I'm Clueless about Cloth Pads (and any associated acronyms)

[rakishchick]

I’ve been reading some really old threads on cloth pads and it has peaked my interest. What really started it was that I miscarried a few weeks ago and had to wear a pad the whole time (2 weeks) and towards the end, it became really irritating to my skin. thankfully I am now just spotting and am only using a pantiliner.
A few questions I have:
1) Which brand have you tried and which one do you prefer and why?
2) How do you clean/wash them?
3) How do you handle “changing” them in public or at work?
4) About how many do you use in a typical "cycle" (ie. pantiliners, regular, overnights)?

I am petite, 4’10, and I normally use tampons with always dri-weave unscented pantiliners and the always dri-weave ultra thin with wings (I love wings).

Thank you!!!

[JamieCatheryn]

I can't help with brands, I always either sew my own or just use repurposed baby washcloths folded to suit my needs. I'm cheap. I couldn't stand without wings before either, leaked otherwise. My rags hardly leak, are soft and non irritating, and allow air to circulate.

I rinse them after use if I'm at home and have a moment, collect as a load, and I wash them in the washer on warm or hot in a normal cycle.

I bring a plastic bag in my backpack or bag to collect them if I'm out to take home.

I change them every time I use the restroom unless it's a really light day, not necessarily because they're soaked I just like clean. Maybe 18? I dunno, they get washed, I don't count them.

[Leta]

I use Ama'z Original Padz. They have gone up in price a little since I bought them, but I would pay twice what I actually paid and still be happy. And they are still way cheaper than Moon Pads or Lunapads.

I got them for my post partum period, so I bought the biggest kind she makes- I got three snap in pieces, nine soakers. In hindsight, this was too much, because I wash laundry every day and my flow is light and these really work, but I have never been unhappy with my purchase.

I also bought seven pantyliners and a wetbag. (The wetbag is really nice because it has two sides- one for dry and one for wet. It looks like a nice makeup bag.) Altogether, with shipping, I paid around $75.

I only got pantyliners because I use a diaphragm. (I use a diaphragm for a menstrual device, I mean, the way people use a Diva Cup.) So, like I said, I bought more than I actually needed, but it has been a very worthwhile purchase nonetheless. Oh, and her customer service is outstanding.

(I figured that the diaphragm and the pads paid for themselves in less than six months when figuring in my post partum period.)

As for washing, I never soaked. I put them in a small step can that we keep in the bathroom and washed them with the towels. They never stained or came out smelly.

HTH

[Leta]

Oh, and all Ama'z pads have wings.

[millefleur]

There are some fantastic cloth pads on Etsy too.

Go to www.etsy.com and search for cloth maxi pads or menstrual pads.

[Mercury_Girl]

I use TLCPads & they have wings. They were the 1st ones I bought & they were perfect so I've not tried any other brands.

I rinse them when I take them off & soak them. When I get up in the morning I empty out my soaking bin & wring them out. I let them dry & when my cycle is over & they are all dry I wash them in the washer.

I just keep a ziploc bag in the zipper compartment of my purse.

I use 3 a day, so it just depends on how long my period is that month. I usually have 1 heavy day that uses 4 pads.

[tightwaderin]

I must second the Ama'z Padz! I have 3 night-time pads w/ 2 night-time liners, 5 deluxe pads w/ 3 liners, and 7 minis w/ 3 liners. I love wings too and that's part of the reason I love her pads. Her terrific customer service is another. She did a custom order for me as I could never purchase what I wanted from her site before it was sold out. I bought all bamboo velour from her and it's wonderfully soft. I've never experienced any leaks.

I only wash once a week. I do rinse them out, sometimes soak overnight, them lay them out until I wash with my other laundry.

I get to come home from work for lunch so I'm able to change at home. If I couldn't, I'd definitely get a wetbag.

My flow is pretty heavy for the first 3 days and I use all of the night-times and deluxe. The last couple of days I get away with the minis which are pretty absorbent.

[KBinSATX]

I am so sorry about your miscarriage!
How many you use of what is really variable from person to person.
While you are out and about you'd store them in a little wetbag. You could easily find zippered wetbags on Etsy too.