Why I Don't Buy Feminine Products Anymore

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UPDATE: Amber, the former owner of Peepods, has since sold her company. Her products are now only available on Amazon. All of the links that used to link to Peepods will now link to Amber's products on Amazon.

UPDATE:  Naturally Simple is now Peepods.  Same great products--new name!)

A number of years ago, if you would have told me that I would have been writing a post about reusable feminine products (a.k.a. period pads), I would have thought that you were crazy.

Like so many other things in my life, things have changed and I've had to change my mind.

So here I am to tell you what's great about washable cloth pads, why I use them, which ones I use and - how you can get some for free!

Think the idea is gross?  Please read on and don't give up on me yet!

Like so many things in my life, I've had to change my tune - admit that I was wrong - eat crow - whatever you like to call it.

I've shared about some of these "change my tune" situations before.

- A Skeptic Looks at Essential Oils
- Healthy & Beautiful Hair Easily - Lilla Rose Review
- Could You Have Heavy Metal Poisoning and Not Know It?

Well, here I am again to say that I was wrong.  Again.

Years ago I used to think that reusable / sustainable feminine products were icky.

Maybe some of you think the idea is icky too.

Well, I am here to tell you:

- why you should consider using reusable feminine products
-  about a great company that has a wonderful product
- how to get some free and/or discounted feminine products

Why You Should Use Reusable Feminine Products (Period Pads)

After years of thinking about it, here are my thoughts now about why reusable feminine products are the way to go.

1.  They make even more sense than cloth diapers.  If you're in natural parenting circles at all, cloth diapers are all the rage.  Much moreso than when I started cloth diapering my oldest.  At first I thought they were icky, but then I realized that dumping products that won't deteriorate into a landfill (with my child's waste on it) was really the icky thing.

When you think about it, we're talking blood here.  Not #2.  So - if you can handle cloth diapering, you can handle this.

2.  Save a TON of money.  There are all kinds of numbers on the internet about how much money one can spend on disposable feminine products, and of course it will depend on your usage.  But this site estimates usage at about $17 per month.  At that price, you can pay for an entire set of washable menstrual pads in a pretty short time.   And you should be able to use these for years.

3.  Save the environment.  I always cringed throwing away disposable diapers when I first started diapering my son.  As the years passed, the cringing carried over to whenever I had my period.  I really don't like throwing anything away, but especially something that I need to use over and over again.  We'll talk later about paper towels, plastic silverware and all of that stuff.  Basically, I don't use any of it.

4.  Easy to use!  You just use them, rinse, soak in water and wash in a wash bag with the rest of your wash.  Super simple!  And Naturally Simple gives you great washing and use information with your purchase.  Make sure you read it (someone you know didn't and ended up with a little problem -- not saying who :-).)

Introducing Naturally Simple

Awhile ago I began thinking about trying out washable menstrual pads.  I was getting fed up with throwing used pads away every month. All that plastic and the wrappers and the stuff that soaks up the liquid.  I kept thinking of them like I was thinking about disposable diapers.  The overflowing landfills and my emptying wallet.

So I started poking around at different companies online, trying to find one that had what I wanted:

- reasonable prices
- durable products
- attractive designs (every woman likes to feel pretty, right?)
- a company willing to work with me

I had a few bumps in the road during my searching.  Either the company wouldn't work with me, or their products looked inferior, or the company had a name that I wasn't thrilled about promoting (yeah, I can be picky about some things :')).

One day I got a surprise in the form of a Facebook message.  A fellow blogger was friends with a company looking to work with a blogger to advertise their cloth pads.

One look at them and I was hooked!

I got in contact with Amber of Naturally Simple and she provided me with a great assortment of several sizes of pads and a handy dandy wash bag and a waterproof carrying bag - and well, the rest is history.

What I like about Naturally Simple

1.  Their products work great.  I have used them for several months now and I am just thrilled.  No leaks, even at nighttime.  The waterproof bag (for when you are out and about) works great, the wash bag is sturdy and the they have newly designed pads with adjustable snaps to keep the pads in place.  (I really couldn't believe that there was no leaking at nighttime.  :-)!)

2.  They are sturdy.  I have seen a lot of pads and tried one other brand.  Now, I haven't used these for that long, but they seem to be much more durable than the others that I have personally seen and tried.

3.  They are beautiful.  I know it sounds ridiculous, but when I received my cloth pads in the mail, I was just thrilled.  And now, since I am using these pads, I don't view my menstrual cycle as so much of an imposition any longer.  I mean, I get to wear something extra that is pretty once a month :-).

4.  They are made from good fabrics & they have a consumer friendly policies.  From Naturally Simple's site:

"The layer closest to your skin is a super-soft flannel.  The wing fabric is sewn with high-quality quilting cottons that are beautiful and durable.   Our design is simply one functional piece - no fussy inserts or flaps to deal with!  All our flannels and cottons have been pre-washed to eliminate color transfer while washing. We are committed to a standard of excellence and offer a six month snap and seam guarantee on all of our pads and accessories."

Look at how pretty these patterns are:

Naturally Simple Peepods Cloth Pad Giveaway & Sale

First, the giveaway:

Amber of Naturally Simple is offering 2 great prizes:

1.   A Deluxe Set of Pads and accessories (in your choice of colors - their pads are available in cranberry, espresso, or plum (I chose the espresso) with coordinating wing fabrics.  The Deluxe Set includes: 1 night pad, 2 day pads, 3 panty liners, a Planet Wise wet bag and a laundry bag. ($68 value!)

2.  One set of 3 pantyliners ($22 value).  This set is great for someone who would like to continue to use tampons, uses a Diva Cup, or someone who would just like to give cloth pads a try.

(The pantyliners are pictured above.)

To enter the giveaway, just follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter widget here.  (read what it says to do and then click "do it" when you have "done it" :).

Make sure you read the directions of what you need to put in the comment when you comment :-).

You have until 12:01 am, EST 11/19 to enter.  Open worldwide!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 Do you use - or have you thought about using washable pads?