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Cloth menstrual pads are not a new idea – women have been using them since the beginning of time. Disposable pads didn’t become popular until the 1960s.
But, I know what you’re thinking…
Why would you ever switch back to cloth pads when disposable pads are so much more convenient?
Well, there are lots of reasons. The biggest one is all the money you’ll save on feminine hygiene products. According to Green Child Magazine, the average woman uses between 12,000 and 16,000 disposable menstrual pads during her lifetime. That’s easily $30 per month or more. Other women switch to cloth menstrual pads because they want to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle or they don’t like the harsh chemicals used to manufacture disposable pads.
Even if you don’t want to switch to cloth pads exclusively, there’s still good reason to own some. For instance, you never know when a natural disaster will strike, or you’ll be faced with some other form of emergency. If you have cloth menstrual pads on hand, you’ll be able to deal with your periods more comfortably. Feminine hygiene products are some of the first items to disappear from store shelves in an emergency.
No matter what your motivation is, if you want to sew reusable cloth menstrual pads, here are some resources to help you do it. (Links to FREE cloth pad sewing patterns are at the bottom.)
What Materials Are Needed to Make Reusable Sanitary Pads?
Don’t be scared, you can use practically any fabric that can be washed to make reusable sanitary napkins. However, here are some fabric suggestions:
- Skin Layer: Medium-weight flannel, cotton, or bamboo. If you’re worried about stains, choose a dark-colored fabric.
- Core Layer: Absorbent fabric, such as Zorb, cotton, hemp, fleece, or bamboo terry.
- Liner Layer: Waterproof fabric, such as PUL.
In addition to your fabric layers, you’ll also need KAMsnaps or press studs.
How Do You Wash Cloth Menstrual Pads?
Cloth menstrual pads must be washed. This is the biggest hesitation women have when making the switch. You do have to get over the “Eww…” factor. However, if you’re committed and can create a washing routine, it’s not so bad.
Now, I know what you’re thinking…
What do you do with used cloth pads when you’re not at home?
TreeHugger.com suggests you buy or make a waterproof, zippered pouch to carry with you. Some people call these pouches “wet bags.” You’ll want to make sure your wet bag seals to avoid odor and leaking. When changing a pad, simply store your used pads in your pouch until you can get home to wash them.
Many women who use cloth menstrual pads also like menstrual cups. The cloth pads can then act as a backup. That way you usually won’t have to soak your cloth pads after wearing them. You can simply run them through your regular laundry.
Where Can I Find FREE DIY Cloth Pad Tutorials?
Sewing cloth menstrual pads is a great option because you can make any shape and thickness that works best for your body shape. Many women claim they work better than disposable pads.
I scoured the internet for FREE cloth menstrual pad patterns and tutorials. Here’s what I found:
- Circle Pad by Adahy
- Night/Heavy Pad by The Eco Friendly Family
- Homemade Sanitary Pads by the Hillbilly Housewife
- In-the-Hoop Feminine Pad by Handywoman (5×7 PES only)
- DIY Cloth Menstrual Pads Tutorial by Thixle
- Reusable Sanitary Pad Pattern by GodsChild.org
- Luna Wolf Cloth Menstrual Pad Tutorial
- Mama Cloth Panty Liner Tutorial and Pattern by Take Time to Smell the Roses
- Cloth Feminine Pad Tutorial by Sew in Peace
- Cloth Pad Tutorial by One Brown Mama
- Reusable Sanitary Pads by Kasia Nieduzak
- Washable/Reusable Sanitary Pads by Delivering Hope International
- Homemade Menstrual Pad Pattern by Simple Life Mom
- Reusable Sanitary Napkins by Scope
- Regular Cloth Sanitary Pad by Buburi
- Pauline’s Free Cloth Menstrual Pads Sewing Pattern
If you’d rather buy reusable cloth menstrual pads instead of sewing them yourself, there are some good options from Gladrags, Lunapads, and Lena Cup.
Rebecca Page also has a Reusable Cloth Pads Sewing Pattern. This one isn’t free, but it has really good instructions on how to sew them. It includes a pattern for six sizes, a wet bag, and individual storage pouches. Sweet Pea also sells an in-the-hoop pattern for cloth pads.
Also Read: How to Deal with Feminine Hygiene During and Emergency
A Quick Note: You can also sew reusable cloth menstrual pads and donate them to women in countries that do not have easy access to disposable pads. This is an awesome humanitarian aid project that helps girls stay in school and live more productive lives.
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I dry store mine in the side of the bath. When I’m next in the shower I’ll rinse them.
Hello!! We have a group project at our church making these for girls in other countries. Have you come across “picture only instructions” that could go with each kit to explain what they are and how to use them? Right now we do not know the language of the girls who will be receding them.
Thanks!
Blessings In a Shoebox website has a free printout that shows how to use the reusable pads and how to clean them.
Hi MK, would Live to join the group as a newbie..Need to start making these too for girls in other countries.
https://toolittlechildren.org/pad-project/ patterns included. It’s easy. I just received my first kit to sew. Once I have submitted that, I have already purchased and cut out the pads to send.
So you are not offering pattern nd information for sewing reusable pads here on this site???.
No, it looks as though she’s just linking other websites. Though her list is pretty good and I’m glad she’s complied it.