What are your questions about using, caring for and cleaning reuseable menstrual products? Are you thinking about purchasing reuseables but have questions before you take the plunge? Post your question here and Tracy Puhl, the owner of GladRags, will reply in a blog post on Mothering.com next week! 
Thanks for sharing! There are so many awesome questions and comments on Facebook so far -- I'm really loving reading all of them and writing responses.
As always, anyone with further questions (or those who don't feel comfortable asking publicly) are always welcome to PM me here! 
GladRags.com: Safe. Simple. Smart. Period!
Your complete line of sustainable menstrual options and postpartum supplies.
GladRags.com: Safe. Simple. Smart. Period!
Your complete line of sustainable menstrual options and postpartum supplies.
How do you sterilize the moon cup? Would it interfere with an IUD?
When I use my diva cup, I get TERRIBLE lower back pain. Any ideas for preventing this?
How does the moon cup compare to the Diva?
I find it difficult getting the Diva cup to form a good seal. It doesn't seem to want to pop/reshape back to it's full circular shape after being folded for insertion. Can you recommend anything?
Also, what do you recommend for laundering the cloth pads? I saw bacout is part of your laundry kit for the pads and a soaking pail. What goes in the pail exactly and how long do you need to / can you soak them for?
Thanks so much!
A little about me: I decided to stop buying/using disposable menstrual products after I'd been cloth diapering my first born for a more than two years, and was planning to CD my 2nd born as well. It didn't make sense to me to be putting disposable pads into the landfill when I'd been making the choice to CD so as not to put disposable diapers there. I was nervous about it at first, and started slow, but now I feel very comfortable with it. I still would like a cup solution for heavy days and times when I don't want a bulky pad, and that's the part I'm struggling with now. But the pads are so much easier and less scary than I first imagined, and right now I just let them wash with our CD laundry and it works out just fine. Yay eco-friendly solutions!!
How do you sterilize the moon cup? Would it interfere with an IUD?
You can boil any menstrual cup that is made of silicone (no more than five minutes or so, don't let the cup touch the sides of the pan) although it's not necessary. I usually wash my cup in the shower when I empty it by just scrubbing it between my hands with a mild soap. At the end of my cycle I soak it in warm soapy water, rinse thoroughly, and let dry before storing. Because the cup is non-porous, you really just need to make sure there's nothing left on the surface.
There was a recent study in Canada that found that menstrual cups do not have a significantly greater rate of IUD expulsion than pads or tampons, which is good news. In general we recommend checking with your doctor first, and then simply exercising caution when removing the cup (always break the suction before pulling it down, and making sure not to touch the IUD strings). There are plenty of women who use IUDs and the cup very happily!
GladRags.com: Safe. Simple. Smart. Period!
Your complete line of sustainable menstrual options and postpartum supplies.
GladRags.com: Safe. Simple. Smart. Period!
Your complete line of sustainable menstrual options and postpartum supplies.
When I use my diva cup, I get TERRIBLE lower back pain. Any ideas for preventing this?
If this happens with tampon use, I'd check with your doctor. If it's just happening with the cup, it could be that the cup is too large for you and is putting pressure on the vaginal walls causing pain. Again, though -- any serious pain should always be checked out by a doctor. I'm not qualified to give medical advice, either. However, some women do find that a too-large cup can cause cramping (I tried a cup that was too big for me and I had a similar issue).
GladRags.com: Safe. Simple. Smart. Period!
Your complete line of sustainable menstrual options and postpartum supplies.
GladRags.com: Safe. Simple. Smart. Period!
Your complete line of sustainable menstrual options and postpartum supplies.
How does the moon cup compare to the Diva?
I find it difficult getting the Diva cup to form a good seal. It doesn't seem to want to pop/reshape back to it's full circular shape after being folded for insertion. Can you recommend anything?
Also, what do you recommend for laundering the cloth pads? I saw bacout is part of your laundry kit for the pads and a soaking pail. What goes in the pail exactly and how long do you need to / can you soak them for?
Thanks so much!
A little about me: I decided to stop buying/using disposable menstrual products after I'd been cloth diapering my first born for a more than two years, and was planning to CD my 2nd born as well. It didn't make sense to me to be putting disposable pads into the landfill when I'd been making the choice to CD so as not to put disposable diapers there. I was nervous about it at first, and started slow, but now I feel very comfortable with it. I still would like a cup solution for heavy days and times when I don't want a bulky pad, and that's the part I'm struggling with now. But the pads are so much easier and less scary than I first imagined, and right now I just let them wash with our CD laundry and it works out just fine. Yay eco-friendly solutions!!
