So far, for Earth Month, I’ve shared reviews for period pants and a menstrual cup. The next thing I want to share with you is reusable menstrual pads.
It is the third type of eco-friendly period product that helps you save money and waste.
Before we dive into the reviews of the best reusable menstrual pads, I want to answer any questions you may have about them.
What are reusable menstrual pads?
They are like disposable menstrual pads but made from cloth materials. They absorb menstrual blood and are made to wash and reuse.
Are reusable menstrual pads sanitary?
When washed properly, yes, they are sanitary. In fact, many find reusable menstrual pads to be more sanitary than chemically made disposable menstrual pads.
How do you wash and care for a reusable menstrual pad?
To properly wash your menstrual pad, you first start by soaking it in water and, if you wish, an oxygen booster for 30 minutes or more. Then rinse it until the water is clear.
Should staining be an issue, treat the stain with a stain stick or spray. I use the Eco-Friendly Stain Remover by BunchaFarmers that I received from GenerationMe.
After you’re satisfied with the rinse and stain removal process, wash the menstrual pad in your regular laundry. Most pads can be put in the dryer, but if you want them to last as long as possible, line drying is best.
How long do reusable menstrual pads last?
Depending on care and how often the pad is used, reusable menstrual pads can last anywhere from 3-7 years.
If you’re wearing a daily reusable liner, it may last anywhere from 18-24 months.
Overall, that is impressive to single-use menstrual pads.
How many reusable menstrual pads do I need?
That depends. Pay close attention to your next period.
How many pads do you use during it?
Do you use light, regular, or super pads?
Knowing what you already use during your monthly cycle will help you determine how many reusable menstrual pads you need.
The great news is that reusable menstrual pads come in all shapes and sizes, which you’ll see later in this post. This means you can really customize your collection to work for you.
Do reusable menstrual pads leak or stay in place?
I personally have not experienced leaking, but I have experienced the menstrual pad moving a little.
The best advice to ensure no leakage or movement is to use the proper size pad paired with underwear that allows the pad to fit snugly around it. When you get the pad in the proper place with the proper underwear, you won’t have to worry about leaks or movement.
If you have any further questions, be sure to leave them below in the comments so that I can answer them for you. Within the reviews below, I will cover the materials used, which is why I didn’t include all of that in the questionnaire section.
Are there any odors?
No! The odors you smell when wearing a disposable pad are due to the chemicals within the pad causing a chemical reaction with the blood.
Because reusable menstrual pads are made without plastic or harmful chemicals, you don’t get that chemical reaction that creates the odor.
The Best Reusable Menstrual Pads Reviewed
These reviews are to share with you about the companies, the pads, and my review of the pads so that you can confidently make the switch to a more eco-friendly period product.
The following will be covered for each reusable menstrual pad:
- Location of business and where the pads are made
- Materials Used
- Packaging
- My review
GenerationMe Reusable Cloth Pads Review
GenerationMe is located in Wisconsin, USA, which is also where the pads are made.
Here are the material facts pulled straight from GenreationMe’s website:
- The top is made from 100% Cotton.
- The absorbent core made from organic bamboo fleece provides thin, non-bulky protection.
- Bottom is an ultra-plush, lightweight, velour fleece that provides complete breathability, durability, and water resistance. Our top-quality velour finish is comprised of extra soft, densely packed fibers that provide an ultra-smooth texture that most fleece lacks and also assures extreme pill resistance.
- KAM plastic snaps are made from polyacetal resin, a type of plastic that is stronger and more durable than other types of plastic.
The packaging for shipment was a plastic reusable envelope. It was the first I had ever seen, and love that I get to reuse it!
The pads were secured with twine. I would consider this zero-waste packaging because I plan to use the twine for gifts.
My experience using GenerationMe’s Cloth Pads
The materials are wonderful to wear. The fleece on the bottom makes it almost impossible for the pad to move around.
The 10″ and 12″ heavy pads are my favorite of all of them because I can wear them overnight with complete peace of mind.
I will say that these are on the warmer size and one of the thicker brands. I don’t mind them being warmer because it is almost like a built-in heating pad where you need it most. 😉
Another thing I like is that the tag on the pad has an L, M, or H to help you identify absorbency levels [light, moderate, or heavy].
Overall, I really like these pads and definitely recommend them!
Check out all the fun patterns and sizes that GenerationMe has to offer!
Party In My Pants Pads Review
Party In My Pants is also located and produced in Wisconsin, USA.
