How can your period to good. A cloth sanitary pad review.

I’m fully aware that I can often be evangelical about reasonable products. Some of these products like cloth nappies can be a step too far for many and that’s fine. However I now see no reason whatsoever that people who menstruate should not switch to reusable period products. It’s something that is very very close to my heart.

500 million people around the world live in period poverty, missing school, work and resorting to un-sanitary practices to control their periods. Meanwhile the period industry is a $1 billion industry, making the people at the top very rich while creating huge amounts of pollution and waste. Reusable sanitary towels are one of the easiest switches we can make. They are more comfortable, are chemical free, will save us money and are really easy to use, simply throw them in with your other washing.

Should you choose to use cloth sanitary pads I really recommend using the Trade to Aid packs. Not only are they one of the comfiest I have used, they have a scheme which you can give back with your period.

Trade to Aid Sanitary pads.

Trade to Aid a non profit company are doing some wonderful things to make your period help someone else. For every pack you buy from Trade to Aid they will donate to somebody in need. Trade to Aid supports refugees around the world with a menstrual products. As well as supporting and funding menstrual education programs for young people in West Africa.

How to use cloth sanitary pads.

Cloth sanitary pads are extremely easy to use. Simply clip into your underwear as you would with a disposable, there’s just a popper rather than a sticky side. When you need to change, pop them into a wet bag until wash day.

You can rinse either as you take them out before you put in the wash bag by hand under the sink or in the washing machine on a cold short wash cycle before adding in other washing. Wash as you would any other washing and hang to dry.

Using Trade to Aid.

Comfort

Trade to Aid sanitary pads past the comfort test, soft on skin, did not slide around in my underwear (though with all cloth sanitary pads I tend to recommend snugger fitting underwear to avoid movement) and kept me feeling dry even on heavy period days. The fleece against your skin is key to this.

Absorbency.

Trade to Aid pads held up the absorbency test on even the heaviest of days. I really like that the packs come with 2 heavy (great for night time use), 2 medium sized pads, plus too smaller pads (more like panty liners). Though even the small pads where absorbent enough for a heavy days. The heavy larger pads only made better by being longer, providing more protection when lying down sleeping.

Style.

Of course it’s only you that’s ever going to see your reusable period pads but lets face it it’s still nice to see a pretty pattern and I would never buy a plain old pad. Trade to Aid pads look the part with a funky colourful design and black fleece to help with disguise any staining.

Value for money.

At £29.97 for a pack of 6 it’s good value for money, around the same or a pound or 2 more than the other market leaders. However the fact that the company is non-profit, you know where your putting your money. I think that’s important and makes a small price difference worth it.

Also bare in mind that the average spend for a menstruating person is just over £10 a month on period products, so you’ll have your money back in just 3 months. Reusable period products will last you for many year to come.

How many reusable period pads with I need to use full time?

Will a Trade to Aid pack of 6 be enough to see me through my whole period?

6 pads will just be enough to see you through your period but just. 6 pads would mean washing and drying some to use in the same cycle (totally do able) but also depends on how heavy your period is. In an ideal world I would add in 2 more heavy flow pads for night use and a few light flow for the latter half of your period. If you can stretch to it, two packs from Trade to Aid would be perfect. Or using a Trade to Aid pack in conjunction with a menstrual cup (which is what I do ) 6 pads is the perfect amount.

9-10 cloth sanitary pads in enough for the average women or menstruating person to use full time throughout period. A variety of heavy to light flow pads works well for day and night time and reduced flow in the latter days of your period.