Yay! Glad you are liking your cloth pads! They are definitely way less scary than they seem :)
The main difference between the Moon Cup and the Diva are that the Moon Cup is slimmer than the Diva, and has a longer stem. Some women don't need the longer stem, so they can trim it, but some women find that it really helps! So it's a little more versatile in that way. They're made of the same material (medical grade silicone). The Moon Cup is made in the USA while and the Diva Cup is made in Canada. We have a 90-day money-back guarantee on the Moon Cup.
There are a couple things that can help the cup pop back open and get a better seal. One is to pull down and forward on the cup slightly after inserting. You can also try running your finger around the edge of the cup to help it open back up. Sometimes even just a bit of wiggling the base will help! It is possible that the cup is too large for you, and that may be why it's not able to open fully.
For laundering cloth pads, we recommend any natural detergent that is free of bleach, fabric softener, and fragrance. I wash mine in cold water (helps prevent staining) and dry on low/medium heat (to avoid shrinkage and excess wear & tear). I usually keep my pads in a wet bag next to my toilet, then at the end of my cycle soak them for about 30 minutes in the bathtub in cold water. I'll usually add a little pre-soak (like the Bac-Out, Femme Rock, or Ruby's Red Wash) to help get all the blood out. Then I toss them in the laundry with other stuff! The purpose of the soaking pail is to have a place to put your used pads. You can use the pail dry, or add water and pre-soak to soak the pads immediately.
GladRags.com: Safe. Simple. Smart. Period!
Your complete line of sustainable menstrual options and postpartum supplies.
GladRags.com: Safe. Simple. Smart. Period!
Your complete line of sustainable menstrual options and postpartum supplies.
Thanks for the reply. The back pain doesn't happen with tampons or anything else--just the diva cup. I think I may try a moon cup and see if that is a better fit for me.
1. It really depends on how long your cycle is, how often you do laundry, how heavy your flow is, etc. You're probably going to change your cloth pad about as often as you would change a similar-absorbency disposable pad. Keep in mind that even using some reusables during your period (and disposables for part of it, while you stock up on cloth pads) makes a difference! For you, I'd recommend trying our Heavy Flow Kit to get started, then stock up from there on the type of pad you find you use the most.
2. Sounds like your body might be trying to tell you it just doesn't want anything inside of it during your flow! If you're cramping or your muscles are tightening, it could cause difficulty getting the cup inserted properly. This happens to me occasionally, so I usually just use a cup at the very end or beginning of my period. The rest of the time my body seems to prefer external options!
3. Cloth pads on the go are pretty simple! Source: I'm writing to you from a coffee shop, and totally just changed my GladRag in the bathroom! 
Just carry a little bag with you, and you're good to go. We have a variety of travel bag options. Also, you can fold your pads in on themselves and snap 'em shut before you stick them in the bag so it's completely mess-free.
GladRags.com: Safe. Simple. Smart. Period!
Your complete line of sustainable menstrual options and postpartum supplies.
GladRags.com: Safe. Simple. Smart. Period!
Your complete line of sustainable menstrual options and postpartum supplies.
If you're using cloth for postpartum, go for the night pads! We also have a handy postpartum kit that's pretty popular. Sizing is pretty simple -- just think about what absorbency you typically use with disposable pads (pantyliner, day pad, or night pad) and find the corresponding GladRags. We also have a large day pad if you tend to leak over the front and back of typical pads, or need a wider pad.
GladRags.com: Safe. Simple. Smart. Period!
Your complete line of sustainable menstrual options and postpartum supplies.
GladRags.com: Safe. Simple. Smart. Period!
Your complete line of sustainable menstrual options and postpartum supplies.
I love gladrags. I am a fitness instructor and personal trainer. I find glad rags cotton all natural materials are more comfortable than synthetics. Except when swimming :). Overall I love my glad rags and will be moving my almost teenage daughters in that direction. They are much more comfortable when running, teaching, and biking than plastic backed products.
I always chose tampons over pads but then I tried the moon cup (before my first was born.) it was work getting that thing in and out and could sure smell bad. Also awkward when it needed empty in public restroom. My husband noticed that it was messing with my "tightness". I haven't tried since giving birth(amenorreah) but I found reusable pads were MUCH nicer than disposables, softer and don't have that disposable pad stench I had previously thought was my period. Also postpartum bleeding I tried disposables thinking they would be more absorbent (night time super absorbent). This was not the case and I thought it was the toilet paper to blame for the extra sensitivity. Reusable pads all the way, a lot less gross than the other options and better for the earth than tampons. I made it with the moon cup through 4 periods before I called it quits.
