Cloth Menstrual Pads

Posted on Wednesday 4 April 2007 at 9:52 AM in Crafts and Projects - Post Comment

If the thought of this makes you queezy, you can stop reading here. 

I've been following discussions online about cloth menstrual pads for quite a while now.  All I could think of was "yick...not for me".  Then for some reason, I started searching the internet for more info on them.  Before I knew it, I was looking for a pattern to try.  I'm still wrestling with the "yick" factor, but the cost and health factors overpower the "yick" factor. 

Cloth menstrual pads cost much less over time since they can last for up to 5 years...sometimes more.  If you recycle flannel to make them like many women do, cloth menstrual pads are even more frugal.   Some even recycle those diaper changing pads to make them leak proof.

Hillbilly Housewife has a great free pattern to try as well as care instructions:  http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/sanitarypads.htm

SleepingBaby.net also has a free pattern and info:  http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/PADS.html

You can also buy a pattern at Kristin’s Cloth Pads.  Her pattern includes panty-liner, mini-pad, regular, maxi, post-partum:  http://kristinsclothpads.com/cloth-pad-patterns.html

If you aren't a sewer (I'm still a novice myself, but I'm learning) and want to buy them premade, you'll find several people selling cloth menstrual pads on Ebay (like http://stores.ebay.com/Punkys-Pads).  You can also google terms like "cloth menstrual pads", "mama pads" and find lots and lots of women making and selling these online.   There is a website called Moonhut Naturals that has a section with links and reviews for lots of different websites that sell cloth menstrual pads...it was very informative!   http://www.moonhutnaturals.com/

I'm still trying to decide how I want to make mine, so I'm still searching for pattern ideas.  If you already make your own, I'd love to hear from you. 

I love my pads!

Posted by fultoncountymommie on Wednesday 4 April 2007 at 12:22 PM - Link

I have made my own (from PUL and flannel) and also own some luna pads. Trust me, once you use them you will never go back to plastic and chemicals. They are so much more comfy and I don't feel as crampy or have the headaches like I used to. They were great after I had our last child and my family never sees it. I have a little bucket with a lid in our bathroom closet and when I am done I wash them. No big deal. I am sure you will love your. Let us know!