on cloth pads and privacy

[doni_dyke01]

Hi there, cloth users. I've been heavily considering making the switch from store bought plastic pads to cloth. I asked about making the switch and absorbency on vaginapagina and someone pointed me in this direction. But, I want to ask a different question. I'm going to be headed off to Job Corps at the beginning of the year and I'll be sharing a bathroom with

Comments

[sewcute]

I have some on my etsy shop. . .but if you just do a search for cloth pads you can find a wide variety.

I would suggest getting a small wetbag and just hanging it in the bathroom or your bedroom.

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5195787

[doni_dyke01]

I'll take a look. Don't know if I'd hang it in the bathroom, but maybe in my room.

[crochetaduck]

I recommend http://www.amysragbag.com/. Her site looks complicated, but she has a consultation form and is very helpful. Also, http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6003102, although she doesn't have much in stock at the moment, and http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5592903 and http://www.saucytots.com/catalog.php?category=31 have high quality pads

[doni_dyke01]

There's nothing like losing your stuff in the wash, and I could imagine that would be a doozie. "Hey, where'd my pads go?" "They disappeared in the wash? Seriously?!" So, I'll be sure to get lingerie bags to keep that from happening. I heard about washing them in the shower, so I'll have to try that, too.

[indigo_dawn]

I suppose the most no-fuss way to washing cloth pads would be to fold them as per this: http://lunawolfpads.blogspot.com/2009/06/pad-care-soaking-and-odour.html and then wash them with your towels once your period is over. I've only ever used a top loader washing machine, which is exceptionally good at agitating clothing so I don't think I would have problems with lingering blood with my machine. They will probably stain unless the blood is taken out straight away or soaked and agitated in something containing peroxide. Wet bags are great to store pads in before washing them and they can be discreet.

You can use here to search for different sellers according to keywords: http://clothpads.wikidot.com/

[doni_dyke01]

Thank you, I'll look into this.

[littlravn]

I've been using this method and its really, really easy. Folding them up and placing them in a wetbag until shower time is much more discrete than soaking somewhere. I have found I can even skip the one time oxiclean soak and just rinse them well in the shower and they come out clean and stain-free. I don't know why they don't stain, logic says that they should since I don't rinse in cold water, but they just don't.

Check out www.clothpadshop.com it is a wonderful place to buy pads and accessories and it has a simple cart system checkout so you can buy items from multiple sellers at once, which I think is an important thing to do when trying new pads so that you can find the ones that'll work best for you. I have a shop there, The Velvet Rabbit, but even if I didn't, I'd still recommend this site to people interested in buying pads. :)

[melisjesus]

This is my shop on Etsy:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5497210
I currently have free shipping within the US on Halloween pads :)

I myself find cloth to be quite discreet, even with my several room mates :) I store them in a pretty nondescript bag in the bathroom next to the rest of my toiletry supplies. Like others have mentioned, a wet bag to store the used ones would be fine.
I fold mine up with the used side on the inside, toss it into the hamper and wash along with my laundry (I do laundry about once a week, so they never sit for long).

If you won't have access to a washer and dryer, you could always wash by hand, one at a time when you use them, even. I've taken mine into the shower and given them a good rinse with a touch of laundry soap. Squeeze the water out, hang to dry, and voila! It's ready for another use!

[doni_dyke01]

I believe I will have access to a washer on a pretty regular basis, but I'll keep hand washing in mind anyhow.

[fireaphid]

I started using cloth pads while in college, sharing a sink. I bring a clean pad into the bathroom in a very small wetbag, one that holds only one pad and can fit into my pocket (I don't do purses. . .). After swapping out the used pad for the clean one, I put the used one in the bag. Because my washing machine is pretty weak, I have to rinse my pads before doing laundry. In my case, there were definite times when I would be the only one at the sink, so I could rinse pads there, but you can also just save them up until the next time you shower and rinse them that way. As long as they don't sit around in a wetbag for more than 24-ish hours, they won't smell, so if you have a strong washing machine, you just let the pads dry in your laundry bag and not worry about them until wash day

[doni_dyke01]

I planned on shopping around and buying a few from here and a few from there. It seems that Amy's is quite popular, as it's been suggested a few times, so I'll be sure to check hers out. Thanks for all the info.