Making Home Made Cloth Sanitary Napkins.

TOO much ick issue for me. SO glad I don't have to deal with it anymore.

I can't see how it is greener than disposables or tampons when you factor in all the washing, bleaching, ... sorry... Grosses me out to think about it.

I never used one of the cups people talk about and those gross me out as well.

I've seen a 36/pack maxi Target brand for less than $2. There is no way you can beat the generic prices on some of these things.

Good luck to you.

In the olden days they had no such thing as disposable pads. they used whatever old material they had folded and folded and folded to make it thicker. it was then rinsed out by hand and washed by hand. bleached when able. My mom was born in 43. she said that things like pads were only available if you were rich lol. she was not. she was from a family of 7 girls and 1 boy. I imagine it was a nightmare to keep things like that clean and ready to go. I forgot to answer the question lol. I do think that diaper material would be good for this. and if it is washed and bleached and dried then it would be fine to use over and over. why wouldn't it be? Diaper companies wash and bleach them and reuse them over and over.

I know this is becoming a thing but I personally don't understand why, but I have also always had an aversion to pads in general. But, with cups that you just boil and that can be used for years I don't see the need for washable pads.

$4.... $7... a box at the store? And that box comes with 16-40?!?! Depending on which one you buy. There is no way you're making these for less...
And 'really really pretty' is that a major concern with feminine hygiene products.
I've ran to the store for my wife on more than one occasion and the last thing out of her mouth wasn't "make sure you get the pretty ones..."

Ummmm, no. Just no.

I don't normally post from work but... everything you're talking about to clean and care for homemade reusable pads is just ridiculous. The fabric won't last long and the cost will be astronomical. It won't be earth friendly.

She needs to research the Diva Cup. Nothing to do but empty the cup every several hours and rinse it out with some gentle soap and water. In between periods you give it a more thorough cleaning (but don't boil it, or it will degrade more quickly). It can be worn overnight and there's no risk of leaking. They pay for themselves within a few months (or less at her rate a month). These cups are actually reusable and can used for several years.

Ask your friend if she's talked to her doctor about an ablation.

Cloth diapers really are quite a bit greener... Even if you count in the water, soap, etc, the impact is much less than the production, packaging, shipping, and the diapers themselves (with the chemicals and resistance to breaking down...) especially if you make the diapers yourself.

I know several people who use reusable pads made by one of my friends... She makes them with a wool liner on the bottom, and some kind of super-absorbent inside. (I can't remember the type of fabric, but it's the same thing she uses to make her diapers with. She really likes them, and says that since she has been using them her periods are much lighter and she has less cramping. According to her, the chemicals in disposable pads/tampons affect your body and make it worse... Not sure if I buy into it, but that's what she says. ;)

Anyway... I dont think it's something I would do, but good luck to you finding the right material! I imagine you could use the fabric used for diapers... If it can hold a bladder full of urine, I imagine it can handle a bit of blood. Lol.

I try to be green, but there are some things where I draw the line. Ick!
As for your question, what about microfiber? It's pretty absorbent and comfortable. Might be pricey though.

It's sort of reinventing the wheel but ok if you really like to sew.

Glad Rags has been around since 1993.

http://gladrags.com

and there are others

http://www.partypantspads.com
https://lunapads.com
https://www.etsy.com/shop/epicerma
http://www.newmoonpads.com/home.html
(and many more)

A menstrual cup (like Diva cup and there are other makes/models now) really makes things easy, is ready when you need it, just rinses out (doesn't stain and required no laundry detergents) and is easy to sterilize (some you can boil).

http://www.naturalmenstrualproducts.com/history.php

Additional:

If she's bleeding that much I think it's safe to say she is hemorrhaging and needs some serious medical help before she bleeds to death.
Spending money on menstrual products or making her own is the least of her problems.
She needs a hysterectomy.
She can pay for it on an installment plan.

