Reusable Sanitary Pad Fabrics
Choices of Reusable Sanitary Pads Fabric
Unlike disposable sanitary pads reusable sanitary pads come in a variety of fabrics so there will be a reusable pad for you no matter your requirements. We stock sanitary pads made of natural fibres like organic cotton, cotton, bamboo, hemp and synthetic fabrics.
The drying speed and absorbency will vary depending on the reusable pads fabric used.
Core Fabrics Commonly Used in Reusable Cloth Pads
The core fabric has an important function to absorb blood from periods. Certain materials are more absorbent than the rest, but they can also be thicker.
Types of Absorbent Material For Reusable Menstrual Pads
Cotton – natural fabrics, very absorbent, breathable, soft, average drying speed.
Bamboo – viscose fabric, highly absorbent, breathable, soft, very slow drying speed
Hemp – natural fabric, super absorbent but needs more prewashing than other fabrics, soft but can go harder over time, slow drying
Synthetic – Manmade, less absorbent, stays soft even in hard water areas, very quick drying.
Reusable Pads Sizes
It is common to have different cloth sanitary pads sizes and sanitary pads fabrics for different days in your menstrual cycle.
For heavier days the more absorbent fabric and longer pads will give you greater protection for a heavy flow. We try to include details of absorbency levels for each pad so you can easily compare your choices
Which ever fabric you choose we're confident you'll find your reusable cloth pads more comfortable than disposable pads.
Cloth Sanitary Pads Top Layer Fabric
There are a few different types of fabric tops to consider when choosing your cloth sanitary pads. They all have their pro's and cons.
The main types of fabric toppings for cloth sanitary pads are
- Jersey Cotton- This topping in commonly seen on our handmade pads. It is a very breathable fabric and if you have sensitive skin then this natural fabric will be a great choice. It can be slow at absorbing so if you have a particularly heavy or gushy flow then you may prefer a different topping. An example of Jersey Cotton Topped are the Sew Sustainable handmade pads. We also have a selection of organic cotton pads like Eco Femme and Imse Vimse
- Velour (either bamboo or cotton)- Velour is a wonderfully quick absorbing pad making it great for incontinence pads or for super absorbent Post Partum/very heavy days when you are bleeding heavily. It can sometimes be called cotton or bamboo plush They make great heavy/postpartum toppings but if you are prone to sporadic fast flows then this would make the perfect topping for your pads. An example of these are Mini Vivi Incontinence Pads.
- Minky- This is synthetic fabric and one of the quickest absorbing toppings available. It is great for postpartum pads. If you prefer a more natural fabric then I would recommend a velour topping.
- Fleece- Fleece is great at helping to stay feeling nice and dry. If you have a light flow, or need it for ovulation then fleece topped can be a great option for you to help you keep feeling dryer for longer. If you are prone to flooding then fleece would not be recommended as it can slow down absorption. It is also more stain resistent.
Waterproof Layer on cloth sanitary pads
Different cloth menstrual pads use different waterproof backing on the reverse side of the sanitary pads. Many of the heavy flow pads use PUL fabric (polyurethene laminate). Lower absorbency pads often use fleece which is water resistant.
How many reusable sanitary pads do you need?
If you're not sure what combination of day pads and night pads you need then you can read our aricle "How Many Cloth Pads Do I Need?"
What Else Do I Need To Use Cloth Sanitary Pads?
Unlike disposable pads, you will need to take your reusable pads home with you to wash and resuse again meaning much les. You will need something to store them in while at home and a small waterproof bag to use while out and about. You can learn more about tips and tricks on getting out and about with cloth sanitary pads in our article "Using Reusable Sanitary Products Out And About"
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Long Term Investment
Reusable sanitary pads are an excellent cost effective investment and will see you through many years of periods helping you save money and reduce plastic waste. Read our article "How Long Do Cloth Pads last" read more about their longevity.
Read our article to learn how to care and wash your reusable sanitary pads.
Great info!