Reusable Products
Reusable products are becoming more and more popular as the word is getting out! These are all new alternatives to dealing with that time of the month(: There are many different types, this page should give you a better understanding of how and all about each of the products!
Reusable pads
Reusable pads and liners are a new eco-friendly option you can use during your period! Now, before you say "ick" or "eww" take a look at these pictures, and see how fashionable these pads really are!
Aren't those cute? Reusable pads are made with a variety of different fabric styles, patterns, and options. Most fabric options are cotton, flannel, or organic cotton. Some also even use velour! They usually have some type of water resistant core, so you don't soak through the fabric. The most common is nylon, but they also use natural bamboo and many other options! And believe it or not reusable pads are super easy to clean!
There are two different styles of reusable pads, All in Ones, and Pocket Style.
There are two different styles of reusable pads, All in Ones, and Pocket Style.
All-in-ones
All in ones are basically the same as what they are called, an all in one! They are made with the fabric option of your choice and some form of waterproof backing or absorbent material. Here are some pictures of them.
Pocket style
Pocket Style pads are custom made to fit you! You have your base pad which is just your fabric option of your choice and the waterproof backing or absorbent material then something called liners or soakers (different companies call them different things) you add these on or into the base pad to make your pad more absorbent to fit your unique flow! Here are a few types below.
Cleaning & Care
All you have to do to clean the pad or liner is to rinse it under some COLD water (the water must be cold because hot or warm water will cause the blood to leave a stain) then throw it in your hamper or a special soaking bucket (just take a plastic container and fill up with some water, and voila!)
When you're ready to wash them, all you gotta do is pop them in the washer and then in the dryer. Keep in mind if you have All in Ones style you may want to keep them in the dryer for half a cycle so your waterproof fabric won't degrade over time. NEVER EVER use a fabric softener, it makes your pads less absorbent because it leaves a film to essentially make them softer.
When you're ready to wash them, all you gotta do is pop them in the washer and then in the dryer. Keep in mind if you have All in Ones style you may want to keep them in the dryer for half a cycle so your waterproof fabric won't degrade over time. NEVER EVER use a fabric softener, it makes your pads less absorbent because it leaves a film to essentially make them softer.
Where to find reusable pads
You can find reusable pads online. Some brands can be found in health food stores and little boutiques. Here are the websites to some the reusable pads I've tried.
♥ Blossom Pads
♥ LunaPads
♥ PartyinMyPantsPads
♥ GladRags
♥ Blossom Pads
♥ LunaPads
♥ PartyinMyPantsPads
♥ GladRags
Menstrual cups
Menstrual cups are all the rage right now! Many women and even teens are using them! Now you're probably wondering what they are? Well menstrual cups are a collecting cup that sits low inside the vagina. Now I know what you may be thinking, why the heck would I use that? I've listed some cool benefits of menstrual cups below.
♥ Can be worn up to 12 hours!
♥ You can sleep while using them.
♥ Almost no risk of TSS (Toxic Shock Syndrome)
♥ They hardly ever leak!
♥ Great for many sports, including swimming, biking, skiing, gymnastics and many more!
♥ Made of safe medical grade materials (typically silicone).
♥ No strings or anything coming out of your body! You're totally free!
♥ Can be worn up to 12 hours!
♥ You can sleep while using them.
♥ Almost no risk of TSS (Toxic Shock Syndrome)
♥ They hardly ever leak!
♥ Great for many sports, including swimming, biking, skiing, gymnastics and many more!
♥ Made of safe medical grade materials (typically silicone).
♥ No strings or anything coming out of your body! You're totally free!
cleaning & Care
Now you may be thinking reusable? How is this going to be cleaned and so on! Trust me, it's super simple! Once you feel it's time to remove your cup simple remove it from your vagina (it helps to bear down almost like your pottying) and pull down, it's that simple! Now with the cup in hand dump the content down the toilet and give your cup a quick rinse with water and a light, dye-free soap. Now if your out and about and you don't want to wash your cup in a public restroom's sink, you can always take some toilet paper and wipe the cup down or you can come a little more prepared with a water bottle and just rinse the cup over the toilet! It's super simple! At the end of each month different companies have different ways of sanitizing the cup, some companies recommend you boil your cup for a certain time, some companies prefer for you to use sterilizing tablets. Check with your cup's company for cleaning!
Where to buy
The Diva Cup can also be found on the LunaPads website or on TheDivaCup's website and the Lady Cup and be found on the LadyCup's website! There are also a lot of other cups out there! For example,Lunette, Ju-Ju, MoonCup U.S., The Keeper Moon Cup and much more!