If you've ever thought about trying cloth pads

Hopefully this post isn't TMI (but we ARE a women's forum ;)). Came across this today, and thought I'd share.
Party in My Pants (great name, right?) is offering a free liner for new customers. You just pay $3.99 shipping.
Party In My Pants
I've made my own cloth reusable liners in the past, but this made me decide to give the "real deal" a try. It's a small company located in Wisconsin, started and owned by two sisters. I don't have anything to do with them, just thought I'd pass it along in case anyone might be interested. :)

Has anyone else ever used their products? Or Glad Rags?

I'm a bit perplexed as to why they think plus sized women need plus sized pads - but otherwise, it looks like a really cool concept.

I'm still a fan of my diva cup, though:)

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Originally Posted by Blueberry

I'm a bit perplexed as to why they think plus sized women need plus sized pads - but otherwise, it looks like a really cool concept.

I'm still a fan of my diva cup, though:)

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Yeah, I wondered that, too.... :confused: I get the postpartum moms and even the heavy nighttime needs, but the plus-size over size 22?
I like my Diva cup, although I'm trying to find another that is more pliable (softer), because I have a bit of a hard time with the Diva. LOVE these reusable hygiene products, tho- so much better for us and the planet.

Hrm...that's a tough one. I was thinking Diva was one of the less stiff ones.

Softcup would be softer - but is only usable for one cycle supposedly. Still much better than "conventional products."

PIMP has come up before - and I dove in to give them a try - I love their products. TMI alert - they are more comfortable and less creepy feeling that disposable and surprisingly "clean" to deal with.
I like them so much, I bought some for my dog. I'm not kidding, I was buying her her panty liners for her heat cycle and thought - that's odd, I use cloth and I buy her these things? The PIMP liner works great in in ***** pants, too.


http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...nts#post497786

edit - LOL - coming from dog forums I completely forgot I coulnd't use that word here - intact female dogs were these things called b**** pants.

I am perimenopause....am losing my period.

But frankly if one has a heavy period...well, seems like a soaking of the pads before washing them fully (in the washing machine), right?

I still handwash some of my tops, etc., but this sounds like...alot.

That's so funny about your dog! You should tell PIMP about that, they'd get a kick out of it.

They are expensive at first but SO much cheaper than buying stuff every single month. I don't have a uterus mostly, but just enough that I get monthly spotting, they are great. I got a couple for my daughter to try out and ended up getting her a complete set. Like me, she is also both a cheapskate and environmentally conscious so they are perfect for her. I actually had gotten her a diva cup too but she never successfully used it, I think she never tried it out even.

There's no problem at all washing them.

Gotta admit I've never considered it, but after visiting their website I can't really see why. They sound great, and the company is really good at answering all sorts of questions and being enthusiastic without going over the top.

We used cloth diapers for our son when he was small, and they worked really well once we'd set up a rinse and soak procedure with buckets and vinegar by the sink.

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Originally Posted by blueberry

i'm still a fan of my diva cup, though:)

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+1 +1 to this! I've saved hundreds in the past 6 years because of it.

Am past this stage of life, but I just sent the link to about 15 women. I couldn't do the diva cup, etc because of irritation so these would have been nice for backpacking and bike touring. Thanks for the share.

I've been toying with the idea of trying a reusable cup instead of tampons, but haven't been able to get up the nerve yet. They just seem so...big.

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Originally Posted by Jolt

I've been toying with the idea of trying a reusable cup instead of tampons, but haven't been able to get up the nerve yet. They just seem so...big.

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You fold them up to insert them.....when they pop open inside, you honestly don't really feel it.

I thought they looked big too:)

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Am past this stage of life,

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Yea, like Sky King, am getting there and ....um, just glad I don't have to consider that regular monthly process in the same way as decades past. I guess I'll be offering any woman guest if she needs it, brand new disposable feminine "papers". :D I feel as I have overstock. :p Sorry, right now I'm giggling away at my own short-sightedness.

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Originally Posted by Blueberry

You fold them up to insert them.....when they pop open inside, you honestly don't really feel it.

I thought they looked big too:)

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Hmm...it would be nice to not have to worry about running out of "products" and to avoid generating all that trash. Maybe I should just get one and give it a go--I did try those "Instead" disposable cups once and liked using them but didn't like that they were so much plastic...seemed like a big step backwards from the non-applicator tampons I normally use, so I didn't buy them again. How does the reusable cup compare to the "instead"?

