“What are the best reusable sanitary pads?” Mama Designs reusable pads of course! “How long do reusable sanitary pads last?” I get such a lot of questions about our sanitary pads that I thought I would do a big Q&A post…
Thinking about making the switch to reusables but have some questions, maybe a niggling doubt. Here are some of the frequently asked questions and answers that may help you.
I know some people feel a bit grossed out by the thought of dealing with their own blood. Well here’s the thing, firstly the pads are black so really, you aren’t seeing a whole lot of blood
Can reusable sanitary pads be used for bladder weakness?
Yes, absolutely! They are ideal for bladder weakness / urinary incontinence of varying levels and you will find them a lot more comfortable to wear on a daily basis than a disposable pantyliner or Tena Lady pads. Here is a review from someone using for this purpose… “Being 80 I do have some oops moments when coughing and until now have used disposable pads. I am very pleased with the reusable ones and now wear them every day.”
Can I use them if I have really heavy periods?
Yes, you can use our reusable maxi pads for really heavy periods. You will find that as they are so absorbent you won’t have to change them as often as you would disposable pads. The feedback that we have had is that they last roughly twice as long as a disposable would.
“I always leak the first 2 nights of my period since having my daughter and even 2 night pads is not enough! Your maxi pads weren’t just comfy to wear compared to normal pads but they also didn’t leak meaning my sheets are safe at last!”
Can I use them post birth? Yes, our maxi pad is perfect for use post birth as a reusable maternity pad. It is soft and gentle against your body when you need it most and absorbent enough to be used straight away. We recommend the maxi or the maxi plus size pads.
“I have the medium ones and used them from the day I had my baby and they were perfect, no leaking even at night.”
“These felt unreal compared to the bricks (aka disposable maternity pads) I had worn after having my son. Highly recommend.”
Can I use them in pregnancy as a panty liner? Yes, our mini/light pads are perfect for daily use in pregnancy. They are much kinder to your body and plastic free!
“I used these every day from halfway through my pregnancy and they were so much nicer than the pantyliners I had been using (and spending a fortune on!)
Do they smell? No, they don’t! Cloth pads actually stay fresher than disposable pads. That’s because their fabric breathes, this allows any moisture to evaporate. Less moisture means fewer bacteria to produce unwanted smells. Disposable pads have a layer of plastic, which makes you sweat (and possibly itch), creating a breeding ground for bacteria and meaning you are more likely to notice a smell.
“I was pleasantly surprised to say that they do not smell at all!”
Do reusable sanitary pads leak?
Just like disposables pads need changing when they are full. However, these don’t leak. They have a breathable outer waterproof layer that prevents any leaks. The maxi pads have a triple inner absorbent layer too (the medium a double layer) . Don’t just take my word for it…
“I’m so impressed, so much comfort and not going into too much detail but no leakage and they are amazing.”
“They are amazing, I bought the maxi size and they are so comfortable, No leaks and I actually forgot I was wearing them!”
How do I know if they are full as they are black?
You will notice that your pads are full as you will see the blood start to sit on top of the pad instead of disappearing or soaking into it.
How do I wash and dry resuable sanitary pads?
There are various ways, you can wash by hand, you can throw in the machine (in a net bag or straight in), however some people like to pre wash or rinse until the water runs clear, so they can then wash with their normal dark wash. We recommend you do not use fabric softener as this reduces the life of your pads. For drying we recommend air drying and the little peg drying frames for socks and underwear are perfect for this. You can get them from the pound shop, Ikea or even Amazon.
How long do reusable sanitary pads last?
We estimate that your pads should last approximately 5 years if properly cared for. However from the research we have done we see that some people keep their pads way beyond this. It will depend if you are using them monthly or daily. It will also depend how many pads you have in your collection.
How many resuable sanitary pads will I need?
This will vary person to person, depending on how heavy your periods are and how often you want to wash them. Most people like to have a selection of sizes for different points of their cycle. Some people find one pad can last the day, others 4 or 5 hours. Everyone is different. If you are concerned about the outlay for a lot of pads or are unsure exactly how many you will need, you might want to gradually build your pad collection, month by month. A lot of people start with the regular size, unless you are extremely heavy or you are buying for pregnancy or maternity use.
What do I do with reusable sanitary pads when I am out?
We have a wet bag with two separate zip compartments, one for wet and one for dry. Our reusable sanitary pads fold up into itself and neatly popper together. They can be stored like this wet or dry and the outer edge is all waterproofed, so storing your pads like this and popping them into a waterproof wet bag is the perfect way to store them when you are out, with absolutely no worries about them leaking and then you can wash or rinse when you get home. However… as our pads are extremely absorbent, you might find that you do not have to change them at all while you are out. Bonus!!
Can I ride a horse wearing reusable sanitary pads?
Yes! From one of our FB followers who rides, she did not have any problem wearing our pads while riding. The pads are thick enough that you do not feel the popper. We have since had confirmation from several riders.
Can I use reusable sanitary pads daily as a pantyliner?
Yes absolutely. We have both teen light and light which work as a pantyliner… the Teen/ Petite light is a bit shorter in length than the light. They are much softer, more comfortable to wear and will save you a fortune if you normally use daily pads.
If you have any other pad related questions, do not hesitate to get in contact and we can help. There are over 500 more 4.5 star reviews on our website if you like to read other customers experiences.
Thanks!