Making the Switch to Cloth Sanitary Pads: Which ones should I get?

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Making the Switch to Cloth Sanitary Pads: Which ones should I get?
« on: April 16, 2007, 05:28:49 PM » by joychild24seven

My friend, who is a single SAHM is starting up a business making cloth sanitary products.(They are so funky and gorgeous!!!) I've been helping her research (I've got the time and the internet access, she has 2 toddlers...) 2 mil PUL fabric is reccommended by most as the best fabric. It is pricey tho... most I've found is close to $8 a yard or more.

Hope that helps!

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Re: Making the Switch to Cloth Sanitary Pads: Which ones should I get?
« Reply #1 on: April 16, 2007, 10:55:48 PM » by herbalmom

Quote from: joychild24seven on April 16, 2007, 05:28:49 PM

2 mil PUL fabric is reccommended by most as the best fabric. It is pricey tho... most I've found is close to $8 a yard or more.

What is PUL fabric? Thanks Blessings ~herbalmom

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Re: Making the Switch to Cloth Sanitary Pads: Which ones should I get?
« Reply #2 on: April 16, 2007, 11:04:44 PM » by herbalmom

Quote from: herbalmom on April 16, 2007, 10:55:48 PM

Quote from: joychild24seven on April 16, 2007, 05:28:49 PM

2 mil PUL fabric is reccommended by most as the best fabric. It is pricey tho... most I've found is close to $8 a yard or more.

What is PUL fabric? Thanks Blessings ~herbalmom

Found the answer, here's a quote from www.diapershop.com:

"PUL" is a phrase was coined by a mom who ran the first co-op for polyurethane laminate fabrics. Some say it like the word "pull" some refer to it by saying the letters, "P-U-L". In diapering this fabric is usually a polyester knit, tricot, or a poly/cotton blend that is bonded to the urethane layer making it waterproof. While many remember the rubber pants of yester-year that yellowed, cracked, and retained odor, PUL is a vast improvement. PUL makes soft, breathable, leak proof covers and All in One diapers (diapers with the cover sewn right in). PUL can also be used to make bed wetter sheets, training pants, cloth menstural pads, and nursing pads.

The medical industry uses PUL fabric for their surgical gowns and drapes because they are fluid proof and can be autoclaved at high temperatures to sanitize. Because this fabric is built to withstand high temperatures, it can be washed on hot and dried on hot. Covers and All in One diapers sewn with PUL will last through a child's entire diapering period and often will still be in good enough condition to use on a second or third child.

Blessings ~herbalmom

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Re: Making the Switch to Cloth Sanitary Pads: Which ones should I get?
« Reply #3 on: April 16, 2007, 11:06:57 PM » by shesaidthis

Quote from: joychild24seven on April 16, 2007, 05:28:49 PM

My friend, who is a single SAHM is starting up a business making cloth sanitary products.(They are so funky and gorgeous!!!)

Does she have a website or information?

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Re: Making the Switch to Cloth Sanitary Pads: Which ones should I get?
« Reply #4 on: April 17, 2007, 01:24:39 PM » by homesteadmommy

I would like to try some cloth sanitary napkins but so many of them on the web are around $10 a piece - and I just can't afford that and really don't have the extra time to sew my own. Does anyone know of somewhere I can get them for less and they are still good quality?

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Re: Making the Switch to Cloth Sanitary Pads: Which ones should I get?
« Reply #5 on: April 17, 2007, 01:48:05 PM » by ndmomof6

I am new to cloth. I did not want to start my dds on store bought pads. I got mine here...

www.mom-and-me-creations.com/ClothMom.html

She does beautiful work. I bought the Post Partum pads for myself and some 9" and some 10" for my dds. They may seem expensive, but you have to keep in mind that they will last you a long time. When I started figuring what it would cost for my dds and myself, I soon realized it wouldn't take long for me to spend on store bought pads what I spent on cloth. And I'm washing diapers anyway, so laundry isn't a big deal for me.

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Re: Making the Switch to Cloth Sanitary Pads: Which ones should I get?
« Reply #6 on: April 17, 2007, 02:34:04 PM » by herbs girl

Have you seen the panty-free cloth pads that you only have to change once a day? They are from Reddypads.com and come with a plush or regular belt and go all the way around from front to back. There's no pinning, underware, bunching, and supposudly no leaks. I have trouble with the we*gie thing with boughten pads. Sorry if TMI, but these things actually might be better than the boughten!!