These are fantastic idea. A woman in my community has recently gone into business making these. My mother and grandmother used them, because that was all they had. I have not tried them yet, simply because of my very heavy periods. They are certainly greener than disposable! (How many extra loads of laundry are reusable pads going to create? One a month, at most!) Sorry I can't help you with fabric...

Ew. I can't imagine being able to afford the materials, then detergent, bleach, extra water and electricity for washing, but not a box of heavy flow pads. The store brands are less than $5 for a box. If she bleeds enough to save in the hundreds, then she needs to seek a second opinion because she will be severely ill with that amount of blood loss. If it's a temporary thing, then she can ask her doctor and insurance about coverage. Sanitary pads are considered a medical device and can be covered.

You know, lots of people mistakenly think that cloth diapers are "greener" too. They don't consider the soaps, energy used to wash & dry, etc.
This has got to be very similar.
I couldn't be bothered.
Too high of a "gross" factor, too.

No clue, but do post and let us know how these work out for her. I imagine back in the day (not so very long ago), ladies used rags, and whatever they could lay their hands on.

Best,
F. B.

Thank God I don't have to worry about this any more!!

Going "green"??? Sorry - you are using MORE water to CLEAN them...

I'm 48 - when I was growing up - pads still had the "belts" and tampons were new...when the adhesive pads came out - my mom was soo happy! I didn't have to use the "belts" - although my mom had prepared me as those pads were still being made.

But no. I would NOT do this nor would I use this or ask a friend to make some for me... I know women in history used whatever they had on hand....old rags (that's where the phrase "on the rag" came from).

I just folded up old washcloths, stuck them in my underwear, then washed as normal when I did laundry.

The reason modern pads and tampons were invented, was because the homemade cloth ones, did not work and were a terrible hassle. A speck of blood is not like urine. Does she want to spend her days washing and soaking out bloody pads?

Here is a blurb about this. http://voices.yahoo.com/heavy-menstrual-period-leakage-pr...

HAS SHE SPOKEN WITH HER DOCTOR? Hysterectomy should be an option. Or is this blood not actually coming from her uterus?

And yes, I have had heavy periods with bleeding as described. I needed the pads because they have the plastic liners. I have even been known to use 2 of the overnight liners at the same time as well as the very largest Tampons and still have to change the tampon every hour or 2 hours on some nights. I cannot image that any homemade fabric options could work any better. If anything, it would be a horrible mess. They make XXL overnight pads.

There is no reason for her to not be able to function.
Otherwise if she can use the largest tampon by Tampax, and yes, she will still have to change them very often. "Ultra Tampax, Tampons."

Adult diapers will not work, because Urine is not the same as a menstrual cycle and will not absorb the same as feminine pads,

I haven't used reusable pads myself, but can your friend use a menstrual cup, like the Diva Cup? Those are reusable and you just empty, wash, and re-use it as needed. I have suffered through a hypothyroid condition for several years, and as a result have had very heavy bleeding - I know exactly what your friend is going through there. If not for the Diva Cup, I would have spent a fortune on disposable products. Anyhow, just a thought.

Aren't tampons green enough? Their much smaller than pads.

eew..no!

Wouldn't even know what to tell you about material to use. Ew.

So glad I don't have to deal with this anymore.

Maybe she should see a doctor!

well, since her flow is too much for the cup, and she's bleeding so hard that she's spending hundreds on sanitary products (??), she needs to go paleo. get a few sheep, and stuff that wool up there.
i just can't think of any homemade options that would work for someone under those circumstances.
khairete
S.

If she's bleeding this bad, she should certainly see her doctor. I am also wondering if she's anemic. I'd have my blood iron checked if I were her...

I am past needing them, but when I was in my hey day and too busy to keep spare pads around or replaced... I'd use a towel until I made it to the store. I never felt the wetness, but the bunching was uncomfortable.

To answer your question:

http://ecoladyuk.wordpress.com/2013/09/18/menstrual-pad-f...

Hope this helps!