These are all sustainable period products in the UK
Switching from plastic period products to reusable sanitary products can feel like a big step. You may want to save the environment but the initial outlay may be putting you off.
We all know that switching to more eco friendly period products not only helps save the planet but could also help reduce that horrid sticky and wet feeling we all get while on our period.
The average woman uses over 16,000 disposable pads and tampons during her lifetime. Even if you switch today, think how much less plastic that would be in our landfills!
So if you are looking for a better alternative to your normal plastic pad or Tampon that we have 19 reusable period products for you that can help get you started.
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Not sure about switching just yet? Then here are five compelling reasons why you should try and switch:
Could help reduce your cycle
Using reusable products could really help reduce your cycle and any skin rashes you may have.
If you suffer from cramps and other menstrual systems then switching to an eco version of whatever you currently use could help reduce that pain. Many disposable sanitary items are full of plastic that block the air to your vagina meaning that it could get itchy and then infected. Switching to a plastic-free product could mean less pain and no artificial smell.
You could save money
If you don’t want to switch for health reasons then why not for money reasons? It is true that reusables will cost you money upfront now but they will save you money in the longer term. Compare it to a lifetime of buying tampons or disposable pads that end up in a landfill.
Imagine that you pay £40 for 12 reusable pads or period pants which last up to five years; you will make your money back in one year alone. If you decide to try a menstrual cup then you’ll save even more.
Easy to use
Reusable products are easier to clean than you think
If you are worried about the hygiene aspect then let us help. Many of the reusable pads and period pads have an extra absorbent layer or waterproof layer that helps hold the liquid. The reusable pads and pants can hold as much, if not more than a normal pad which means you can change them less.
At the start, they do feel a little bulkier than your normal throw-away items but you do get used to them quickly.
Most brands offer you a bag with two pockets. One for your clean pads and one for your used ones so you can wash them when you get home. You don’t need to pre-clean them before putting them in the washing machine but you can run them through with cold water if you prefer.
Then stick them in the wash with your other coloured items and hand them out to dry. It really is that simple!
Reusable pads could be healthier for you
Did you know that there are loads of synthetic fibers and plastics in your normal period products? These fibers and ingredients could cause reactions and other undiagnosed disorders that you don’t even know about yet.
It’s the right thing to do
We all have a responsibility to help save the planet but it’s more than that. Using reusable period products means that you are doing your bit while helping local businesses too. These products aren’t boring or generic either. Depending on which company you go with, the designs are all fun and can be as inspirational as you are!
Using eco-friendly period products
It really is easy to switch from your normal plastic period products to a more sustainable product. We have 19 of our favorite reusable menstrual products here that you can try depending on what you are looking for.
Please bear in mind that you might not like the first product you try. Please keep trying as there will be a product out there for you.
Best reusable menstrual cups
These are a cheaper alternative to disposable period products. A menstrual cup is a small cup shape item that is flexible and fits in your vagina so you don’t have to use a tampon or pad. It sits just below your cervix and collects the blood that falls.
You can use it for up to 12 hours and instead of sucking the blood up as a tampon does it collects the blood ready for you to empty.
Unlike most plastic products, if inserted correctly then it can’t leak. It’s really easy to insert and you can go swimming and do anything else that you would normally do!
Our top five favorite menstrual cups are:
Mooncup
Mooncup is made of 100% medical-grade platinum silicone and can hold three times more blood than a tampon. It doesn’t dry you out like a plastic menstrual product and works great whatever you have planned that day.
Saalt Soft Menstrual Cup
This is a soft and flexible menstrual cup that is great if you have bladder sensitivity, cramping or discomfort with firmer cups.It’s really easy to insert and if looked after light can last up to 10 years.
Buy the Saalt Soft Menstrual Cup here
CROING Reusable Menstrual Cup
This set comes with four different sized cups and a discreet bag for you to carry it in. This is a great quality product but it does take a few does to get it in correctly.
Buy the CROING Reusable Menstrual Cup here
Athena Menstrual Cup
This is a great affordable menstrual cup that can help to reduce cramping and dryness. These cups give you the freedom away from disposables right away.
Buy the Athena Menstrual Cup here
SPEQUIX Women’s Silicone Menstrual Cup
These are made of medical-grade silicone will a rounded cup that can help stop leaks. You can also cut the trim of your cup if it’s too long and for comfort.
Buy SPEQUIX Women’s Silicone Menstrual Cup here
Best reusable period pads
Just like a normal plastic pad, reusable period pads are really easy to use. While the first outlay may seem large, the fact that many of these eco-friendly reusable sanitary pads can last up to five years.
They wash at 30 degrees with your normal washing and normally dry within two or three hours on a warm raidator.
Out and about, if you do need to change then you just unpop the poppers, fold them into a square and put them in your bag. There is no smell and no leak!
What we like the best is that they are so soft and don’t make us sweat in the summer months.
If you are looking to exercise in them then we’d suggest you buy high rise tight pants that really hug your hips and we’ve found they can move a little if you are exercising for a long period of time but we’d say the same about normal plastic pads too.