Here is the material information from Party In My Pants’ website:
- Product Details: All-in-one design with breathable nylon leak-resistant bottom layer & nickel-free plated snaps.
- Flannel & Cotton Pads: 100% cotton upper, 100% cotton inner.
- Organic Pads: 100% organic upper, 100% organic cotton inner.
[The ones in the photo are all organic pads.]
The packaging used for shipping was a reusable envelope, and the pads were wrapped with tissue paper around the bundle.
My experience using Party In My Pants Pads
I think the Party In My Pants Luxe Liner and Bitsy Pad are a unique take on pads. Their shape is to not have so much material towards your bottom.
They are actually quite comfortable, but a small mental hurdle to overcome if you’re used to having equal lengths on each side of the clasp.
These pads are pretty customizable in the sense that you can choose a double snap or a snap extender to better fit your needs. I personally didn’t find that I needed that, but I love having that option.
Because the bottom is nylon, I did find that if my underwear wasn’t wide enough to keep the pad in place, it did move a little. However, it wasn’t moving around a lot or all day.
It was because I moved funny, and the pad moved with me.
These pads are probably the thinnest overall compared to the other brands, which I like. Some days, I want that extra cushion, and other days I love having such a lightweight pad. The key for me is options because not all cycles are created equal.
I highly recommend Party In My Pants pads, especially the Bitsy pad!
Padtastic Reusable Cloth Pads Review
Padtastic is located in Washington, USA. The reusable cloth pads are also made in Washington, USA.
The materials include Cotton Flannel, PUL, Terry Cloth
If you’re wondering what PUL is, here is what I found on Padtastic’s website:
PUL, or Polyurethane Laminate, is a fabric that has been laminated with Polyurethane. The layer of PUL is hidden inside the core of the pad and offers a leakproof, yet breathable layer for a worry-free period.
[source]
The packaging for the shipment was a bubble envelope that I could definitely use a second time.
The pads were wrapped in tissue paper.
My Padtastic Cloth Pads experience
These pads are unlike the rest because the pads are double-layered. They aren’t super thick, but you know you’re protected when you wear them.
Like GenerationMe, the fabric bottom makes movement more difficult, so I haven’t really experienced any movement when pairing them with the right underwear.
My favorite part is that they are black, so I can clean them and don’t have to worry about the staining as I do with the pretty patterns and organic pads. They do have other colors and patterns, but it is nice to have worry-free pads.
Just like the other two brands, I definitely recommend Padtastic cloth pads!
Click here to check out all that Padtastic has to offer!
Tree Hugger Cloth Pads Review
Tree Hugger Cloth Pads are based and produced in Canada. They ship to Canada and USA residents.
For the material, I’m sharing what I personally received, which is the natural un-dyed organic bamboo cloth pads:
- Ultra-soft, smooth bamboo velour top (70% bamboo rayon, 28% organic cotton, 2% polyester)
- Wind Pro® breathable, water-repellent fleece backing
They do have other materials, including minky and cotton, available.
The packaging for the shipment was a reusable plastic envelope.
My Tree Hugger Cloth Pads experience
I’ve had the least amount of time with these pads, but let me tell you, they are great!
These pads are SO SOFT! I can’t even describe how soft they are!
They are one of the thicker pad brands, but as soft as they are, your lady parts will thank you for the cushion.
What I truly love about Tree Hugger Cloth Pads is their mission. For each pad they sell, they plant one tree! So the set I received plants 4 trees!
I think this goes without saying, but I definitely recommend Tree Hugger Cloth Pads!
Click to order your own set now!
My thoughts overall
I titled this post 100% accurately. These truly are the best reusable menstrual pads!
You cannot go wrong with any of them, so I suggest getting a few pads from each company.
Just thinking of the money you’ll save, as well as the disposable pads you’ll save from the landfill, is a no-brainer to make the transition to reusable menstrual pads.
Just a quick history lesson, I’m honestly not someone who wears pads. I was a tampon user up until a couple of months ago. With that being said, I LOVE these reusable menstrual pads!
Final thoughts
I hope you enjoyed learning about reusable menstrual pads and the ones I highly recommend!
I’d love to know if you’re going to make the eco-friendly period product transition with me. You can let me know by leaving a comment below so that we can chat about it!
I’d also love to know if you already use eco-friendly period products. If so, what do you use and recommend?
I can’t wait to share the stories below in the comments with you!
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