Sunday, October 4, 2009

Woman of the cloth.

Ahem. This is one of those awkward topics. I may as well just launch right in.
About a year ago, just after the birth of my second son, I switched to modern cloth nappies. Up until that time, I'd been completely reliant on disposable nappies for my 18-month-old. And not your eco-conscious, biodegradeable nappies. Nup. I was into your pure, made-from-crude-oil, -hanging-around-for-the-next-millenium dolphin-chokers.
The reasons for choosing to switch were varied, and in truth the sustainability factor was not my highest priority. But when I made the change, a whole lot of pennies started dropping. Scary pennies. I started to see what an unthinking consumer I was, how driven by lazy choices and the desire for convenience, how quick to believe what I was told I 'needed', how naive about where the things I bought came from and the impact they might have on this earth and its people.
Anyway, many changes have been made, slowly slowly, at chez clutterpunk since the arrival of cloth nappies. And last week, it came to this:
image from pleat.etsy.com
That's right. Cloth pads. I'm going there.
It was inevitable really. From cloth nappies, I moved to cloth wipes, serviettes, handkerchiefs and breast pads. I hadn't really thought much about 'that time of the month' until, well, it became an issue again (after a lovely 3 year hiatus!).
So. Ahem. There you go.
What do you think? Are you apalled, impressed, thinking 'well duh!', or bringing up your dinner as you read? Believe me, I NEVER thought I would be getting excited at the prospect of a bunch of cloth pads turning up in the mail. I could not have predicted this a year ago. How quickly things change...

41 comments:

  1. Yay Gina! We mostly use cloth hankies, serviettes, wipes etc (and cloth nappies for the first 18 months) at home rather than disposables, but not always. And I haven't moved to cloth pads! There is also "the keeper" which is another menstrual option - not that I've gone there yet either. Good on you for really walking the walk and not just talking the talk. I think I need to do a bit more of that myself.

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  2. OMG! I thought they were the next step on from cloth nappies for your son!!! You know, the eco-friendly pull-ups?! I think I exclaimed out loud when that heavy penny just dropped! Ha! I feel like an idiot.
    Honest answer? First response was, Eeuww! But then, it sunk in a bit more and I think... do you know, I actually think it's a great idea. Can't see my 12 year-old going there (!) but I'm thinking if has handled cloth nappies (in the non-touch sense, of course!) then this would be a doddle!
    Good on you, Gina! Can't say I'll be following you down that path just yet though... need to think about it a bit more. I must tell my daughter about it, though... just to see her face! (I'm a horrible mother!)
    Fabulous post, as always. Kylie xx

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  3. I'm certainly not appalled by the use of cloth pads. I'd actually be interested in hearing how they go though I won't make any promises about using them.

    It's funny how as women we don't like the thought of dealing with our bleeding. I wonder why that is? Why are we so grossed out at the though of washing blood out of reusable pads but we can stomach wiping kids bottoms or cleaning their vomit? Or is washing pads ok it's just the thought of them leaking or smelling that's the problem?

    Great post Gina

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  4. I'm with 'tea with lucy'. Diva Cup is the answer.

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  5. Good on you. I think you've galvanised me into action!

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  6. Good on you G!! I've been using cloth since Xan was born and I love it. I just bought some new lovelies a week ago. I've found it a lovely way to get in touch with my bod and I don't actually loathe my bleed like I used to. Good to know you aren't getting all those horrid chemicals in your system too. You can get them in lovely fabrics too... or make your own in your fave fabrics so you have something to look forward to. You won't look back. x

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  7. Oh man...it's 11.38 on a nearly-time-for-bed Sunday evening and you throw that one at me. I didn't have my Ewwww moment, because I did that when Soulemama's latest book arrived on my doorstep with step-by-step instructions for making your own. But I am ready for a change and after seeing Nikki's comment I have a new agenda item.

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  8. Go you! We use cloth nappies, and hankies, I was planning on making a decision b/tw cloth pads and the cup after my 3rd was born, but then I went and had an IUD fitted, and now - the, uh, need, seems to have been eliminated. Hurrah!

    I discussed this recently with my stepsister, and she was (truly) more grossed out by the thought of cloth pads than cloth nappies. I just don't get it at all. Poo vs blood. I know which I'd prefer to clean up!

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  9. Those are really pretty! And I think an interesting idea, possibly one I would consider too, once the need arises once more. I'm not sure I could go with the cup thing, it sounds scary :-> But cloth pads, yep, I'd use those.
    I'm seriously lazy about using cloth nappies. I have several boxes full of different sized ones scattered around the house, and I did used to use them too, more with Orlaith than with Esme. But British houses don't have laundries, and our bathroom is upstairs, so storage of soiled nappies is a big problem. And, I am lazy. Going upstairs to scrape and wash the nappy and tehn lug the bucket of nappies back down to the kitchen, not really tempting at the moment. It's terrible because I want to WANT to use my cloth nappies, but my own lazy backside is in my way.

    That turned into a bit of a rant! Ooops!