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Re: Making the Switch to Cloth Sanitary Pads: Which ones should I get?
« Reply #7 on: April 29, 2007, 10:23:58 PM » by daisey

I got some cloth pads from http://homemademama.com recently and they are really nice. I believe her pads run between $7 and $9. It seems like a lot at the time but over an extended period that would pay for itself. I also have 3 daughters so it gets expensive. I haven't convinced them to use cloth yet, they think it sounds gross! i should have started them with cloth right away. Wink

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Re: Making the Switch to Cloth Sanitary Pads: Which ones should I get?
« Reply #8 on: May 04, 2007, 07:24:16 PM » by mexmarr

Hi, I am looking for opinions on cloth pads made with a water proof liner, versus pads w/o waterproof liner.

On one hand the waterproof seems great in that it would reduce the worries of a leak. A big plus!

On the other hand, I wonder if the waterproof layer would hold in extra heat and be more uncomfortable, and not be able to breath. I also wonder if the waterproof layer would wear out faster than the rest of the pad, reducing the life of the pad.

Any thoughts?

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Re: Making the Switch to Cloth Sanitary Pads: Which ones should I get?
« Reply #9 on: May 05, 2007, 12:09:51 PM » by mykidsmom

I use cloth pads made of hemp. They are super absorbant and very thin because of the hemp. They're spendy to start out but well worth it in the long run.

Here's the link http://www.mom-and-me-creations.com/ClothMom.html She talks about what kind of liner she uses so maybe that will help with your question.

patti

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Re: Making the Switch to Cloth Sanitary Pads: Which ones should I get?
« Reply #10 on: May 24, 2007, 05:29:52 PM » by joychild24seven

Quote from: shesaidthis on April 16, 2007, 11:06:57 PM

Quote from: joychild24seven on April 16, 2007, 05:28:49 PM

My friend, who is a single SAHM is starting up a business making cloth sanitary products.(They are so funky and gorgeous!!!)

Does she have a website or information?

Here's her first auction! Yay! Grin

I personally own several sets of these and love them!!! They wash and wear really well and are quite soft. I've also been known to double them if I need to for a pad (why it's nice to not have a liner, although she is making lined ones too). Aren't they pretty!

http://cgi.ebay.com/3-SOFT-FLANNEL-MENSTRUAL-MAMA-PADS-CLOTH-PANTYLINERS_W0QQitemZ220115273353QQihZ012QQcategoryZ67590QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

« Last Edit: May 24, 2007, 05:33:10 PM by joychild24seven »
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Re: Making the Switch to Cloth Sanitary Pads: Which ones should I get?
« Reply #11 on: May 24, 2007, 10:23:49 PM » by thus_I_fight

Diapersewing.com is where I got the pattern I used to make my cloth pads. I use them all the time, except when we're traveling. They're fairly comfortable, except that they don't mask the wetness like commercial pads do. I usually use two pads together in a snug-fitting panty on heavy flow days. They don't shift around much that way. I do go through them quickly on those days.

The best ones I have for heavy flow days have terry cloth in the center. I cut up an old, stained towel for that, and used extra receiving blankets for the flannel. I also made "heavy" pads without the terry, but I soak through those faster. As I recall, the terry ones have two layers of terry in the center, and one layer of flannel on the outsides. I don't have a serger, either. I just made sure to stitch all the layers together, catching the terry so it wouldn't unravel or bunch up, and then zigzagged around the outside.

My main problem is dealing with the stains. I usually rinse the pads and then put them in a bucket of water. I think I used to add oxy clean or color safe bleach to the water, but now I'd prefer not to use those. Last time I think I added borax. But the stains don't come out, and while it doesn't really matter, I'd prefer to have them look nicer after they're washed. Anyone have any suggestions on how to get the stains out?

As a side note, I still get itchy sometimes toward the end of the cycle, even when wearing cloth pads. I thought it was because of a lack of "breathability." Beats me. Or maybe it's because the pad doesn't get changed as often when the cycle slows down.

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Re: Making the Switch to Cloth Sanitary Pads: Which ones should I get?
« Reply #12 on: August 22, 2007, 09:59:40 PM » by mommyof3

I'm not sure if anyone has posted this website yet, but I found it in a catalog, looked it up and they(cloth pads) seem reasonable, so I just wanted to pass it along. www.gladrags.com Grin

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Re: Making the Switch to Cloth Sanitary Pads: Which ones should I get?
« Reply #13 on: November 29, 2007, 02:40:21 PM » by mommyoftwins

Ok, I am looking at switching to cloth, or something like the Divacup. Can you all tell me what your favorite product is and what's so great about it. I don't know where to start!

