Pads as Backup

[coolwaterz]

Hi everyone. I just purchased some cloth pads for the first time, and will begin wearing them in a few weeks.

I am currently using a diva cup, but the first 3 days of my cycle are very heavy. Sometimes when I am out and about, I cannot run to the washroom every two hours to empty the cup. That is why I purchased five pads for backup for the first 3

Comments

[coralredgate]

i hand wash all of my pads, i started using cloth pads for backup too and now my period is so heavy that my mooncup leaks all the time even when it isnt full so i primarily use cloth menstrual pads and then for my light days i use a mooncup, so yes washing by hand is fine, just avoid using fabric softener as this coats the fabric in a sort of oil and can affect the absorbency of the pads. and to avoid smells, why not try washing them in baby bath stuff or add a couple of drops of MILD essential oil to your soaking bucket(if you leak enough to soak them, if not just put it in with the pads whilst washing) also another idea is spraying a couple of sprays of your favourite perfume on the wings of the pad that way its not in contact with the sensative parts.

hope this helps

[coolwaterz]

Thanks for your tips. I didn't know I could use essential oil, baby bath, or perfume on the wings. I will first try out the essential oil and see how that goes.

[hairballsplat]

i usually just fold the used pad in on itself and throw it in a fleece wetbag til the next time i'm doing laundry. every now and then i immediately rinse with cold water and let soak a heavily soiled pad. i try to change the water everyday if i'm letting them soak. i don't smell anything either way. i think that if your laundry detergent has fabric softeners in it wouldn't it list that somewhere on the bottle?

[coolwaterz]

You are right it should list it. I was just wondering if it was just fabric softener I should watch out for, or if there were other ingredients found in some detergents that were equally bad. I wondered this because the detergent brand names people have mentioned using (except oxyclean) I have not heard of any of them. So I wondered if the general store ones were not good to use with pads.

[dalyax]

My wash routine is storing used pads in a wetbag, then soaking when my menses are over. After soaking for a few days, I put them into the washing machine and dryer with a mesh laundry bag. I do not have any problems with smell

[coolwaterz]

Thanks for the information. :)

Are wetbags special than say a container/bag? I just want to avoid buying something extra when I might have something unused at home that might do the trick?

So I take it that unless a detergent says "with fabric softener" than it should be fine otherwise? I just want to avoid using the wrong thing and later finding out I messed up, which I tend to do. :p

I will look out for those detergents.

[dalyax]

Wetbags are usually zippered bags that are lined inside with either "Procare" or "PUL" fabric. These fabrics are water-proof, flexible, and machine washable/dryable. They are fantastic with storing used cloth pads, cloth diapers, wet swim suits, cosmetics, etc.
Here are some listings: Wetbags by C-Pop Commodities (Popples), and a Etsy SearchSome other members find a cosmetic zippered pouch at a dollar store or thrift store and put a ziplock bag into it. It works just as good. Just be sure not to seal the ziplock bag all the way. Just use the ziplock bag to contain any possible mess and to contain some moisture. I used to do this before I got wetbags

[coolwaterz]

Thank you so much for all the information! (: