The day I shifted to cloth pads, I can definitely say I felt a paradigm shift in life, peace of mind, a sense of ownership of doing something for the environment and our planet Earth.
My period journey started with my mom handing over a packet of whisper to me and a packet of black covers. On that day there was no alternative visible to me and no one to guide me, steer me in another direction, so I accepted this practice for a few months. Also this was the time where not all my friends had started their periods and was a time where we used to not freely talk about periods (thank god for those days ending!).
Slowly I started disliking the black plastic cover which I used to dispose of the used pads, I slowly shifted to paper envelopes. But still there was a sense of insecurity, thinking after I dispose it, how is going to be handled, who is going to have to sift through this dirty dried old blood soaked pads, is this a spiral of sickness for someone that will be tied to my monthly cycles? With the limited resources available, about 5 years ago, I cam across the term “biodegradable pads “, those coming with disposal envelopes.
Thinking I have found a solution at last, I shifted to them, feeling a sense of accomplishment, victory that at least the 15 x 12 ~180 yearly pads that I will use will degrade in 6 months as they claimed. Also I felt that these pads didn’t have that peculiar smell/perfume that comes with the commercially available ones (when mixed with blood, seriously made me want to puke every time).
This went on for a good 4 years where I felt its ok I am paying around 2.5x times the normal price, I can afford it, its good for the environment, I am doing my bit, I am a superstar!
Lockdown Effect
Then the lockdown hit in March 2020. And I had a lot of time on my hands, surfing through social media, Instagram – I came across the option of cloth pads! And how these biodegradable pads are only a solution in an industrial compost facility and are equivalent to the normal available pads with no difference. I used my time to delve further into this universe of cloth pads, was working from home, so thought why not give it a try, if it leaks, I am at home and can easily manage!
Came across the page of Naari pads, the name intrigued me! On a whim ordered two sets of pads and two extra inserts.
In Aug 2020, used cloth pads for the first time. Listing my experience below:
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First pad change time, was so liberated that no pad in the dustbin
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My parents are pretty liberal and even my dad and me don’t shy away about talking period stuff (that’s how it should be!), so did not face any problem soaking my pad in the bathroom and washing them.
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My mom was a bit apprehensive about the cleanliness aspect as she had also not gone through the using the rag phase in her time. But a after a little bit of Nok Jhok, agreed that this is not the same as a Rag
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Also on reading through the page, learnt that Naari pads don’t use the PUL layer like other brands and use GUM to make it leak proof, making it a completely zero wase and compostable option (I don’t compost yet though, but am thinking can burn the used pads after 2 years or so, considering its cotton, it can turn to ash)
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Also I used the Lithe -Medium and heavy flow options. Where there is an insert like a handkerchief folded up thrice which is placed on the leakproof layer which has snap buttons to attach to your underwear like the normal pads.
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I felt this to be a better option as the insert soaks up most of the blood keeping the leakproof layer clean, and this layer can be easily washed through and dried up in the sun all opened up.
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I am still apprehensive on the multi layer cloth pads as I wont be sure if all the inner layers have been cleaned, but this is just my view. Drying up in the sun should solve the issue.
Washing Routine
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Soak the insert in a mug of cold water for about 30 mins, squeeze out the blood, its almost stainless by now, use a mild soap to wash out the insert and rinse till the water runs clear and the dry it in the sun. The leak proof layer is not that stained, so run it under cold water directly and squeeze out till clean, use a mild soap to remove any stains.
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Washing your cloth pad does NOT feel ICKKY, its liberating.
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Don’t know if cloth pads are the reason, but my periods are at least 50% less painful post the shift. Also no rashes!
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Cloth pads don’t stink up like disposable pads. Blood reacts with the plastic, chemicals and fragrances in the disposable pads and creates a foul smell.
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I have been using these since almost 9 months and there is no going back!
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Have even gone to office using cloth pads!
Don’t know if cloth pads are the reason, but my periods are at least 50% less painful post the shift. Also no rashes!
So this is my journey with cloth pads… have diverted at least 9 x12 ~~108 pads from going to the landfill and will love to see this figure magnify as I grow older , my small contribution in reducing the tons of this hazardous waste accumulating in the landfill.
Also need to control my urges of buying more and more pretty cloth pads and remind myself to not purchase for another year till these are completely used up!