Cloth and Cotton Menstrual Pad Information, Use and Cleaning

The Cloth Menstrual Pad

This page is dedicated to providing information
and resources for women on the use & care of cloth menstrual pads.

Articles and Other Information
Menstrual Pad Manufacturers
Catalogs with Menstrual Pads and Other Related Products
Cleaning Cloth Menstrual Pads with Oxy-Boost
Alternative Menstrual Products
Other Resources

ARTICLES AND OTHER INFORMATION

Alternative Menstrual Products - A good summary by Rebecca Potasnik outlining the various healthier menstrual product alternatives available to women and how to get them

Bloodcatchers And Other Practical Matters -A personal overview of feminine menstrual alternatives by Alana Wingfoot

Cu-Ca Pad Project - Report on a project to provide Cuban women with reusable menstrual pads

First Periods Q and A About Periods For Teens Menstruation Menstrual Cycles - About.com

Full Cycle: Taking the Mystery out of Menstruation by Lauri M. Aesoph

Go With The Flow - Why you should use cloth menstrual pads and other reusable products by Jenn Shreve

How To Make Your Own Washable Cotton Pads - Instructions by Janet Trenaman. If you can sew you can make your own pads

Menstrual Musings - Thoughts on the monthly menstrual cycle by Glad Rags

Menstruation - By Alana Wingfoot

Menstruation Information - "You have the power to feel good about yourself and your body. We provide information, products, and an alternative viewpoint about menstruation so that you can feel great about being a woman every day of the month!" by Menstruation.com.au

Overview of Various Menstrual Products by Random Girl

The Hidden Price Of Feminine Hygiene Products by Jennifer Bogo

The Maxie With The Moxie - Jean Lambert's article on alternative options to commercial women's sanitary products

Toxic Shock - How Safe Are Feminine Hygiene Products? by Aisha Ikramuddin

What Are Menstrual Cramps? by Susan M.Lark

What Every Woman Needs To Know About Her Flow! by Judyth Reichenburg-Ullman

Women Talk About Menstruation - About.com web site on Women's Issues

MENSTRUAL PAD MANUFACTURERS

Cuddle Baby - Flannel day and nightwear pads, pad liners and organic flannel pads

Feminine Options - Cotton pads, holders, liners, overnight and postpartum pads, carrying pouches and storage satchels

Glad Rags - A complete line of menstrual pad products including day time, night time, organic and colored cotton, panty liners, and carrying cases

Kristins Cloth Pads - Kristin's Cloth Pads are a two part system made up of the Holder and the Folder. The Holders are made of two layers of 100% cotton flannel. The Folder (insert) tucks into the Holder and provides many layers of protection. They come in four sizes: Mini-pad, :Regular, Long, and Post-Partum. The Post-partum pad comes with two inserts for extra absorbency. We now have a panty-liner, also.

Lily Pads (Canada) - Lily Pads are made of 100% cotton. They are eithe flannel and terry or cotton weave and terry. Lily Pads are available in several different styles, ALL having wings: Regular, Double Fold, Contoured, Night and Adjustable

Luna (Canada)- 100% cotton fleece pads. Available in bleached or organic cotton as individual pads or in kits

Many Moons - A complete range of menstrual products and accessories that include non-chlorine bleached, flannel, panty liners, cotton washable pads and undergarments. Accessory products include carrying cases, belts, and even pad soaking pots. Made in Canada

Mothers Helping Hands - Flannel pads (new and recycled ) made in a square 'Fold and Fit' style or the more traditional contoured pad style.

Natracare - Pads and panty shields made from 100% unbleached Scandanavian wood pulp

Pins 'N Powder - These are no fuss pads. No liners to fold, pockets, or other unneeded parts. A contoured pad, with wings that snap around your panties. They come in light (10" long, 5 layers of flannel), medium (10" long, 8 layers of flannel), and heavy (12" long, 10 layers flannel w/waterproof backing).

Pleasure Puss (Australia)- Pleasure Puss menstrual wear incorporates the features of disposable pads that you need within a comfortable, body friendly and environmentally friendly kind cloth pad alternative.

Sisterly Works - 100% cotton fabric pads - muslin (unbleached) and flannel. They are sold in Junior, Regular and Large sizes

The Keeper Store - 100% flannel pads in dark colored and organic cotton. Carrying case available

Wemoon Natural Menstrual Pads (Australia)- Highly absorbent, all-in-one, slim and flexible pad which doesn't leak, irritate, bunch up or ride. Soft cotton flannelette outer moulds to your body's natural curves, while security stitching and broader, press-studded wings provide a better fit.

Combining latest technology with oldest women's wisdom, Wemoon pads incorporate a biodegradable waterproof layer and recycled absorbent layer capable of holding ten times its weight in liquid.

Three different sizes to suit your needs and a sumptuous range of colours to suit your moods, including Leopard Print!

MoonPurse and MoonBag also available.

