Cloth Pad 101: Beginner's Guide

Cozy Reusables Cloth Pads are a modernized, washable alternative for all your menstrual, postpartum and/or incontinence needs. They’re eco-friendly, cost-effective, comfortable, and come in appealing patterns to make a not-so-great experience more fun!

On this page you'll find our introduction to Cloth Pads, and some of the reasoning behind what might have brought you here today! We'll tell you some basics on what to look for when choosing a Cloth Pad for your needs. You'll also find our recommendations for our most commonly asked question: "How do I care for Cloth Pads".

 

Why Choose Cloth Pads Over Disposable Pads?

There are several reasons why you might consider switching to Cloth Pads:

They're Eco-Friendly!

Disposable Pads are a major contributor to environmental pollution and waste. According to research, the average menstruating person will use approximately 11,000 disposable pads in their lifetime, which adds to millions of tons of non-biodegradable waste sitting in our landfills. Cloth Pads, on the other hand, can be reused for up to 5 years or more, reducing your carbon footprint and waste production.

They're Cost-Effective!

Disposable Pads can be expensive, especially if you have an extremely heavy flow or if you need to change Pads frequently. Cloth pads are a one-time investment that can save you hundreds of dollars in the long run. Moreover, Cloth Pads can be easily washed and reused, eliminating the need for frequent purchases.

Comfortable and Healthy

Cloth Pads are made from soft, breathable materials that allow air circulation and prevent moisture buildup. This makes them more comfortable and less prone to odor and irritation compared to Disposable Pads.

 

Factors to Consider When Choosing Cloth Pads!

Cloth pads come in different sizes, shapes, and styles, and can be customized to fit your specific needs and preferences. When choosing Cloth Pads, there are several factors to consider to ensure that you get the best fit, absorbency, and comfort:

Size, Shape and Style:

Cloth Pads come in a huge variety of sizes, shapes and styles to accommodate different body types and flow types. Each style has its own advantages in terms of coverage area, absorbency and discreetness. It's important to choose a style & shape that fits your flow!

Cozy Tip: Measure your preferred Disposable Pad and compare it to the length & snapped widths of Cozy Reusable Cloth Pads to ensure a good fit.

More info on Cozy Reusables Cloth Pad shapes here;

Snapped Widths:

Cozy Reusables Cloth Pads have snaps on each wing that allow you to adjust the width of the pad. "Snapped Width" refers to the width of the Cloth Pad when it's snapped up around your underwear. It's important to adjust the snaps to fit your underwear of choice, to prevent shifting or bunching. You can experiment with different snapped width settings to find the most comfortable and secure fit for you!

Absorbency Level:

Cloth pads have different levels of absorbency that correspond to different flow levels. Depending on your needs, you can choose your absorbency from our: Liners, Moderates, Heavys, Super Heavys, or our new Ultra Heavy Wide absorbency. Always choose the correct category for your flow level to prevent leaks.

Materials:

Cloth Pads are made from different materials such as Cotton, Bamboo, Hemp, Zorb, and breathable Polyesters. Each material has its own benefits and drawbacks in terms of absorbency, breathability, durability, and softness. It’s important to choose a material that suits your skin type, sensitivities and preferences.

More info on Cozy Reusables Cloth Pad materials here;

 

How to Care for and Clean Cloth Pads

Proper care for your Cozy Reusable Cloth Pads is simple and easy, and can help extend their lifespan and effectiveness. Here are some tips on how to care for and clean your Cloth Pads:

Storing Soiled Cloth Pads:

The most important thing to remember when storing soiled Cloth Pads is ventilation. You want to make sure that the bag or bin you choose to store soiled Cloth Pads in, has enough air circulation for your Pads to dry out. We recommend this "dry storage" method because once your soiled Cloth Pads have dried out, there will be no moisture for any odor causing bacteria to grow in. Don't worry! - the blood will rehydrate in your "pre-wash" step outlined below, and is extremely easy to wash out and stain treat if needed.

If you're compelled to rinse each pad immediately after use, you can do so - as long as they are hung to dry and not left wet for too long. Most of us do not have the space or privacy to be able to rinse and hang all our soiled Pads until wash day, which makes our recommended "dry storage" method above the most convenient option.

We do not recommend a "wet storage" method, which may involve leaving soiled Pads in a bucket of water/stain remover for extended periods of time. This can promote bacteria growth and unnecessary humidity in your home. We do not recommend soaking your Cloth Pads for any longer than a few hours, or at the most overnight.

Rinse / Pre-Wash:

When your cycle has finished or you need to supply more clean Pads for the remainder of your cycle - you will start with a quick rinse or "pre-wash" of your soiled Cloth Pads. This can be done in a sink, bucket or right in your washing machine on a quick rinse/pre-wash cycle.

We prefer doing this step with room temperature or lukewarm water opposed to ice cold or hot water. Ice cold water can seize up fibres and not allow the full amount of soil to rinse free. Hot water can exacerbate stains and odors if present.

After this step, you may choose to apply or soak in stain remover for a short period of time before moving on to your next main wash step.

Main Wash

For your main wash you'll continue washing your Cloth Pads exactly as you would your everyday laundry. After the rinse step, we prefer to add our Cloth Pads into an already existing load of everyday laundry. Washing your Pads with other laundry items will ensure they have enough items to scrub up against and get a proper clean. If you wash your Cloth Pads by themselves, then they may not receive enough agitation to get every layer clean.

Use the same detergent as you would use on your undergarments or everyday laundry. Be sure not to add too much detergent/stain removers, as your washer may not be able to rinse all of it free from your laundry. If detergents are consistently not rinsed free from fibres, it may unfortunately cause build up and odors.

Choosing Cloth Pads can be a simple and effective way to improve your menstrual hygiene, reduce environmental impact, and save money. By considering factors such as size, absorbency, material, and style, you can find the right Cloth Pads for all your needs and preferences. With proper care and cleaning, Cloth Pads can provide a comfortable, healthy and long lasting alternative to Disposable Pads that benefit both you and the planet!