Reusable Menstrual Pads

Reusable Cloth Menstrual Pads… I know how weird it sounds.

I have to be honest here and say that I hate my period. HATE IT & I do not want it to visit me anymore but I’m 34 and do not want to alter my body with surgery or take artificial hormones! I am beyond my desire to have more children(we have four between us and the baby is just two right now) so, I am coming to terms with the fact that I could have 10 or 15 more years of this visitor in some way or another. I need to own it. Learn to love it? I’d settle for tolerating it…. 

A few years ago I was reading “Gorgeously Green” where she mentions reusable menstrual pads and my first thought is, “Why would anyone want to do that?” I had to check this out because I wasn’t sure if I hated theidea or loved it. 

My Google search led me to The Organic Institute's website where they talk about the chemicals and fibers used in conventional tampons and pads:

"Most tampons that are sold in the stores are chlorine-bleached and made from 100% rayon or a mixture of conventionally grown cotton and rayon.
 Rayon is a synthetic fibre derived from wood pulp that is commonly chlorine-bleached to make it fully absorbent. Surfactants are also used in tampons to increase absorbency.
These super absorbent fibres absorb not only the menstrual blood, but also normal vaginal secretions resulting in dryness of vaginal tissues.
The fibres can also become embedded in the vaginal walls and amplify the production of Toxic Shock Syndrome Toxin which causes Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), a potentially fatal illness.
 Chlorine bleaching of the wood pulp produces dioxin. Research suggests that dioxin is an endocrine disrupting chemical that mimics oestrogen and disrupts hormonal function within the body. It has been linked to immune system suppression, breast cancer, reproductive and developmental problems. 
For a comprehensive article on the effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals, check out the Endocrine Society Scientific Statement. You will be shocked by what you read! 
Dioxin pollution also poses a serious environmental problem as it is found throughout the environment worldwide in varying levels. It accumulates in the fatty tissues of animals and humans for decades."

The EPA says this about dioxins: "This background exposure [they are speaking of our daily exposure in the air, water and in our food - not even considering the extra exposure women and girls experience monthly] is likely to result in an increased risk of cancer and is uncomfortably close to levels that can cause subtle adverse non-cancer effects in animals and humans." 

Endocrine disruption? Immune suppression? Cancer??

I had to figure out a way to cut this out of my routine and fast! One of the companies recommended by Gorgeously Green was LunaPads who have a whole line of reusable pads, pantyliners, menstrual, thong and even the Diva Cup which is a reusable menstrual cup to replace tampons. I wish I had known about the alternatives earlier in life! I have been using LunaPads pantyliners for more than three years (and I love them), but have decided to make these at home in stead! If you are wanting to try this yourself but would prefer to spend pennies for your first try, then I recommend using old t-shirts, towels and other materials in your home or at your local thrift store. Be sure to clean the garments before use!

Materials:

1.5-2 yards of soft, cotton cloth for your cover. I chose astretchy t-shirt material that was on clearance.

1 yard PUL fabric

2-3 spools of heavy cotton thread

1 yard of absorbent middle (I am using scraps from abathrobe project I finished a month ago. The fabric is called “Ultra CuddleFleece”) you could use towels you are not using any more, flannel or any otherabsorbent cloth

Snaps (I like two per pad to keep in place)

Your favorite disposable pads in the size(s) you plan tocreate

Scissors

Long pins

So, here’s what I did (with pictures!):

1. Find your favorite-fit disposable pads and trim (if desired) to fit. Use this template to trace on the backside of your cotton cover and PUL fabrics. I used three sizes to make templates for overnight/super long, regular and daily mini’s. Make sure the tabs overlap (if not, add how ever much is needed to make them overlap) so that when attaching the snaps they will reach!

2. Take paper and place over top the disposable pad template and trace the cushioned absorbent middle for each size you are making. Cut the template out and trace onto your absorbent middle fabric (flannel, fleece, cotton etc). My Ultra-Cuddle Fleece is furry so I have decided to pin several layers together and just cut them out. I’m not looking for perfection here, just a good cut and a nice fit.

3. Sew the bottom cover to the PUL fabric using a single stitch about a ¼ of an inch from the edge all the way around the circumference. This will bring the two pieces together and secure them without puncturing the PUL fabric in the middle where it should be a leak-barrier.

4. Pin and sew the absorbent middle to your top cover using a single stitch around the circumference.
1. Overnight/super long: use three layers of absorbent middle, or two layers with scraps of material sandwiched between them (see photo)
2. Regular: use two layers of the absorbent middle
3. Mini’s: use one layer

I am quilting the overnight andregular to keep them from bunching with use.

5. Pin the edges of your bottom and your top together. Be careful not to puncture your PUL fabric more than necessary and pinch the absorbent middle  between the layers. Use a three-step zig zag around the entire circumference of the pad.

 

6. Trim the edges

7. The snaps are attached by hand.

I hand wash these as they are used & allow them to dripdry. On laundry day I soak them all in water with a bit of bleach alternativefor about 15 minutes before washing them in the machine. They sometimes needreshaping before hanging to dry.

If you are interested in this project for yourself, then I’mhappy to give advice! Whether you choose to make the switch or not, I encourageyou to visit LunaPads.com and see what theyoffer. Likethem on Facebook too!

The Journey to Organic Me!