Floating Lotus Reusable Bamboo Sanitary Towels
These are the cotton menstrual pads we wear ourselves. They are made of soft and breathable material with an odour resistant top layer.
What we like the most is that the different size absorbs pads have different coloured poppers so you can quickly grab the one you need. They are super comfy for overnight and fold up really small if you are out and about.
Buy the Floating Lotus Reusable Bamboo Sanitary Towels here
Eco Lily 6 Pack Reusable Cloth Sanitary Towels
These come in three different sizes depending on your period strength. They wash really well and are soft in all the right places.
They are chemical-free and are great for daily wear.
Buy the Eco Lily 6 Pack Reusable Cloth Sanitary Towels here
Wear Em Out
These pads are fashionable and fun! They come in a range of colours and styles which match however you are feeling.
What we like the most is that they are pretty good value for money and are thin, so you don’t really feel like you are wearing much at all.
They absorb a lot and come up really clean when washed.
Rovtop 12 Pack Reusable Sanitary Pads
These reusable pads come in cotton or bamboo and a range of different designs. The reviews say that they can last up to one day but we found we needed to change after four hours on a heavy day. They did last very well overnight though!
Buy Rovtop 12 Pack Reusable Sanitary Pads here
Little Lamb Cloth Sanitary Pads
These cute sanitary pads come in a bumper pack with everything you need. They are really absorbent and come with a bottle of tea tree oil if you prefer to freshen them up.
Buy Little Lamb Cloth Sanitary Pads here
TOTM pads
A bit like your classic period pad, TOTM pads are disposable but made in a more sustainable way. They are thin feeling which is great for a night out but do only last about the same time as a traditional pad, so about four hours.
Best Eco-friendly tampons
Did you know that a conventional box of tampons could contain as much as five carrier bags worth of plastic? Swapping to reusable tampons can really help reduce your plastic waste.
It is true that you can’t be completely plastic-free with eco tampons. Even by using a reusable tampon applicator, there is always going to be some sort of plastic to help keep the insert clean before you need it.
This is less about being completely plastic-free and more about reducing your dent on the environment. Our top eco-friendly tampons products are:
DAME reusable applicator set
Made out of BPA-free medical-grade mediprene, DAME have produced a tampon set that you don’t have to even clean, just rinse through with water.
What we like the best about this is that it’s easy to use and felt almost like a straight swap from the conventional tampon. It did take a little longer to work out how to use the first time but after that, it was pretty swift to insert and go.
The DAME kit comes with tampons and the applicator, plus a pretty little tin to keep it in when you don’t it.
Try the DAME reusable applicator set here
Ohne cardboard applicator tampons
Ohne cardboard applicator tampons do what they say. The applicator is cardboard and the tampons themselves are biodegradable.
What we love the most is that the tampons come in different sizes depending on your period, so we brought a mix of all to cover ourselves.
Buy the Ohne cardboard applicator tampons here
Callaly tampliners
Think of this as a tampon and pad in one! The liner is biodegradable as it does need to be binned when you have finished with it. When you take it out of the box it does look a little strange but the instructions are amazing and so detailed.
Buy the Callaly tampliners here
Best reusable period underwear
Period underwear is a great way to turn away from conventional sanitary products. Most of the underwear is made from organic cotton or other soft reusable products that means they can be easily washed to use again and again.
If you decide you like the idea of period underwear then having a least 6 pairs is ideal so that they have time to dry.
if you do any exercise like squats or running then we prefer these to reusable sanitary pads as they don’t tend to move around as much as period pads.
Our top five favorites are:
INNERSY Girls Cotton Underwear
These period pants are great for teens and those of us that like comfy underwear. While it does feel a bit weird to bleed straight into the pants they are really absorbent and don’t need changing as much as normal pads. You can wash them with the rest of your washing like normal too.
These come in a range of different colours and designs which means you buy some to match any outfit you have.
Buy INNERSY Girls Cotton Underwear here*
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Thinx Leotard
This is a super absorbency leotard that is great for exercising in. It’s an all in one that looks great and really fits your body so that you can dance, squat and jump without having to worry about any leaks. It has built-in bust support and is super stretchy for all kinds of workouts. It is a little pricy but is worth the peace of mind if you do a lot of exercises.
Thinx super hiphugger
We love these hip-hugger pants as you can wear them just like your normal underwear and ignore traditional tampons and pads.
They come in a range of different colours and different absorbances. What we like the best is that they are really quick-drying when washed. We personally use these for exercise as we find they hug the hips correctly enough and stay put.
Buy the Thinx super hiphugger here
Modibodi waist bikini pants
These super sexy pants are great for making you feel as normal as possible while on your period. They aren’t bulky and come seam-free and in a range of colours.
They wash really well and dried within three hours when we put them on the radiator. What we liked the most was that they didn’t really feel like period pants at all!
Buy the Modibodi waist bikini pants here
WUKA period pants
Sold in many high street supermarkets, WUKA period pants are made of renewable raw material wood. They are soft, flexible, and are great for exercise. We used them while squatting and lunging and had no leak or movement as they fit well on the hips.
We found these the best for overnight wear as well. They lasted 12 hours which our normal plastic pads never did!
Buy the WUKA period pants here
Laura x
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