Hmm...I've never tried the disposable ones. They look like they're more flexible than a diva cup - so I expect the diva cup might be a bit harder to insert until you're used to it. I posted a link earlier in the thread - but if you liked the disposable ones, you might want to try the ones that are designed for an entire period - still some waste, but way, way better than conventional products IMO.

Thanks for posting this! I think I'm gonna try it. And send the link to a couple gfs.

The thing I hate the most about pads that are disposable with the wings is the glue. It quickly becomes rather irritating when it sticks to things it's not suppose to (if ya know what I mean):(.

Also, that goes along with the sizing issues. If you can't get the flippin glue wings to fit your underware right then it's like a stiff couch cusion. Not a happy place.

I believe I read somewhere that average pads were made for ladies underware size 6. And if you were to look at different types and sizes of underware, the amount of fabric in the crotch does vary. I think that is what the makers of PIMP is getting at.

I saw that PIMP does off a "snap extenter" for more widely, or looser, securing your pad. Curious if that would make it more comfortable... and if you can easily feel the snap, or not?

Oh, smiliar subject being discussed here, though not PIMP, is the Diva Cup. I did try the OTC Instead cup from the drug store and it didn't work out sadly enough. I have had some surgies for pelvic prolapse, and still have some, and the gyno doc said something about the cervix, or uterus touching the cup in an odd way caused the cramping I had. It was awful. Which made me sad because I really wanted that thing to work out!

I love my Diva Cup. Best thing I ever did. It was really hard for me to get past the "ick" factor at first, but once I did I was so glad. It does have a bit of a learning curve, but once you figure it out, it's wonderful. I did cut the stem off of mine because it tended to poke me, and it still works great.

The mooncup is supposed to be softer than the Diva cup, and for those who can't use/don't like the Diva, a lot like the mooncup.

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Originally Posted by VeganBikeChick

The mooncup is supposed to be softer than the Diva cup, and for those who can't use/don't like the Diva, a lot like the mooncup.

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I might try the moon cup. I can feel the Diva inside me and it's very uncomfortable (it's not the stem, it's that it is just uncomfortable when inserted. Does that make sense? I've tried SO many different insertion folds and twists and turns and whatnot. Just not comfy. I may try the moon and see if it's any softer (and I will get the smaller one, even tho I got the bigger Diva because it told me that was the right size since I was over 35). I don't want to give up on it. I much prefer this method to traditional tampons any day. I only know one other friend who has tried this, and she was unsuccessful with it. I might have others, but it's not like my friends and I talk about periods. Sex, yes, but not periods (is that weird?).
I'm 39, so perimenopause surely has to be somewhere around the corner soon anyway, right?? :rolleyes:

Thanks for all the feedback, ladies. Good to know I'm not alone. :)

TsPoet- that is HILARIOUS about the b***pads for the dog. You should seriously tell PIMP about that. They might have found a new marketing angle. ;)

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Originally Posted by Tri Girl

I might try the moon cup. I can feel the Diva inside me and it's very uncomfortable (it's not the stem, it's that it is just uncomfortable when inserted. Does that make sense? I've tried SO many different insertion folds and twists and turns and whatnot. Just not comfy.

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I tried the Diva Cup and also found it to be uncomfortable...it was too big. So then I tried the US Mooncup--it was comfy, but it leaked all around. After blowing $80 I gave up experimenting with the cups.

I do use the disposable Instead cups if it's TOM when I have a long ride or race (since I don't have issues with those, other than the trash factor), but stick with tampons or pantyliners, otherwise. The washable ones have been on my radar for a while. I should really give them a try. Pantyliners are really $$$ over time.

It took me 2 years to muster the courage to buy and try the mooncup and I never looked back. First few times were trial and error and there were a few bad accidents. about leaking all around, when I initially placed the cup, I didnt know the tip of my cervix was outside the rim, so it kept leaking around of course, so just make sure thats sorted. As for the stem, I cut it off entirely and its still easy to grip and pull out. I love the mooncup and I really dont miss pads at all.

Thanks so much for posting this! I don't know why I never looked into cloth pads before. :o

I've considered a cup on numerous occasions (even bought one), but my flow is virtually non-existent that it seemed overkill. On my heaviest day (which is just one day), I can get away with the smallest tampon OB makes and even then, I don't fill it. Some months, I just use panty liners the whole time and it's fine (but wasteful). This sounds like the perfect solution for me.

