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[caelum.livejournal.com]

My period loves to toy with me. I'm low on cash, so naturally I'm about to run out of pads right in the middle of my flow. I put on a pad to sleep in, and my sweatpants and sheet get bloodied, but not the pad. Then I think, today's going to be a heavy-flow day, and I obligingly change the pad... only to have one eensy spot by the end of the day. And yeah, I'm bleeding heavy again now, once I'm out of pads.

On the upside, I no longer feel like killing things.

On the note of pads: I can't use tampons or keepers or cups, because I am terribly, terrifyingly squeamish. I tried a tampon once and nearly freaked out. Controlling my cramps, heavy flow and hormones with the pill was a no-go, too, since it made me so retchingly sick that being cramp-free wasn't an equitable trade-off. But I digress: Pads. I'm a little tired of seeing the massive pileup of the disposables every month in my bathroom trashcan. Considering the alternatives either freak me out or make me sick, I'm looking into the reusable cloth pads. How do these work out for you who use them? They look very comfy.

Comments

[ewtikins.livejournal.com]

I make cloth pads; I'm at work right now (bad ewt!) so I don't have a link to the pattern, but I'm sure someone will reply with one (I'll have a look for the pattern I use when I get home). I use old cotton flannel shirts that I buy in second-hand shops to make them. They're VERY comfy, I've not yet had one leak. They're pretty easy to use too - just take the inserts out and throw the whole lot in the washer on the regular cycle (pre-shrink the fabric before you make them or you'll end up with lots of mini pads!) and hang to dry. Easy. I just wash mine with my other clothes.

[achtungbaby.livejournal.com]

is there some sort of waterproof lining that are in them or something? because i just cant simply understand how they dont leak! how many layers are in them?? and do they stain alot?? (i expect stains, but wonder if you use darker colours or lighter colours)

[ewtikins.livejournal.com]

I usually use about 6 or 7 layers of fairly thick cotton; 2 or 3 in the outside and the rest folded up in the inside. Mine don't have a waterproof lining, but some do.

If you wear ANYTHING long enough, it will leak...

If you don't want them to stain then soak them in cold water with a bit of salt, just after using them. I couldn't be bothered after a while, so mine are fairly stained... but who sees them anyway? And sometimes I give them away to friends and it's useful to know which ones I've used and which ones are brand new!

I use dark/bright cloth with patterns on it.

[caelum.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, that smell. Nasty... and the cloth pads don't have that? Sweet.

[astraluna.livejournal.com]

I just started using cloth pads last cycle (and didn't make any between then and today-- the first day of my period-- must get busy!) I'm still experimenting with my design and what to use for liners on heavy flow days, but I love love love the comfort of cloth pads. I notice it especially since I only have a few cloth pads so I have to wash them every day, so I usually run out and have to use disposables. And yes, the disposables do have that... smell... that cloth pads don't.
I got my pattern from a zine. I don't use the exact one that it came with, though-- but once I come up with a design that works well I believe I will post it on my website. If you want a good place to start, though, bloodsisters.org has a pattern here (http://bloodsisters.org/bloodsisters/pads.html).

Sorry for rambling! I just love my cloth pads. (I get to bleed on stars and flowers every month-- I think it's just as fun as cute underwear even though no one else sees it. ^__^;;)