A Personal Subject with an Economical Solution

A Personal Subject with an Economical Solution - Visionary Womanhood

Before we get started, let me give any male reader a heads up: THIS DOESN’T APPLY TO YOU. So long. Good-Bye. Auf Wiedersehen, Adieu.

OK, ladies.

Let’s Get Personal

I know this isn’t the most exciting subject to discuss, but hello. It comes up once a month for all of us whether we like it or not. And millions and jillions AND bazillions of dollars are spent every year on stuff to soak up the flow.

I’ve always been a tampon gal myself, but I do like to wear panty liners on all the in-between days. I’ve definitely contributed to the success of the Tampax and Always companies.

Then I heard about Mama Cloth. It sounded pretty disgusting to me, but the more I read about it, the more it intrigued me. I decided to try out a few different companies who made Mama Cloth and write a review over at Keeper of the Home.

Since that time I’ve settled on using cloth panty liners exclusively from Talulah Bean. Their pads are the prettiest and softest. They also wash up the best. (There are lots to choose from, but I am very extremely partial to the Minky Bean Liners.) Both my daughter and I wear them in-between cycles, and my daughter actually wears the larger cloth pads for her cycle. (I’m back to tampons, thank you very much. But I do wear the pads as a “back up.”)

Check out their Which Bean is Right for Me page to help sort through all the options.

Giveaway

No, I’m not an affiliate for Talulah Bean. I don’t know Mrs. Talulah Bean (aka Erica) personally. I’m not getting anything if you end up bopping over there to buy some pads. I just really, REALLY like their company, and their customer service seriously rocks. I have my own business, so I’m partial to other “mom” businesses and like to support them. Plus, they gave me a $5 gift code for referring someone (must have been from that Keeper of the Home article?) – and I’m not in the market for more pads right now, SO I thought it would be fun to give this $5 gift code to one of YOU!

Nothing fancy. Just leave a comment sharing your thoughts about cloth pads. Or anything, really, just to let us know you’re alive and kicking and need a pad or two.

{UPDATE: THE WINNER IS ALYSSA g*******[email protected] !}

A mother of nine, homemaker, business owner (Apple Valley Natural Soap), and most importantly, a Wemmick loved by the Woodcarver.

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31 thoughts on “A Personal Subject with an Economical Solution

  1. I would really like to get some more cloth pads for my daughter. We have some, but not enough for using it full time.

    I always like to get recommendations of places to buy from. Thanks for the article.

  2. I’ve really been wanting to try mama cloth. I’m preggie right now, but could use a panty liner type anyway, ya know how that goes. As I’ve gotten older my cycles have been more painful in that personal area, and I’m beginning to be suspicious that it could be caused by the chemical laden pads. 😛

  3. Thank you, Natalie. My family and I are moving to Nigeria in the near future and I was just thinking about how limited my ‘resources’ will be. These would be a great for me! Thanks for the information!

    • Even more economical (since it doesn’t contribute to laundry) is a menstrual cup. I’ve been using the Moon Cup for a few years now and it is excellent! Takes a few days to get used to, but once the learning curve is over it has all the benefits of a tampon without the risks. Blessings on your move!

      • I second, third, and fourth the cup. 😀 I personally have used the diva for years (6, I think) and am currently trying to procure a different brand not sold in the US through a friend who lives in the UK. I assure you – packing to leave town when anticipating the arrival of this faithful visitor is a lot simpler with a cup! 😉 If you can use tampons, trust me, you can use a cup!

        • OK, you are tempting me to give it a try. There are so many different kinds -I’m paralyzed. You have a diva – is there a certain variation within that brand that you recommend? Anyone else want to chime in?

