluded it was too small for me.

There are 9 other pads in various sizes (4 are organic cottons) that I'll include free of charge. 1 geisha print that I bought a long time ago but I forgot the name of the seller, 3 other All-in-One Sckoon pads, and 1 Hagrag in the Little Horsey print with a matching liner and an additional large, pink Hagrag liner.

There are also 2 Sckoon carrying pouches.

I have a few more pads and liners that I'd like to give away but I didn't include them because they have slight staining and not sure if anyone wants these. If you do, please let me know, I'll include those as well free of charge. I just hate to throw things away with little blemish.

This is a huge stash and a great collection of Sckoon pads (that are unfortunately quiet expensive brand new) and includes items that are not manufactured anymore. It's also great if you are a collector of Sckoon prints!

As far as payments go, the price is $100, or you can make me your best offer. (Pads must go, because I just downsized and need space.) Price also includes shipping and handling to the US and I can take PayPal. If you live outside of the US, please let me know where.

If you have any questions feel free to contact me, I am glad to answer them! You can e-mail me at ivi_jeremy@msn.com

Bless,
Ivett

P.S. If you need to see more photos of anything in specific let me know, I can send you additional pictures!
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I am 24 years old and I suffer from Endometriosis. I just decided to switch from disposable menstrual products like tampons and liners. I have a light to heavy flow depending on the time of my cycle. I am currently using the Instead cups but they do not hold as much fluid and they tend to pop out if I cough/sneeze. I am one of those people that hates thick diaper like liners/pads. Being 5'3" and 112 pounds I tend to look like I am wearing a wet diaper if I wear maxi pads. I feel like anything other than a ultra thin pad just feels too bulky and wet. I have been looking at various sites like Lunapads and Gladrags but they are wayyy to pricey for my pockets. So overall my biggest needs from cloth pads would be to back up my Lunette cup(I am ordering it tomorrow). Also as liners or light day pads and maybe overnight on nights where I am in too much pain to wear a cup.

Can anyone suggest an affordable brand that has thin, absorbent and also comfortable pads?