- Cloth menstrual pads are environmentally friendly. They last 5 or more years when cared for properly, which reduces landfill waste. When washed with other laundry they use very little extra water, and they do not contain dioxins and other chemicals found in disposable pads.
- Over the long term, cloth pads are less expensive than disposable pads. Before I switched to cloth, I was spending over $100 a year on maxi pads and tampons. Those weren’t even the spendy brands! That’s $500 for 5 years, $1000 for ten years, and over $3000 in my lifetime, not to mention all the extra gas used to drive to the store late at night because I was out of pads.
- Many women who have switched from disposables have found that their periods are shorter, lighter and less painful when using cloth pads. With disposable pads and tampons, my period often dragged on for 7 days or more. I am happy to report that after switching to cloth, my cycle now lasts only 4-5 days!
- Cloth pads are less likely to cause rashes and vaginitis. Unlike disposables, they do not contain adhesive and are more comfortable next to the skin.
- Cloth pads are customizable. Ever try contacting a major maxi pad company and asking them to make you some pads with monkeys on them? You probably wouldn’t have much success. In contrast, there are many cloth pad makers who would be delighted to whip you up some monkey print pads, or pads with skulls on them, or even a lime green 3-foot-long pad with giant flares at each end, if that is what you desire. Cloth pads can be made to fit you, not just the demographic you belong to, and that makes cloth pads a lot more fun!