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  10. hi gina, I can relate to this whole post! i had that whole realisation moment about 6 months ago. i just had no idea there were options other than disposible sanitary items. then i started thinking about what people did about their period in the past. then i started researching. then i found this whole new world of sustainable options. i just felt so silly that i had NO IDEA (and my mum is a hippy so i should know)

    i made the change to the diva cup and cloth pads 3 periods ago and i will never look back. it just makes so much sense.

    good on you for making the change and good on you for posting about out!

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  11. Interesting post Gina! I have thought of using cloth pads, and the combo of diva cup and cloth pads seems like a much better choice than disposables. Also they would prob be good to replace yucky panty liners for those of us whose huge bubs did damage to the pelvic floor. Those pictured are very pretty. I'm off to horrify my husband...

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  12. I'm not looking to make an investment at the moment, but once I've had a second bub I think I'll go for either a Diva Cup or cloth pads. I made modern cloth nappies before my baby was born and at this point rinsing out menstrual pads doesn't seem like much more of an ordeal than rinsing his cloth liners - probably easier, actually!

    What does your partner think of the cloth pads? Has he expressed an opinion or does he feel it's not his territory to talk about? I don't think my hubby would be very impressed.

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  13. Hi there Gina, good on you for bringing it up. I use a Diva cup and find there is a mixed response from friends. I bought a copy of handmade home and there is a "pattern" for home made cloth pads if you feel like making your own. I am thinking they would be good to use as liners with the Diva cup.

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  14. Yep. Diva cup. Do it.

    We did biodegradable disposabals when we went out for the first year ( we have a composting toilet so it was easy to get rid of them) and modern cloth nappies at home- I really didn't find it to hard.

    Now we just use the biodegradbale ones as we only use two a day.

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  15. Now you have me thinking. I thought I was fairly environmentally conscious, and was slightly proud of my quiet efforts of saving the planet. But apparently I am just sending our planet to a slightly slower death than the average consumer. Tissues, paper towel, wipes, pads, and tampons all live in our house. And get used. Some constantly.

    Tissues will probably never leave. Hubby considers hankies germ-spreading factories, and I can't convince him otherwise (I've tried). But I guess that doesn't mean I have to use tissues, and we DO use washers for Snotface in terribly snotty times.

    I have thought about replacing all of the paper products with more sustainable things at some stage or other. As 'the bothered owl' said, my own laziness gets in the way. Some of my laziness doesn't make sense though. Cloth nappies, but not cloth wipes? Why not?

    I have no idea why the idea of the Diva cup makes me squirm. I mean, tampons are my preferred, um, method, so LOGICALLY it shouldn't be any different, right? Cloth pads on the otherhand, I think I could do that. Remind me when the baby is near due. As for a guy's reaction, hubby pulled an "oh gross" face, but said as long as he didn't have to deal with them, he didn't mind what I used.

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  16. yay for you! I have to admit - 2 years ago when I first learnt that I could be using cloth I thought "euuyuck" - but after using cloth nappies on my daughter it was just a natural/obvious change to make. I'm now pretty grossed out by the idea of disposable pads. Cloth are so much more comfy.

    I made my own (there are some great free/cheap patterns available online) from fabric recycled from old flannelette sheets and pjs and fleece from some old fleece jumpers. My fav are some I made from a vintage flannellete floral sheet that is the same as the one I had on my bed as a girl. Makes me smile every time I see that fabric.

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  17. I say good on you for going with it... and they're so pretty too!
    Personally, I just couldn't do it - I already have a germ phobia and I'm bordering on OCD about washing my hands thirty times a day.

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  18. I use a mixture of cloth and commercial pads and tampons, depending how 'out and about I am planning to be. These look great, but the clothies I have are made from organic cotton and are really soft and slightly stretchy- yours look like cotton and will probably get even better as the more you wash them so the cotton softens abit. Good luck!

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  19. Ok so I have ordered the DIVA Cup.....and if that bugger gets stuck you'll bloody hear about it!! any money....any money I'll be sweeting like a pig trying to get it in and OUT!!! Look what you have got me into gina....this is all your fault!! Not funny!!

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  20. OK, now you have me thinking. I too have a stash of cloth nappies but when my daughter started pooing every single nappy change and I went back to work, it just got too hard. But I'd rather clean up blood than poo any day. Hmmm... Where did you get them? And where did you other ladies order your Diva Cups from?

    Gina obviously this post needed to happen - look how many women are ready to talk about this!

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  21. I'd been thinking about cloth pads (moon pads, mama pads... call them what you will) for a couple of years, but it was something I never got around to trying. Then a couple of weeks ago I made a couple (using Soulemama's instructions in Handmade Home) to try out and discovered that they are really comfy. I wasn't quite game to wear them to work on my heavy day.... maybe next month! And washing them was easy - just a cold water soak, then in with the next loading of washing. Not gross at all.

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  22. Cloth pads are really comfy! And heaps better at night. I've been using a diva cup during the day as well... have you come across those yet? I've made all my own pads (so easy). If you want to have a go too, I have heaps of hemp and lots of PUL if you want... more than I'll ever use in a whole lifetime of menstruating!

    Yay for you and cloth!

