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One of the biggest causes of waste is the daily and monthly use of sanitary pads and napkins. While they are certainly a necessity, if you are concerned about the environment, want to strive to lessen the amount of trash your family uses, or simply want to save a little money, reusable pads may be a great alternative.
Below we are featuring a few great feminine pad options in a variety of fun prints that include pantiliners for daily wear, various sized pads to be worn during your period, and a couple of great non-menstruation-based options that are just as important.
These reusable pads and pantiliners are all machine washable, toxic-free, and made of highly absorbent, soft materials that won’t irritate the skin. Some have also included charcoal bamboo inner layers to help neutralize any odors while maximizing dryness and soaking up excess fluid. And, if you are in need of other reusable options, we have also included some washable nursing pads and a washable bed pad to help make breastfeeding and potty training a more pleasant experience.
Our Favorite Reusable Pads
Natissy Reusable Panty Liners — Best Overall
These reusable panty liners are made with 100% cotton for an all-natural feeling to provide the safest, most comfortable experience. These liners have wings that snap around the underwear to keep them in place, are perfect for daily use, and are great for giving protection for those heavier days leading up to your period as well. They are also washable by hand or in the machine, come in two size options, and are discreet so they won’t show through any clothing.
Bamboobies Reusable Pads — Best Nursing Pads
This washable nursing pad variety pack comes with three pairs of regular, thin heart-shaped nursing pads and three pairs of thick, super-absorbent overnight pads. These pads are meant to be placed in the bra to prevent leaks all day and night and their heart and round shapes cup the breast for a perfect fit no matter the cup size. They are also thin, discreet, and made from a super soft rayon velour material that is ideal for even the most sensitive skin types.
Wegreeco Bamboo Pads — Cutest Prints
These reusable sanitary pads come in small, medium, and large sizes that are perfect for light, medium, and heavier flow days. These pads are made from breathable, absorbent, and soft fabric that won’t irritate the skin and have an inner layer of charcoal bamboo to ensure maximum dryness and help neutralize odors. They also come with a convenient two-snap design to securely fasten them around your underwear and ensure they stay in place all day and night.
Teamoy Sanitary Pads — Best Value for Money
This set of sanitary pads comes with 10 reusable pads that can be used during a period or as comfortable panty liners on a daily basis. Similar to our option above, these come in three different sizes for a variety of menstrual flows and have four super absorbent layers to prevent leaks and spills. These pads also have wings to help provide the ultimate protection and snap closures keep them from bunching and moving.
Rael Organic Cloth Pads — Most Discreet
Made from 100% certified organic cotton, these reusable cloth pads are extra gentle and safe for even the most sensitive skin types. Unlike our other options, these have a whopping 5-layers of moisture-wicking protection to keep you extra dry while an hourglass shape with snap closure ensures they stay in place. These pads also have unique channel designs to trap fluids and side panels for added security and their no-fuss care makes them easy to incorporate into your regular laundry routine.
Green Lifestyle Underpads — Best Underpads
Another type of washable pad are these specialty underpads that come in a pack of four, are made for larger beds, and can be used for incontinence, potty training toddlers and kids, or as reusable pet pads. You can also place them on top of your sheets in case of any leaks during heavy flow nights. These pads are highly absorbent with a quilted cloth designed to lock in moisture to ensure no leakage and are machine washable.
Heart Felt Cloth Pads — Best for a Heavy Flow
Another great reusable sanitary pad are these lace options that are meant to be used during your period. The maker of these pads has basically thought of everything to keep you comfortable during your period as they include a stay dry, moisture-wicking design with ultra-absorbent layers, a stain-proof surface and are infused with charcoal to help eliminate any smells. They also have an ultra-soft top layer that won’t irritate the skin and a snap design feature ensures they stay put.
Buying Guide: Reusable Pads
Times are changing for the better, and women have ample choices when choosing sanitary napkins and menstrual cycle-related products. In addition, women are proactively looking to make their period choices sustainable and eco-friendly. One of the menstrual hygiene products that is gaining traction these days is reusable cloth pads. They might seem like a primitive solution to help you through the monthly flow, but the top reusable pads in 2024 will change your life for the better. This buying guide fleshes out all the details regarding cloth pads to ride out the heavy menstrual flow.
Why Switch to Reusable Pads?
