I remember when i was a teenager (guess how long ago that was!) i was taught by my girl friends to wash my disposable pads before throwing them in the bin. This is done for both hygiene and spiritual purposes. I have done that since. So when i first heard of cloth pads- reuseable, washable pads- i thought it made sense! Yes, it makes more sense to wash your pads if they are to be reused rather than be thrown away.
I know some of us would squirm at the thought of washing our pads. What is there to be disgusted of? After all, it's our own blood, a product of our own normal physiologically functioning organs! Well at least that's how i see it.
How reliable are cloth pads? I would say, as reliable as disposable ones. Come on, who never leaked on disposables? Everybody does once in a while. Which is what you would expect from cloth pads too. But modern cloth pads are not just a piece of scrap cloth you fold and wear like in the old days. They are made with layers of good quality cotton (mostly used material), with a soft inner, a hidden waterproof yet breathable layer, backed by beautiful prints on the outside. They are simply gorgeous! But most importantly, they are SAFE.
Cloth pads are made of natural, non toxic material- just like the clothes we wear. They do not contain harmful chemicals which can potentially sip through the skin and can be hazardous to our health. Why do we hear more of cancers, fibroids and other gynaecological problems in the modern days? It's because of our lifestyle- not just the food we eat but also how far we are drifting away from our nature.
Care for cloth pads couldn't be easier. If you're changing while away from home, fold it and keep it in a sealed wetbag till you get home. It wouldn't smell. When normal menstrual blood comes into contact with a cloth pad, nothing happens. But when blood comes into contact with the chemicals contained inside a disposable pad, it reacts- and that's where all the smell is coming from! Imagine what it does when it's in contact with your skin & organs? God forbid! Anyway, chuck them into a pail when you get home, with a little detergent (the same one you'd be using for your cloth diapers- basicly no bleach, no softeners and no enzymes). Rinse it while you're showering and line dry preferably in the sun (sun is a natural bleach and antibacterial- cheap aye?). And don't worry about what the neighbours might say- most would say how pretty my 'hankies' are!
I have been using cloth pads since the past few months, after i'm convinced it is the best for my health (not to mention how much i could save- you do the calculations- i'm sure you're better than me at maths). And what is good for me, i recommend to my friends :)
*cloth pads are now available at http://www.facebook.com/Babyultra at very reasonable price
