5 Reasons to STOP Using Disposable Feminine Products

You might think that washable feminine products are gross, but I'm here to encourage you to give them another look.

Here are some benefits of reusable menstrual products that you really should consider. Once you read this list in addition to learning about the toxins that you've been putting “down there”, I think you'll agree the change is worth considering.

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.

Like so many things in my life, I've had to change my tune.

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 you are in the same boat.

I'm here to tell you why making this change is worth considering.

Benefits of Reusable Menstrual Products

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

1. Money Savings.  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 the cost at over $13 a month, with costs varying depending on what is counted (pads, tampons, or more).  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.

2. Eco-friendly.  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 these.

3. 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!  

4. Better for You and Your Skin. There are all kinds of toxins in menstrual pads and tampons. These toxins are right next to your sensitive privates and even INSIDE YOU (source)! This just isn't smart.

What you put on and in your body matters.

5.  Not That Gross. 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. My thinking is, if you can handle cloth diapering, you can handle this.

How I Started Using Reusable Menstrual Products

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 menstrual pads in the same way that I was thinking about disposable diapers , that I was just adding to the overflowing landfills while also emptying my wallet.

So I started poking around at different companies online trying to find a good option.

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 really troubling name that I wasn't thrilled about promoting.

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

I got in contact the owner and she provided me with a great assortment of several sizes of pads and a handy dandy wash bag and a waterproof carrying bag.

Since then, tons more products have come on the market, so there are loads to choose from now.

Where to Buy Reusable Menstrual Products

There are so many options now, from washable pads to cups.

I've never used a cup but many swear by them.

You can go direct to companies' sites, or check out Amazon. I would be really careful, however, to buy from a reputable company because again, you are putting this fabric in a very vulnerable area. Companies have been caught lying about their organic certifications, so buyer beware.

• Rael Organic Pads – This looks like a great product line including these pads with wings.
• Glad Rags – Glad Rags is a well known company in this niche.

Neither of these brands are super cute, but safety is more important to me than how cute my menstrual pads are, know what I mean?

Are Menstrual Cups Safe?

Lots of people rave about menstrual cups. As mentioned, however, I've never used one. In addition, I'm not completely convinced about silicone's safety, and again, we're talking about your privates. So I will stick with the pads as my top recommendation.

However, a menstrual cup is likely much more safe than tampons with dioxin, in them!

If you'd like to check out menstrual cups, here's a good option.

• EcoBlossom Menstrual Cups – This company is highly regarded for their menstrual cups.

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