How To Care For Your Cloth Pads?

(picture courtesy of lolalovesgreen.com)

This is a question I get from a lot of people who have just been introduced to the concept of using reusable cloth pads.

Luckily there are MANY options when it comes to cleaning your cloth pads.

No matter the method, there are a few things to keep in mind when washing your pads:

*DO NOT use bleach or products such as oxy clean. Bleach and products such as oxy clean may either fade color, break down natural fibers, and overall deteriorate the product over time thus shortening the life of your pad.

*DO NOT wash in temperature higher than 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Washing with hot water will cause stains to set.

*DO NOT use heat when drying. Using heat to dry may cause your pad to warp.

*DO NOT use fabric softener. Fabric softener can leave a coating which can make the pad less absorbent.


So, what CAN you do?


*Use cold water to rinse and wash. Cold water washes away what's on the pad and does not allow stains to set.

*Use a detergent that does not cause irritation or leave residue.


What are the different ways to clean your pads? (You can use these methods separately or together)

*Rinse them in COLD water until the water runs clear and then air dry until wash day.

*Soak them in cold water until it's time to wash. Some people like to add a few drops of tea tree oil to the water. Tea tree helps to disinfect and deodorize pads. Just remember to change water daily if you plan to soak for more than 24 hours. Some people may use a bucket, pail, or a glass jar. Be sure to use a tight fitting lid.

*Wash by hand with cold water and detergent.

*Machine wash (preferably on gentle) in cold water.

*Tumble dry on no heat setting.

*Air dry your pad.

How to store your soiled pad(s) when you're out and about or just don't have time to wash right away?

Just like washing there are many options when it comes to storing your soiled pads.

*You can fold them up and place them in a wet bag or an air tight back (such as a plastic ziplock bag).

*You can rinse them, allow them to air dry, then place them in your dirty clothes hamper.

*You can allow them to soak (as mentioned above) until wash day.

What to do about stains?

As stated earlier *DO NOT USE BLEACH*

You can allow your pad to air dry in the sun. Sun light naturally bleaches fabric and will fade the stain.

You can use a mixture of baking soda and water. mix it until it becomes a paste and work into the pad. Allow the paste to sit for 15 minutes, rinse, and then wash as usual.

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Any other questions you may have about caring for your pads that I may not have covered in this entry? Please email them (cherise.jay@gmail.com) or comment below. I may also feature your question on an upcoming entry.

Want To Save Money? Buy Cloth Pads!

Well, I had to get your attention somehow!

There's an explanation (albeit odd) for this picture. You can visit http://bookshop.tumblr.com/post/47470276432 for more info.

Fortunately this is not what this entry is about.

I used to believe that reusable pads were too costly to actually make a difference financially... After sitting down and taking my time to accurately figure out the costs I realized that that couldn't be further from the truth!

According to womenshealth.gov, girls, on average, begin their very first period at the age of 12 and will continue until menopause at about the age of 50. That's about 38 years of monthly cycles.

Now, let's just say a woman experiences 12 cycles per year. Each cycle lasts 5 days. Each of those 5 days she uses 5 disposable pads.

5 pads x 5 days = 25 pads/cycle

25 pads x 12 cycles = 300 pads/year

I posted this picture because it represents roughly the amount of disposable pads bought by one woman within a year's time.

If each pack of pads costs $8 per 20 pack, then you're buying approximately 15 packs a year.

15 packs x $8 = $120

In a lifetime you'd use roughly 11,400 pads and spend a total of $4,560!

It doesn't seem like much when you're buying disposable sanitary products monthly, but the money adds up quickly. It's a lot!

The yearly total of 15 packs of pads would cover the cost of 20+ reusable pads that, if properly cared for, can last up to 10 years.

I think it's safe to say that the cost of reusable cloth pads are your best bet when it comes to saving money.

For a limited time, I am offering a discounted starter package for those who are interested in making the transition. You must like my facebook page www.facebook.com/IyaJay1 in order to take advantage. Only 1 starter package per customer. Starter package requests must be made via facebook.

Are you interested, but don't want to purchase a starter package just yet? No worries. I also sell individual pads. Please refer to the side panel of this blog to purchase.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me at cherise.jay@gmail.com