I love gladrags. I am a fitness instructor and personal trainer. I find glad rags cotton all natural materials are more comfortable than synthetics. Except when swimming :). Overall I love my glad rags and will be moving my almost teenage daughters in that direction. They are much more comfortable when running, teaching, and biking than plastic backed products.
Yay! Thanks for sharing the GladRags love! 
GladRags.com: Safe. Simple. Smart. Period!
Your complete line of sustainable menstrual options and postpartum supplies.
GladRags.com: Safe. Simple. Smart. Period!
Your complete line of sustainable menstrual options and postpartum supplies.
I always chose tampons over pads but then I tried the moon cup (before my first was born.) it was work getting that thing in and out and could sure smell bad. Also awkward when it needed empty in public restroom. My husband noticed that it was messing with my "tightness". I haven't tried since giving birth(amenorreah) but I found reusable pads were MUCH nicer than disposables, softer and don't have that disposable pad stench I had previously thought was my period. Also postpartum bleeding I tried disposables thinking they would be more absorbent (night time super absorbent). This was not the case and I thought it was the toilet paper to blame for the extra sensitivity. Reusable pads all the way, a lot less gross than the other options and better for the earth than tampons. I made it with the moon cup through 4 periods before I called it quits.
Glad to hear that reusable pads are working for you! While menstrual cups are a great option, every body is different. Personally, I've found that while I love my cup for traveling, swimming, etc, my body seems to prefer having an external method of menstrual protection. When I was a kid, my parents would always say "listen to your body!" and I've found that to be excellent advice
GladRags.com: Safe. Simple. Smart. Period!
Your complete line of sustainable menstrual options and postpartum supplies.
GladRags.com: Safe. Simple. Smart. Period!
Your complete line of sustainable menstrual options and postpartum supplies.
Hello. I just want to pipe in to say that I've been using cloth pads for nearly 20 years and love them! I know my days with a period are numbered and I'm actually a little bummed because I won't get to use them anymore!
When I lived alone, washing was super easy: I kept a bucket in the bathroom with cold salt water in it and changed it daily until it was time for a wash. Or I'd even just use the washing machine itself. Now that I have a family and share the bathroom, I keep a small basket in my closet. I spray a little soapy water on them and let them pile up until it's time for laundry. I wash in regular detergent if I don't have any natural on hand; I just rinse twice.
I also use the liners without inserts as panty liners for every day. Because they attach with snaps, I don't have to take the liner off and on; I just keep them on all the time, including in the laundry.
I have 10 nighttime size and 20 regular and they always have as many as I need, including through two pregnancies.
Happy cloth pads!
Hello. I just want to pipe in to say that I've been using cloth pads for nearly 20 years and love them! I know my days with a period are numbered and I'm actually a little bummed because I won't get to use them anymore!
When I lived alone, washing was super easy: I kept a bucket in the bathroom with cold salt water in it and changed it daily until it was time for a wash. Or I'd even just use the washing machine itself. Now that I have a family and share the bathroom, I keep a small basket in my closet. I spray a little soapy water on them and let them pile up until it's time for laundry. I wash in regular detergent if I don't have any natural on hand; I just rinse twice.
I also use the liners without inserts as panty liners for every day. Because they attach with snaps, I don't have to take the liner off and on; I just keep them on all the time, including in the laundry.
I have 10 nighttime size and 20 regular and they always have as many as I need, including through two pregnancies.
Happy cloth pads!
Woohoo! Thanks for sharing your story
GladRags.com: Safe. Simple. Smart. Period!
Your complete line of sustainable menstrual options and postpartum supplies.
GladRags.com: Safe. Simple. Smart. Period!
Your complete line of sustainable menstrual options and postpartum supplies.
Hi Tracy,
I've used a mooncup for quite a few years now and love it. In fact, it fits in so well with my life I hardly even notice I'm on my period sometimes! After my first baby is born this May I will have to use pads at first so I followed your link to the new mom kit, which looks great. Just a quick question on that - it says it comes with 3 night-time/pp pads, but how many inserts are included in that? Judging from the other gladrag products I would assume 6 inserts, 2 for each pad - can you confirm please?
Thanks!
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