Thanks,
mommyoftwins

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Re: Making the Switch to Cloth Sanitary Pads: Which ones should I get?
« Reply #14 on: November 29, 2007, 07:03:27 PM » by havasmama_05

Quote from: mommyoftwins on November 29, 2007, 02:40:21 PM

A friend introduced me to Glad Rags earlier this year and I ordered from them. I have found other cloth products from gals here at WTM that I would have bought instead of the Glad Rags, had I know before hand. Oh well. I still like mine. But I do have to say that I love the Moon Cup, which is basically the same thing as the Diva, only it's made in the USA and you can cut the stem if it's too long. Mine stem was too long and it was so uncomfortable that I wouldn't have been able to use it if I hadn't cut it. Now it's very comfortable, I don't even know it's there. My routine, I use the night rags at night and have some day rags for the first day, maybe 2, of heavy bleeding. I use my cup the rest of the time (which ends up being most of my period.) You do need to empty it a lot when bleeding heavy, of course. Sometimes it can be a bit messy, especially when you're first getting use to it, but you'll catch up with the learning curve and it'll be easier than a tampon IMO. It's WAYYYYY better than the INSTEAD cup, if you've ever tried that.

In my "that time of the month" cupboard I have 2 night time pads and six day pads (with the extra liners they include.) I'm pretty sure I got 2 of Glad Rags intro packs. If I have to wash any pads before my period is over, it's only night pads, but I'm usually over the heavy part before I've used my 2, then I only need a day one for at night.

Hope that helps. Love the Moon Cup Kiss

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Re: Making the Switch to Cloth Sanitary Pads: Which ones should I get?
« Reply #15 on: November 29, 2007, 09:12:42 PM » by mhsmama4

I have cloth pads made by a WAHM in the style of Happy Heiny's brand. They have the microfleece tops...love these because stains come right out! I throw them in the wet bag with our cloth diapers and wash all that stuff together, no pre-soaking necessary. My first foray into cloth pads were a kind that had a pocket thing that snapped onto the undies, then the pad fit into that...didn't like those because the pocket kept getting messy and there were only like 3 of them in the set. With the kind I have now, the whole thing snaps on and is washed.

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Re: Making the Switch to Cloth Sanitary Pads: Which ones should I get?
« Reply #16 on: November 30, 2007, 10:55:04 AM » by joychild24seven

Quote from: joychild24seven on November 29, 2007, 06:38:29 PM

I love using the inserts because I can change them more often without changing the whole pad.

I should clarify... these inserts are on top of the base pad... so you can change out inserts all day and leave the base pad in place. They're not the interior-pocket type pad.

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Re: Making the Switch to Cloth Sanitary Pads: Which ones should I get?
« Reply #17 on: November 30, 2007, 01:08:45 PM » by homesteadmommy

I am researching postpartum pads and a bit overwhelmed in the process. Have any of you actually used cloth pads for postpartum and had sucess. What did you use?

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Re: Making the Switch to Cloth Sanitary Pads: Which ones should I get?
« Reply #18 on: November 30, 2007, 02:06:11 PM » by ndmomof6

Quote from: homesteadmommy on November 30, 2007, 01:08:45 PM

I am researching postpartum pads and a bit overwhelmed in the process. Have any of you actually used cloth pads for postpartum and had sucess. What did you use?

I just had a baby 2 month ago and used cloth pads postpartum and loved them. This was my first experience with them and I was very pleased. They were very comfortable and absorbent. No itching or leaks. This is where I got mine...

http://www.mom-and-me-creations.com

I ordered the postpartum for me and some of the others for my daugthers who are soon approaching "that age".

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Re: Making the Switch to Cloth Sanitary Pads: Which ones should I get?
« Reply #19 on: January 12, 2008, 08:40:49 PM » by healthybratt

Just a note, I didn't use anything waterproof and mine worked great. I used 2 layers of flannel and 2 layers of an old towel for the pad. It's one of the patterns that opens on the bottom for inserts. I made the inserts with 2 layers of flannel and 2 layers of towel. I found that even on my heaviest day, the one pad with one insert was more than enough. I only bled through one pad through the whole thing and it was because I wore it an extra long time just to see how long it would last. I think I had it on for 12 hours. Not bad if you ask me. So at the "normal" changing rate for comfort and cleanliness, these are going to work great for me. I'm not a light cycle kinda gal, but I'm also not "heavy" and I bled much less with these pads.

HTH

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Re: Making the Switch to Cloth Sanitary Pads: Which ones should I get?
« Reply #20 on: January 13, 2008, 04:34:19 AM » by lovingmomof2

I am interested in the cloth idea, but I was wondering which ones to go for, the ones that have inserts or just the regular ones. Do the ones with inserts get icky on the top side, the side that would be touching you? I can never stand this time of month and it always makes me feel dirty. I am one of those that changes the pad constantly to feel cleaner, dryer and at least a little fresher. Has anyone tried both types? Do you have an oppinion on which is better?

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Re: Making the Switch to Cloth Sanitary Pads: Which ones should I get?
« Reply #21 on: January 13, 2008, 10:29:22 AM » by joychild24seven

I have tried both types. The reason I like the inserts is that you can change them immediately and not have to change the whole pad... for example on heavy days I use 3 inserts "just in case", on med flow days I use 2 at a time, and light days only one... but usually by the time I have to use the restroom only the top insert is used, so I pull that one out - the bottom ones are clean and dry, and I'll either add another insert, or wait until the next time I change one out. I never hardly every soak through to the base pad, so I go through inserts as quickly as I want, and can always feel clean and dry. Oh, and they wash and dry really quickly as well, which is nice all around.

