The first cloth pads I was introduced to were Lunapads. I read through everything on the website and I was sold. I was ready to jump in head first into their starter kit and swear off disposables forever!
This is the worst possible thing I could have done. There are SO many different brands and kinds
of cloth pads beyond the world of Lunapads.
The best advice I’ve gotten from my own research is to TRY as many DIFFERENT TYPE and BRANDS of cloth pads as you can afford BASED OFF YOUR MENSTRUATION
needs. Let first discuss the different
types of cloth pads that I’m interested in;
AIO (All In One) – This is what everyone is
already used to with disposables, except it’s cloth. The absorbency and waterproofing is built
into the pad. You do not need to add or
take anything away with this pad.
Advantages
·
Quick and easy to use
·
Little chance of leakage
through the pad, due to the waterproofing
·
The waterproof layer
means the flow can be distributed through the pad more, so less layers are
needed in the pad - allowing the pad to be thinner and can be less bulky than
non-waterproofed pads.
·
Wool can be used as a
leak resistant layer to give an all-natural AIO pad.
Disadvantages
·
Can take longer to dry
than pads with removable parts, as all layers are sewn into the pad and are not
removable.
·
No ability to adjust the
absorbency.
·
May have to be more
careful with washing and care, as some chemicals and heat can damage the
waterproof fabrics.
·
Waterproofing is
generally synthetic, and some women prefer to avoid synthetics.
2
B&I (Base & Insert) - These include a base that typically has
little to no absorbency and comes with an absorbent insert that are placed onto
of the base. The insert can be attached
with a snap, button, Velcro, are held in place under strips of ribbon / rick
rack / twill tape on the ends or have a pocket on the ends that the insert
slides into.
Advantages
·
Quicker to dry than an
AIO as the inserts are removable
·
Can change the inserts
while leaving the base on, so you can change more regularly to have a fresh pad
on.
·
Styles that use pocket
ends or tape/ribbon straps can usually be used with more than one insert
together, and you can make additional inserts or use face washers etc. to add
absorbency.
·
Can be an economical use
of waterproofed fabric, as the one base can be used through the day with
several inserts.
Disadvantages
·
Have to assemble the pad
prior to use (and disassemble to wash)
·
Some styles do not have
waterproofing.
·
Styles that have the
inserts attach to the base part with snaps will only allow one insert at a
time, and only work with their own brand (unless you find other brands with the
same size inserts with the snaps in the same position). If you have a style
that only works with its brand of inserts you may not have enough inserts to
last all day.
·
Inserts usually not
suitable for heavy flow, so you may bleed through them quickly, making a
non-waterproofed base soiled quickly and losing the advantage of being able to
keep it on.
Lunapads are considered a B&I cloth pad. I need to find an AIO option now. However!
Hold up! What do you mean cloth
pads come in different fabric materials?
I know about the different types, but now I have more options! Correct.
You now have a choice in what fabric touches your under carriage. Reasons for choosing a certain fabric can be
for absorbency, cost, stain-resistant, comfort, temperature (warmer vs cooler),
laundry needs, or opting for a more natural / organic choice. Below is a small list of the available options:
- Jersey
- Hemp
- Cotton
- Organic Cotton
- Bamboo
- Velour
- Hemp
- Cotton
- Organic Cotton
- Bamboo
- Synthetic
- Velveteen
- Minky
- Synthetics
- Fleece
- Suede cloth
- Chamois
- Flannel
- Sherpa
- Cotton
At this point I’m more aware of the
wide world of cloth pads, but I’m still no closer to figuring out which product
works for me. I need to figure out from whom
to buy next….
(For more info on the cloth pads please see THIS site.)
No comments:
Post a Comment