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  23. please let me know how these work out.
    I knew there was a reason why they call it
    "the rag"
    I seriously think my body can't take all the crap that is made into modern disposable feminine products. I have been using a towel for overnight for years. Thank you for sharing, although, you are probably weren't looking for me to share, and blood is always just so awkward.

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  24. we used cloth nappies until my brain 'broke' - not from the nappies of course, i loved them - but we had to make some changes until i could function again after my 2nd bub - and once stopped, very hard to get a routine going with cloth again! Luckily (in a manner of speaking!) we are up to toilet training so it's not an issue for much longer ... i haven't quite decided about cloth pads, let us know how it goes!

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  25. I have been avoiding this issue but have thought about it hey... It kinda scares me to have to WASH them but i am guessing it is no different to soaking nappies etc. I have been on Hiatus for umm... about 4 years OMG I love breast feeding hehe But the more I read the more it will become an option when the time arrives. In the mean time I will continue to save the planet by Breast feeding YAY!!!

    ps Love the new header... sounds familiar!!
    xo Steph

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  26. Ive already commented on this post - but just had to comment again to say that I love your new header!

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  27. I am so happy that you brought this up - it's something that I have been wanting to do, sort of for eco reasons but more because I have a bit of a freak out each month putting all those chemicals right up against THAT area. I suppose what I want to know is do they work, I have a heavy flow (I'm talking change every 2 hours heavy) and use maternity pads for the first 2 or 3 days. Did you make your own?

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  28. would go cloth pads over Diva Cup, but haven't done either even though I wax lyrical about Modern cloth nappies- der! I hate seeing pads in the bin, too, feels kind of shameful....

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  29. hi Gina good on you and I will be so interested to hear how you go. Afterall women have done this in the past forever and my mum told me once of how even as a young teenager she had to wash her own "towels" out and hang them out on the line and she would be so embarrassed when they were there as she had brothers. I am lucky though as it's not an issue for me as I had to have a hysterectomy about 6 years ago.

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  30. O my... I only got back from out of town today & struggling adjusting back to the timezone and now I am reading this...
    Honest - my very first thought was - 'O what a pity to stain those lovely fabrics' (I think I like the one that looks like citrus cross sections best). Then I started scrolling through the comments and saw 'diva cup'... a few times. Feeling like I did back in the days when I read dolly doctor I googled 'diva cup' (wow - google would have been awesome when I was going through puberty!!!) and then I was grossed out. Maybe because of the sickly sweet pink on the website - but in most likelyness the word 'cup'. I'm cool with pad & tampon but today, at this time of night, I am struggling with "latex cup".

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  31. I've been there for the last almost 8 years and think it's FABULOUS every time I see another woman make the leap. I use both the diva cup and cloth pads (cause the diva cup doesn't work all the time for me but I love having the options). WELCOME to the club LOL.

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  32. You have really challenged me on this one. It's not something I've ever though about. In fact, I didn't even know these alternatives were out there. Thanks.

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  33. I have some on order now! I did not even know there was an alternative.

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  34. Wow - the borders of my mind are expanding at a rapid rate! This is so exciting. First I'm gonna gross out all my friends, then I'm going to order some.

    Not cos I'm a good eco-steward, I'm sooooo not, but the concept is just so awesome! You don't have to fork out on pads, it's probably better for the environment, they look so much nicer, and, this will sound weird, but it's so more in touch with the thousands of women who've gone before us, shoving rags in their knickerbockers, towels on their sheets, and, aaaages ago, goat dung up their mmm-hmmm-hmmm.

    Yay for pretty cloth pads, and yay for press-studs - awesome design solution.

    Thanks for the inspiration :-)

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  35. I've been using cloth pads for years. They're cheaper and more comfortable. And, though it feels like "too much information" to say so, my period shortened by two days when I switched. The pads you show in your picture are cuter than the ones I have, though - I may have to order some!

    -Holly

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  36. This is the first time I've visited your blog. I have to say, I've been using cloth pads for a year now and I love them! I get less yeast infections, they are comfortable and I love not having to spend money on disposable pads every month! I make mine out of whatever I have on hand, and have lots of different kinds because I like to try out new patterns. I don't think it's that icky and certainly it's a step up from dirty diapers. Ick.

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  37. I had the same thought process that you have, and I use a Diva and my clothies. I know it grosses some people out but I don't care. It's only blood, nothing we haven't seen before...so I'm thrilled about your post and actually, my ones are sadly worn out now, so I might treat myself to some new pretty ones like yours! Good on you for posting about clothies!

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  38. Yep, dried goat dung was used as a tampon in ancient Egypt... Certainly makes this alternative seem even more reasonable, comfortable and clean! :-)

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  39. Hiya, I've been charting by the moon and using cloth pads for 4 years now and there is NO turning back. I have a smallsupply of organic tampons for 'emergencies' but I don't even use them anymore as I now find them too abrasive on 'my lady bits' -once you're used to the softness and cleanliness of cloth pads, you'll never go back to the grotty comercial varieties. Bamboo is especially nice. I truly beleive they are MORE hygenic than commercial varieties.

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“Three Rules of Work: Out of clutter find simplicity; From discord find harmony; In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.”
~Albert Einstein