What exactly is a cloth menstrual pad?

Basically they are a menstrual pad made of cloth (synthetic and/or natural fibres) that absorbs your menstrual flow and can be washed out and reused again.

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Fabrics | Leak Protection | Shapes | Styles | Choosing

Fabrics
Different brands will be made differently, but generally they will consist of layers of absorbent material to catch the blood.  Usually with a pretty top layer to make the pad look nice, or a soft velour for comfort or organic cotton for sensitive skin. The core/absorbent layer will generally be a cotton, hemp, bamboo or other absorbent layer of different thicknesses depending on the absorbency of the pad. They pad be topped in flanellette, velour, pinwale cord, terry towelling and other fabrics.  Some may use a synthetic fleece top to give a sort of "stay dry" effect.  Generally natural fibres (cotton, bamboo, hemp, sherpa) are absorbent and synthetics (fleece, suede cloth etc.) make a stay dry top.  Velour and fleece can be made from natural or synthetic fibres, so make sure you know which it is if buying it.

See the "Where to start" page for more info on fabrics

Leak protection
Normal close weave Polyester and Nylon fabrics can create a leak resistant layer (they will leak but will be a fairly good resistant layer for a short time), or you can have some fabrics that are 100% (or close to it) waterproof, (Such as PUL) which will allow the pads to be worn for several hours even during the heaviest days without leaking.  Some pads have a built in waterproof layer, some might have a removable waterproof layer and some may not have waterproofing at all.  Pads without waterproofing are perfect for women who want their pads as natural/organic as possible or who have a light flow or like to change pads often.  Ones with waterproofing are best suited for women with heavier flow or who like to change pads less regularly.

Some argue that a waterproofed pad is less breathable than a non-waterproofed one, however this is not as pronounced as the sweatiness you can get with disposables.  The layers of fabric on top are still able to allow air to flow through (much more than an all plastic disposable pad) Some people don't notice a difference between waterproofed and non-waterproofed pads as far as hotness/sweatiness or "breathability" goes, and some people do... its personal choice.  Generally speaking, a non-waterproofed pad will need more layers of fabric in it than a waterproofed pad, so in my experience I have found non-waterproofed pads to feel buklier than waterproofed ones.

Non-Winged pad - Standard "oblong" shape

Your standard non-winged pad shape like you find with disposable pads.  May be a rectangle with blunt/square ends, or a rounded rectangle.  Sometimes these use fleece or other slip-resistant backing to stop them moving around in your underpants.  The snugness of your underpants also helps to keep them put.

Advantages

• More comfortable when riding a bike etc. as there are no snaps to add bulk
• Can simply put it in your underpants without needing to fasten wings around.
• Can be moved forward or back to where you need coverage most, which a winged pad might not allow.

Disadvantages

• Can shift about in your underpants more than winged pads
• Can slip out into the toilet if you are not careful!
• May leak off the sides if you're prone to that, as there are no wings to catch that.
• May bunch sideways
• Need to wear snug fitting underpants

Advantages

• More comfortable when riding a bike etc. as there are no snaps to add bulk
• Can simply put it in your underpants without needing to fasten wings around.
• Contoured shape means more coverage at front/back without being too wide in crotch.
• Less likely to bunch up than standard wingless shape

Disadvantages

• Can shift about in your underpants more than winged pads
• Can slip out into the toilet if you are not careful!
• May leak off the sides if you're prone to that, as there are no wings to catch that
• May bunch sideways
• The narrowest point of the pad will generally sit at your crotch, which may not leave coverage where you need it, as it can't be moved further forward or back like a plain wingless pad.
• Need to wear snug fitting underpants

Advantages

• Less likely to move around in your underpants (though they can slip forward or back)
• Wings give extra leak protection for those who leak off the sides of pads.
• Wings can help keep the pad from bunching sideways

Disadvantages

• Can feel bulky in the crotch due to the extra layers of fabric.
• Leakage onto the wings can travel onto clothing.
• The wing position will generally find the smallest point of the crotch of your underpants, and that may not be the best position for where you need coverage.
• Snug fitting underpants recommended

All-in-one (AIO) pad
This is a pad (of any shape) that has the absorbency and waterproofing built into a pad that you use as a disposable - just put it in your underpants and you are good to go.  No adding anything.