There are multiple benefits and reasons to switch to reusable pads. And if you are doing it for the right reasons, reuseable cloth pads can alter how you experience your periods.
Won’t end up in landfills
Disposable sanitary napkins are wasteful. So, unlike disposable sanitary pads, reusable pads do not add more junk to the landfills. Furthermore, cotton cloth pads easily break down or degrade compared to disposable sanitary napkins. Therefore, you won’t feel the guilt of cluttering up the world more, as cloth pads are highly environment friendly.
Reusable pads are a healthier choice
Over the years, women have been overlooking the fact that disposable pads contain too many chemicals and are made with a plastic material that is not friendly for the sensitive parts of your body. Instead of exposing your body to unnecessary chemicals and sensitizing agents, the cloth pads are completely organic that do not interfere with your body’s chemistry. There can be various health complications like infections or toxic shock syndrome (TSS) due to disposable pads and tampons. Therefore, keep your body happy down there and invest in reusable pads.
Save money and the environment
The number of disposable sanitary products adds up every cycle for an average woman, resulting in economic and environmental stress. In comparison, the reuseable cloth pads and liners can easily last you a year or more. Plus, it's not just the bucks you are saving, giving up disposable pads and tampoons also cuts down on the waste that you create in your life.
Essential Considerations When Choosing the Top Reusable Cloth Pads
You need proper information before you make the switch to reusable pads. Here are a few essential pointers to ensure that the reusable pads you buy are the perfect purchase.
The right fabric
Reusable pads are as good as the fabric its made from. There are three fabric layers with reusable cloth pads: i.,e., topper, core, and backing fabrics. The choice of fabric in a reusable pad is responsible for certain factors, such as its absorbent properties and comfort.
Reuseable pads are available in various fabric choices ranging from organic cotton, suede, jersey to fleece, velour, and bamboo.
Natural vs. synthetic fabrics: Which one to opt for?
Natural and synthetic fabrics are both perfect for choice for reusable pads; however, the kind of cloth pad you pick depends entirely on your comfort. Reusable pads made with natural fabrics such as cotton and flannel are quite breezy and perfect for days when you have a light flow. However, natural fabrics' absorbency and wicking capability are not suitable for heavy flow.
Synthetic fabric reusable pads offer maximized absorbency due to their thickness, and the blood wicks through the surface to keep you dry. Additionally, synthetic fabrics are quite long-lasting and do not stain or wear out as quickly as flannels or cotton.
Core layer fabric: for absorbency
The core layer in reusable pads is responsible for absorbent properties and is placed between the topper and backing layers. The core layer is a high-absorbing fabric strip that does all the weightlifting of soaking the blood flow, saving you from any leakage issue. For reusable cloth pads with natural fabrics, you can opt for fleece, bamboo, or cotton core layer for reusable cloth pads with natural fabrics for higher absorbency. Additionally, you can look for cloth pads that are made with fabrics that have a higher fiber count.
Pad length & width
Like disposable pads, cloth pads come in all shapes, sizes, and flap features. When you are deciding the length and width of your reusable pad, consider the direction of your menstrual flow. If the blood flow is straight down, you can go for pads with optimal length. However, for people with flows that go towards the front or back, you will need cloth pads that have a longer back or front to avoid leaking. One easy to find the right size of reusable pads is to use your usual disposable pads as a measurement reference to find your perfect fit.
The right width of reusable pads prevents the blood from leaking through the edges. You must look for a pad that properly snaps over your underwear’s crotch to avoid slippage and discomfort.
Easy Tips for Switching and Maintaining Reusable Cloth Pads
Do not switch instantly
Switching to reusable cloth pads is a complete lifestyle change. Therefore, instead of jumping the bandwagon right away, gradually switch to reusable pads. Start with a limited stash of fabric pads and go for different styles to find what fits you right and feels comfortable.
The cleanup isn’t gross
One of the reasons women might hesitate to switch to reusable pads is the idea of washing it off. However, you can go for a machine or hand wash, depending on your preference. Also, you should go for gentle detergents or vinegar and soda mix to wash off the blood to make sure that no harsh chemicals come in contact with your body. Plus, the optimum water temperate for a thorough pad cleanup is up to 104º F. Once you get past the queasiness, washing the soiled pads gets easier. You can just run the soiled pad under the water stream or soak it in for half an hour to wash off the blood.