          • There is nothing to be squeamish about any more than the other methods. Do you remember this is what started my fascination with biomechanics when I got one and discovered my cup was fitted quite low – my clue that I had pelvic floor issues. I like using it best, but some people might have some kinks to work out with finding a good fit. There is a website/forum that talks about some of the different brands for people who want to know the differences. http://menstrual-cups.livejournal.com/

          • For the Diva, they have 2 sizes: 1 for women who have given birth, and 1 for women who haven’t. Easy as that! :) They come with very clear and simple instructions, and there are a LOT of YouTube videos on alternate options and so forth. I have never tried another brand, but like I said earlier, I’m trying to get one now. I have exceptionally heavy cycles so I’m trying to get a slightly larger capacity cup and they just aren’t as readily available within the US yet. A good friend uses the Lady cup and is very pleased with it. But you might want to check out the other link provided to a broader review of brands! :)

  4. I have some but would like more! I use the diva cup for heavy days and highly recommend it!

  5. I use mama cloth and a diva cup exclusively. My daughter uses mama cloth and prefers Tallulah Bean and the minky products. I use another brand as well. Using them has cut down on cramps and severity of cycle. I will not go back! I am beginning a stash for my youngest DD.

  6. I have 3 pads that I’ve been trying out. I’d like to get more to use them full time. :)

  7. I would love to get some for my oldest dd.

  8. This is great, Natalie! We’ve sewn our own cloth pads for decades! Literally. So much cheaper. So much healthier (what’s in all that plastic and gel, anyway?). And there’s just a better feel overall. Yes, a bit more work, but it’s worth it. I always coupled my pads with a Keeper rather than a tampon. http://www.keeper.com/aboutkeeper.html
    Thanks for bringing up this subject. And glad to know we’re not the only wierd ones!

  9. I love mama cloths and have using my homemade ones for years. Winning these would be a great treat. Thanks for the giveaway.

  10. I love my cloth pads. I would never want to go back to pads honestly. The sticky backing, they move, the plastic feel, they also gave me rashes and well much unpleasantness. I have noticed that my periods are also less painful and less flow. I have heard there is a connection to what is in the mainstream pads. I have some pink daisy pads and love those but will check out there ones suggested as I need a slimmer width pad. :)

    I really want to check out the moon cup but I am working through vaginismus. So they would be painful right now. :)

  11. I have wanted to try cloth pads for light days and for my teenage daughters!

  12. I have to admit that I’ve been curious about these cloths for a while now and would definitely like to try one! After all the fabulous reviews I’ve heard from others it seems like it could be a good investment. Thanks for the post!

  13. I have some minky liners that I love for in between times and during pregnancy. Since my last pregnancy I cannot wear tampons. They are so painful. I would like to get a variety of Mama Cloth instead of having to use funky pads.

  14. I have read about these a couple of times now. I would be interested in trying them. Thank you people for posting about the diva cup. I will have to go check it out :)

  15. I want to try them out. I’m a little nervous about it because I live in an apartment that doesn’t have a washer and dryer. But, I could take them to the Laundromat.

    • They have wet bags in different sizes to keep the used pads separate (if you use them for your period) until washing day. With the liners on the in-between days – you can just throw them in a laundry basket with the rest of your clothes.

    • They have wet bags in different sizes to keep the used pads separate (if you use them for your period) until washing day. With the liners on the in-between days – you can just throw them in a laundry basket with the rest of your clothes. http://www.talulahbean.com/Small-Single-Zipper-Wetbag_p_13.html

  16. I have 6 cloth pantiliners and the most beneficial thing I noticed was how my flow lightened when using them most often.
    I would like more. I’d like to try some post-partum ones actually!

  17. I’ve been considering giving the Diva Cup and mama cloths a try. I’ll definitely have to check out this brand.

  18. Sure would love to try! I have 6 girls…..so with me, that makes 7 girls who will all be on the flow at some point. Need to figure out a greener solution, I also mean $$$!~

  19. Natalie, I know I’ve seen cloth tampons before… check out the Modest Maiden on Etsy, I think she sales them. I’ve always kinda been a tampon girl too, but I do have some cloth pads from MamaBear that I like. Would like to get more.

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