As absorbent and convenient as disposables, with accompanying accessories providing a complete system of absorbing blood, transporting pads and returning your blood to the earth every month.

A hygienic and respectful way to recognise the wonders of womanhood, while enjoying beautiful and soft textured fabrics.

Made in Australia and 100% guaranteed.

Womens Choice Patterns - Women's Choice(TM) non-disposable menstrual pad and panty-liner patterns are now available to the public. Each of the 4 designs has been well tested. For over 10 years (1989-2000) these pads were manufactured on Vancouver Island BC, Canada, and were sold to the world market under the Canadian trademarks, Women's Choice(TM) and Le Choix des Femmes(MC), as well as the US trade mark, Modern Women's Choice(TM). Women's Choice(TM) patterns are available for personal use only.

CATALOGS AND WEB SITES SELLING CLOTH MENSTRUAL PADS

Arbour Environmental Shoppe

Born To Love E-Catalog

Yummies Nappies (UK)

ALTERNATIVE MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS

Articles

Comments About Menstrual Cups by The Museum of Menstruation

Comments On The Keeper Menstrual Cup by Random Girl

Menstrual Sponges by The Red Spot

Vendors

Bareware - The Keeper Menstrual Cup

Forever Family (Canada) - The Keeper Menstrual Cup

Gaiam.com - Organic cotton tampons

Health Keeper, Inc. - Manufacturer of The Keeper

Jade and Pearl, Inc. - Sea Pearls reusable silk sponge tampons

Many Moons - The Keeper Menstrual Cup

Menses - the Keeper Menstrual Cup (UK)

Natracare - Non-chlorine bleached, all cotton tampons

Pandora Pads - Natracare and Organic Essentials organic cotton tampons

The Keeper, Inc. - The Keeper Menstrual Cup (Australia/New Zealand)

The Keeper Store - The Keeper Menstrual Cup

Weebees - Organic Cotton Tampons

Yummies Nappies (UK) - The Keeper Menstrual Cup

OTHER RESOURCES

Mernstruation.com.au - You have the power to feel good about yourself and your body. Menstruation.com.au provides information, products, and an alternative viewpoint about menstruation so that you can feel great about being a woman every day of the month!

The Museum Of Menstruation And Women's Health - Excellent resource!!

The Red Spot - A good resource for menstrual information

Cleaning Cloth Menstrual Pads With Oxy-Boost

What Is Oxy-Boost?
Oxy-Boost is sodium percarbonate, a solid form of hydrogen peroxide bonded with natural soda ash. It is activated by water where it releases oxygen which provides cleaning and effective stain removal.

Why Use Oxy-Boost?
Almost as important as the decision to use cotton pads or other natural fiber garments should be the decision of what you use to clean them.
Please consider the following --

Detergents:
Many commercial products do clean effectively but will leave behind unwanted fragrances and other residues. In addition, detergent alone may not always completely clean heavily stained pads. Natural soaps are a safer choice but they are no better than commercial products in removing tough stains and may also reduce the absorbency of the cloth.

Chlorine Bleach:
Chlorine bleach will break down any natural fiber, cause fading and discoloration. Chlorine bleach can produce small amounts of dioxin which is a well known carcinogen. Also chlorine bleach tends to cover up stains instead of totally removing them.

Borax:
Borax is a natural mineral often recommended as a whitening agent for cottons. While effective to some degree, Borax is not a true bleaching agent and is very limited in effectiveness on really tough stains.

Oxy-Boost:
Oxy-Boost is a versatile oxygen based bleach. It is color-safe, fabric-safe, user-safe, and is an excellent deodorizer. Oxy-Boost is safe at all temperatures, on all washable fabrics (except silk or wool), and all colors in soft or hard water, and is compatible with household detergents and cleaners.

Oxy-Boost will not hurt people, plants, children or animals. It is biodegradable leaving no harmful residues on the article cleaned or in the environment.

Oxy-Boost will remove the toughest organic stains and unlike chlorine bleach, which can merely cover up a stain, Oxy-Boost attacks and breaks down stains to totally remove them from the garment. It also sanitizes the fabric.

Like all Natural Choices' products, Oxy-Boost contains no fragrances or unnecessary fillers.

Instructions For Use:
Rinse or soak pads in cold water prior to laundering.

Dissolve 1-2 ounces of Oxy-Boost in a gallon of hot water and soak pads for at least 60 minutes, preferably overnight.

Launder as usual. Use Natural Choices' Oxy-Prime Detergent for best results. Consider using Natural Choices' Safe 'N Soft Fabric Softener as well, which will not reduce the absorbency of the cloth unlike many other fabric softeners containing tallow.

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NATURAL CHOICES
9525 South 60th Street, Franklin, WI 53132
Toll Free: 1-866-OXY-BOOST (1-866-699-2667) or 414-421-9394
Fax: 414-421-9903 • Email: info@oxyboost.com
Copyright 2005