I use Instead cups off and on. I realize I'm still throwing something away...and probably something that will NEVER leave the planet, but there are times when you just need a cup over a plug.

got my PIMP liner today- that was some speedy shipping! It's SO cute!! I got the cotton, but I think if I order again I'll order the fannel. It wraps up so tiny and they wrapped a little mini organic dark chocolate piece inside- and a handwritten thank you. How cool! It's small companies that have such personal customer service that really make me want to do business with them (I feel the same about TE). I'll be ordering more from them for sure!! :)

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Originally Posted by Muirenn

Okay. So is cotton or flannel better?

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I don't know. I have not observed that one is more or less absorbent than the other. I guess the flannel is softer. I have both.

Diva cup all the way, and I doubt I'd ever use reusable pads since I never used the disposable kind.

Question I have for other Diva cup users (this will be TMI): mine gets stained quite a bit, even if I use soap and a soft bristle toothbrush. I know they say in time it will get stained, but is there a way to minimize this? not that I show it to anyone, but I would be mortified if anyone did.

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Originally Posted by badger

Diva cup all the way, and I doubt I'd ever use reusable pads since I never used the disposable kind.

Question I have for other Diva cup users (this will be TMI): mine gets stained quite a bit, even if I use soap and a soft bristle toothbrush. I know they say in time it will get stained, but is there a way to minimize this? not that I show it to anyone, but I would be mortified if anyone did.

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Same here. What I did was mixed a solution of about 1 part bleach to 10 parts hot water and soaked Diva in there (I think it was for about an hour or 2). Looks good as new! I occasionally put Diva in the top rack of the dishwasher too. :eek:

World of women has its own practices. :rolleyes::)

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Originally Posted by Norse

Same here. What I did was mixed a solution of about 1 part bleach to 10 parts hot water and soaked Diva in there (I think it was for about an hour or 2). Looks good as new! I occasionally put Diva in the top rack of the dishwasher too. :eek:

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wow, bleach? I would've thought that would affect the cup?? I used to occasionally spray it down with rubbing alcohol on the first cup I had, but I had read on their website not to use it so for my second one I haven't done anything other than soap/brush and boiling (for disinfecting, not getting rid of stain).

Yep, bleach diluted with water. It has not compromised Diva's integrity in the least (that I can tell). :rolleyes:

I use cloth but there are some with snaps that are....er... irritating while biking. The cup might be my next attempt but I'm still nursing my wee one and haven't had to worry about it yet.

The instructions for cleaning the Diva cup specifically state not to use bleach; they say you can boil it for 5-10 minutes and that should help.

I've personally used baking soda and it really works. It doesn't get out all of the stains, but it gets out most, and it's not damaging to the silicone. HTH.

I clean my Mooncup with soap and water during my cycle, and soak it overnight with tabs for cleaning third teeth afterwards, then cook it for 5 minutes.
The tabs really get the stains off, and don't harm the silicone.

Regarding the cloth pads - I just use small amounts of unbleached cotton instead of liners if I need to, I'm not sure how this compares to reusing cloth pads environment-wise.... it still produces small amounts of waste, but so does cleaning the pads I guess.

So I finally took the plunge and ordered a cup from Amazon...it just arrived today and I tried out inserting it. It was easier than I thought...should work nicely. Also bought a 3-pack of Glad Rags pantyliners for backup. Should be interesting to see how the next time of the month goes.

I've used cloth for a couple years now, both pads and liners. I'm not 100% faithful about it, eg when traveling, when flow is heavy enough that I might have to do multiple "changes" at work, or when wearing tight pants (the pads are layers of fabric--can't blend in with the scenery as much as a tampon :p) but I try to use them when I can. They get rinsed (soaked if necessary) and thrown into the washing machine in a lingerie bag--not a big deal, and it becomes pretty routine pretty quickly.

Mine were made by a couple different sellers on Etsy.com, and were a bit less expensive than the "major" (relatively speaking) brands. One shop is no longer operational, but here's the other: http://www.etsy.com/shop/CarolinesCreations09 . She has a full range of shapes and sizes with lots of customization options. I've had a lot of irregular spotting thanks to some BCP changes and the little flannel liners have been an environmentally-guilt-free godsend.

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Originally Posted by Blueberry

I'm a bit perplexed as to why they think plus sized women need plus sized pads - but otherwise, it looks like a really cool concept.

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I guess this forum is not a place where you'll find a lot of us plus sized ladies...but I can help out here. :) Big panties have wider crotches, so you need something to cover the extra real estate. Note that those are cut a lot wider & longer than the other ones.