5 Reasons To Switch To Cloth Pads

Lavanya Mohan • August 30th, 2016 • 0 Comments

You may have been hearing about cloth pads making a comeback, but the ones that are in the market now are a far, far cry from the makeshift ones that our grandmothers and mothers wore, but if you’re still thinking about making the shift from disposable pads to cloth pads, here are five reasons that we hope will persuade you to make the change!

1. Cloth Pads are so much more comfortable - We’ve all been so used to the plastic lining on our disposable pads that we think that dry (and on most days, scratchy) feeling which disposable pads have, is supposed to be the way that comfortable pads feel. Cloth pads on the other hand, are so much softer because of their cotton lining, and unlike what you may think, will not have you feeling wet or gross in any way. Just pick the pads that suit your cycle best (depending on how heavy/light the bleeding is), and you’re good to go.

2. Cloth Pads are more economical - How much do disposable pads cost you per cycle? Mine used to clock around Rs. 450/- to Rs. 500/- a cycle because I needed overnight pads and liners apart from my regular pads. Cloth pads on the other hand, might seem more expensive when you purchase them, but remember that each pad will last you for at least 75 cycles¹ Now multiply the cost of disposable pads by 75 cycles, and you’ll get your answer - that cloth pads are way more economical than disposable ones will ever be. (Psst - if you’re good with a sewing machine, you can even make your own cloth pads!²)

3. Cloth Pads have a cause - Instead of giving an already large corporation more money, why not support an indigenous and social enterprise? Eco-Femme, which is one of the most popular brands of cloth pads in India, employs rural women from Pondicherry to make the pads, providing them with jobs, and empowering them with knowledge. They also have pad for pad schemes where when you buy a pad, a free pad is given to an adolescent girl in a rural area.

4. Cloth Pads are better for the environment - Think of the number of women in the world. Now think of the number of pads that they use up, each cycle. Every day, millions of tons in used sanitary napkins and tampons occupy our landfills, and make no mistake that they’re not going anywhere either, because they’re made of plastic. Disposable pads don’t decompose, and are a great stress on the environment. Cloth pads on the other hand, don’t occupy landfills the way disposable ones do simply because they’re disposed far less in comparison, and are made of mostly biodegradable materials.

5. Cloth Pads are better for you - We’ve all heard of Toxic Shock Syndrome which can be caused by tampons, and napkins causing rashes and other nasty skin issues, but cloth pads don’t come with any such risks because they’re made of natural, breathable fabrics that won’t do anything to harm your skin or body.