I feel like you have to have a lot more pads if you were changing pads as often as I change inserts...

right now I own 3 sisterblessing mama pads and 15 inserts - this lasts me all of my heaviest days. (I'm a 3 day period type of girl) then I use lined pantyliners (I own 3) for the "after" days... so I have a really small pad stash but I often don't use everything because cloth is so much more absorbent.

When I was using the other type I felt less free to change out pads because I didn't want to change the pad when it was just a little soiled - but with inserts I don't care... :-) So, that's what works for me.

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Re: Making the Switch to Cloth Sanitary Pads: Which ones should I get?
« Reply #22 on: January 13, 2008, 11:54:50 AM » by healthybratt

Quote from: LKS on January 12, 2008, 09:13:21 PM

Okay, so I thought of a practical question: For all of you who are using these already---what do you do when you 're away from the house? Do you use disposables or do you carry a baggie or what? I really want to go this route but I need some guinea pigs to show me the way first Wink

LKS

The ones I have made will fold into thirds very easily and the snap wings will wrap around and hold it in place. I wrap them inside out when they are clean to keep them that way and then flip them the other way when they are used. Then you could put them in a ziplock bag or any other leak & smell proof container you like.

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Re: Making the Switch to Cloth Sanitary Pads: Which ones should I get?
« Reply #23 on: January 14, 2008, 12:30:25 PM » by mommyoftwins

joychild24seven,

I recently purchased the same pads! I haven't started yet since my baby, so I don't know what they're like. I just bought one pad with 3 inserts. How many do you keep on hand? I previously had a medium flow.

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Re: Making the Switch to Cloth Sanitary Pads: Which ones should I get?
« Reply #24 on: January 26, 2008, 06:49:56 PM » by Ardsgrrrl

I buy mine from www.greenhome.com . They are certified organic cotton. They also offer organic tampons here. I buy many of my household products from this company's website, and they are a great resource for turning your household GREENER . Environmentally-friendly products....great service.

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Re: Making the Switch to Cloth Sanitary Pads: Which ones should I get?
« Reply #25 on: January 27, 2008, 08:39:01 AM » by MommyGus

Quote from: blondiegreen on January 26, 2008, 04:45:17 PM

For those of you who sew cloth pads, can you just use microfleece as the backing and still not have leak issues? I hope that makes sense. Or do you still need to add a layer of PUL?
I was thinking of making a pocket style with just microfleece and then having flannel inserts.

I just used cotton flannel and cotton towels and I didn't have a problem with leaking. I made them with pockets and cut some pieces of something ( I am not sure what you call this stuff, but you can get it in the baby department and in the fabric department at Wal-mart it is for putting under sheets to keep the bed from getting wet) inside if I leaked. I never used the stuff (whatever it is called) and I was fine, probably since I bled so much less. What is PUL? Maybe it is the same stuff I described, but I am not smart enough to know

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Re: Making the Switch to Cloth Sanitary Pads: Which ones should I get?
« Reply #26 on: January 27, 2008, 09:41:27 AM » by SarahLaRae

I use homemade flannel pads. I've never had a problem with leaking in them.

PUL is polyester fabric lined with Polyurethane laminate.

I'm getting ready to make some pads with this for our web site. It is a little different to sew with.

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Re: Making the Switch to Cloth Sanitary Pads: Which ones should I get?
« Reply #27 on: January 27, 2008, 11:04:48 AM » by healthybratt

I used only flannel and terry towels. I've yet to have any leaking problems. Bleeding less here too.

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Re: Making the Switch to Cloth Sanitary Pads: Which ones should I get?
« Reply #28 on: January 27, 2008, 11:08:30 AM » by joychild24seven

My first set of pads were unlined (just flannel) and I never had any problems. I now have a set with PUL and I mostly prefer these for peace of mind that if I'm out of the house or can't change them immediately, that I won't leak through.

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Re: Making the Switch to Cloth Sanitary Pads: Which ones should I get?
« Reply #29 on: May 15, 2008, 11:02:01 PM » by Mrs. B

I've just read thru this entire thread, and while I am still completely grossed out by the idea of these, I think I'm going to order some Glad Rags... are they really any good? I was going to get the organic... does it really make a difference? Also, it seems that so many non-organic ones are bright colors... what's up with that?
I just don't think that I can bring myself to sew my own right now, and my fabric store doesn't sell the organic cotton/flannel anyway...
I don't know why this bothers me so much when cloth diapers didn't even phase me...

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