Trying Reusable Sanitary Pads | Ladydays

Ever since my close friend Siril became human propaganda for the menstrual cup, I have been searching to find my own sustainable period products that work for me. I should probably add a disclaimer before we begin that this blog post may include a lot of tmi info. I have been tempted to try a menstrual cup a few times but as somebody who gets nervous around a tampon, I figure that a little plastic cup sitting in my vagina isn't the one for me. Having scrolled through multiple pages of period pants and reusable sanitary pads, I realised the pads I wanted needed to be: pretty/cute, easy to use, easy to clean, comfortable, and not to move around too much when I'm on the move. 

After looking at thousands of pads, I finally decided to take the plunge and purchase a few when I discovered Lady Days Cloth Pads. Lady Days is run by one woman who manages the company and also makes all of the pads herself. I became aware of this company as she lives in the same village as my parents and I went to school with her son, but this in no way affects my review of the products.

There are many different types of pads and absorbencies on the website which I suggest you take a look through if you're planning on buying a set. You can even get a starter kit, but as I have a funny period due to my PCOS, I decided to make my own starter kit.

I opted for the cutest patterns I could find because 1. I am basically a child and 2. nobody is going to be seeing these apart from me so I might as well make them fun! As I was just trying these out, I didn't buy enough to last me a whole period so I have been using disposables whilst these are in the wash and rotating. The first thing I noticed when I unboxed my pads was that they were not as thick as I was expecting cloth pads to be (apart from the sleeper pad I purchased which is not pictured). This was a huge bonus as I wear a lot of leggings and skinny jeans and I was worried you would be able to see the pads through them if they stuck out a lot. However, wearing these cloth pads feels just like wearing my regular underwear and they are so, so comfortable. I couldn't be more thrilled with how comfy they are!

Each pad has Lady Days embroidered onto one wing and a letter embroidered onto the other to indicate the absorbency of that pad 'R' for regular and 'H' for heavy. So, even if you get multiple pads with the same pattern and size, you will always be able to identify which ones are for your lighter days and which ones are for your heavier. Although I have a heavier period than most due to having PCOS, I am still able to make use of the regular pads. They really are incredibly absorbent and I have even found I am less likely to leak with these than I am with disposables. As some of the pads have more than one popper to close onto, you can adjust the width to suit you, minimising any chances of the pad moving around as you move.

Now, the part which most of my friends and family seemed concerned with when I mentioned reusable pads.. the cleaning! Now, the cleaning is a lot simpler than everyone seems to think as I have just been throwing them in with my regular laundry. Once I remove a pad and replace it, I rinse the used pad under cold water until the water runs clear. Then, if only for a short amount of time, I will soak the pad in cold water until I next do my laundry. I always put them in on a cold wash (30 degrees) with no fabric conditioner as not to affect their absorbency. So, if you plan on using them, maybe hold off on doing lots of laundry the week before your period to make sure you have enough to be washing them regularly. 

I would highly recommend Lady Days Cloth Pads to anybody looking to venture into sustainable menstrual products. As soon as I receive my next pay cheque, I will be making an investment into purchasing enough to last me a whole period without needing to use any disposables. They are a healthier option for both the environment and my skin. 

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