Walking Like A Penguin To Washing Like Crazy, My Experience With Cloth Pads

It has been more than five years since I made a conscious choice to use biodegradable and sustainable sanitary products. I have also been amongst those unfortunate menstruators who have to often deal with rashes, itching, and irritation during periods.

I was only 11 years old when I started bleeding. Before that, I had seen my mother using make-shift cloth pads that she used to dispose of in paper. She used commercial pads when we were either travelling or had to head out of the house. Otherwise, she restricted herself to using a muslin cloth enveloping cotton.

When I started bleeding, my mother got me regular-sized sanitary pads with wings. They did not quite fit my requirements because I bleed heavily. Soon I shifted to the larger pads. and tried-and-tested various brands, offering thin and thick pads for various needs. I did once try her makeshift pads but ended up with bloody pants and sheets within two hours. They did not have wings and moved from their intended place.

Most of these options solved the issue of leakage and soiling of clothes. However, none of them helped me get rid of the itching and irritation. In summers, I used to suffer from the worst rashes, struggling to even walk straight.

Then one day, my aunt suggested I start using cotton pads. So that’s what I did. I started using them, and I really liked the ones by Whisper that came wrapped in pretty pink packets. Up until then, I used to wonder about the hazards of dumping sanitary waste, but it actually dawned on me when I saw a boy of 12 or 14 picking pads and segregating waste in Greater Noida. I was pursuing Engineering then, and volunteered to teach kids in a slum nearby.

I read up more on the subject and realised though menstruators don’t have control over their bleeding and periods in general, they can certainly choose what products they use.

So far, I have tried disposable pads from various brands, menstrual cups, and even tampons. This time, I thought about switching to cloth pads and trying them out.

I hopped on Amazon and bought cloth napkins from Amazon from CareDone, Hygiene and You, and Anokhi. Here is my account of how things went.

I have been using Carmesi’s disposable period panties for the last three years and I loved the product. This time when I got my period, I made a vow to try the cloth pads. I must admit that I have always been hesitant about them.

Day One

Thankfully, this time, my periods started over a weekend. I decided to try one of the cloth pads by CareDone. Its pack of two was priced at ₹179, which seemed like a fair price to me.

They are quite soft and felt nice when I touched them. However, when I actually used one, I realised that it was quite thick. Not only was its outline visible through my trousers, but I also could not walk straight because it almost felt like I had pasted a big cotton ball on my panty.

Day one was full of cramps and pain, so the bleeding was moderate. The pad was able to absorb the blood, but it always kept the skin wet. It was quite irritating, and I had to wash it after six hours because I could not carry on with the wetness and walking with my legs spread apart like penguins.

Here is the worst thing – when you empty a menstrual cup, you just have to turn it upside down, and the blood is gone. When you wash a cloth pad, it bleeds out heavily when you pour water on it. The sight is definitely not pleasing.

Another downside of the CareDone pad is when you wash them, they release shreds of fabric which also got stuck to my skin and caused the worst itching until I showered again and opted for a thorough cleaning. I changed to my old disposable pads after this experience.

Day Two

On day two, I decided to use a Hygiene and You pad (₹190 for one). It was long like a Whisper’s night pad. It was thinner than the CareDone pad, but it still showed through my night pyjamas. Moreover, it somehow felt heavy. If I moved, it also moved with the movement of my hips.

On the second day, I usually experience heavy bleeding. The pad was able to absorb it all, but I still felt it being wet against my skin. It constantly kept me aware that there was something extra between my legs and always kept me conscious of soiling my clothes and sheets.

I washed it within four hours. Again, the sight of blood continuously flowing through the drain would never be erased from my memory. I switched to my old buddy, a disposable pad with a biodegradable cover. Thankfully, this pad did not leave its shreds in the nooks and crannies of my genital area.

Day Three

Since I was not feeling well, I was on leave on day three of my period. I decided to give the last one a try and secured Anokhi’s long pad (₹200 for one) to my panty. It was softer and better than the CareDone and Hygiene and You ones.

That day, I bled lighter and kept the pad on for eight hours. It absorbed the blood and did not have the feeling of wetness like the other two. Though its outline was definitely visible through my attire. Since I was at home, I did not mind.

I washed it in the evening making faces at the sight of the water turning red. I again tried a CareDone one in the night. It prevented me from soiling my clothes and sheets, yet I slept cautiously through the night. Every time I tossed or turned, the pad moved, and I had to adjust it. The worst part was I had to immediately jump into the shower after waking up because of the wetness.

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Day Four, Five, Six & Seven

After the hassle of three days, I decided to use pads from my old stock. They have a cotton cover with a thin absorbent structure. They aren’t visible through my clothes, and most of all, they don’t make me feel wet because they absorb better. The best part is I don’t feel rushed to take a shower as soon as I wake up in the morning.

A few years ago, I purchased cloth panty liners for the first time. I still use them on the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh days of my periods, depending on how much I bleed. Most panty liners that I have used are soft, absorbent, and thin.

More than pads, I find it better to use cloth panty liners. They serve the purpose without making me feel conscious and allow me to walk like a human.

I did not have any issues with the washing, but it took an effort to wash them. Though none of them landed me with any unwanted stains, I had to brush them with full power to ensure they got thoroughly clean after washing. Moreover, for me, I could not wear them while going to the office, market, or travelling. They made me conscious, were visible through my trousers and in case I get a stain, I can not change them

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What sanitary product you want to use is a personal choice. However, a cloth pad did not work for me as much as I hoped. Though they are cheaper than disposable ones, in the long run, I would still prefer to use biodegradable pads with cloth panty liners.

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