Advantages

• Quick and easy to use
• Little chance of leakage due to the waterproofing
• The waterproof layer means the flow can be distributed through the pad more, so less layers are needed in the pad - allowing the pad to be thinner and can be less bulky than non-waterproofed pads.
• Wool can be used as a leak resistant layer to give an all natural AIO pad.

Disadvantages

• Can take longer to dry than pads with removable parts,  as all layers are sewn into the pad and are not removable.
• No ability to adjust the absorbency.
• May have to be more careful with washing and care, as some chemicals and heat can damage the waterproof fabrics.
• Waterproofing is generally synthetic.

Non-Waterproofed All-in-one
This is what I would consider a pad that has all layers sewn in, but has no waterproofing.  Can be winged or non-winged, of any shape.

Advantages

• Quick and easy to use
• Can be made from all natural fabrics

Disadvantages

• Can take longer to dry than pads with removable parts as all layers are sewn into the pad and are not removable.
• No ability to adjust the absorbency
• Does not contain waterproofing
• Often these need more layers to achieve the same protection as a waterproofed pad.

Pocket/Envelope pad

This is a pad that has the absorbency as separate removable "inserts" or "boosters", and the pad itself is just an empty shell/pocket/envelope.  To use the pad you place however many inserts you need into the pad for the absorbency you need.  Usually contains no waterproofing, but some styles do have waterproofing on the under side of the pocket part or on the inserts.

Advantages

• Quicker to dry as the inserts are removable
• If the pad comes with more than one insert you can adjust the amount of absorbency so you aren't using a thick pad when you don't need to
• The one pad can see you through light flow to heavier flow by putting less or more inserts in.
• Can use anything as the inserts (folded hankachiefs etc.)

Disadvantages

• Have to assemble the pad prior to use (and dissasemble to wash)
• Usually not waterproofed.
• Not all come with inserts that extend into the wing, so you may have only a thin layer of fabric on the wing that you can leak through.
• The whole pad needs to be changed when soiled (you can't just replace the inserts).
• Some Pocket pads are provided with one insert, which may be too thick or not thick enough for your needs.

        Advantages

• Quicker to dry than an AIO as the inserts are removable
• Can change the inserts while leaving the base on, so you can change more regularly to have a fresh pad on.
• Styles that use pocket ends or tape/ribbon straps can usually be used with more than one insert, and you can make additional inserts or use face washers etc. to add absorbency.

Disadvantages

• Have to assemble the pad prior to use (and dissasemble to wash)
• Some styles do not have waterproofing.
• Styles that have the inserts attach to the base part will only allow one insert at a time, and only work with their own brand.
• If you have a style that only works with its brand of inserts you may not have enough inserts to last all day.
• Inserts usually not suitable for heavy flow, so you may bleed through them quickly.

Advantages

• Quicker to dry than an AIO as the absorbency is in a thinner fabric that folds up to make it more absorbent.
• Can refold the pad to have a clean surface

Disadvantages

• Have to assemble/fold up the pad prior to use
• Trickier to use than an AIO due to the folding.

Example of these are:

• A winged pad that comes with a wingless booster that snaps onto the underside of the pad
• A winged pad that comes with a wingless booster that sits under the pad (held in place by the pad)
• A winged pad with bands or other way of holding a booster on the under side of the pad.

 

 

Advantages

• Quicker to dry than an AIO as the absorbency is in separate parts
• Can adjust the absorbency you need with the optional boosters
• Generally includes waterproofing


Disadvantages

• Have to assemble the pad prior to use