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Eliminating Disposable Stuff
Over the last few weeks, as I wrote about making cloth diapers and reusable nursing pads, I’ve had lots of people comment that I might also want to make/buy reusable menstrual pads. Hmmm. Not something I had ever considered before, but hey - we can all change. I change and wash cloth diapers all day - a few days a month with washable pads ought to be doable.
I came across this website, which not only has a ton of resources with info on making your own reusable pads, but it’s also a darn good cause - helping get these supplies (which we totally take for granted here in the US) to girls in Africa so that they don’t have to miss school during their period. Any sort of grass roots support for Africa is always close to my heart. So not only can we use the multitude of patterns on the site to make our own pads, we can also make some to donate to girls in Africa. This could be a great way to practice with my sewing machine…
You lost me on this one.
Some things are just better off “new” each time. Just my $0.02.
June 26th, 2008 at 11:55 am
Have you thought of trying a Diva Cup? I just got mine a few months ago… and I love it! Not disposable, and it will last for years!
June 26th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
I just made the switch (just for pantiliners right now) but I LOVE them and like you said, I’m washing the diapers anyway. I didn’t make my own, but I have a backlog of sewing projects, so I just went to someone else!
June 26th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
ps. I tried the diva cup, but couldn’t really figure it out. I’m sure I’d get the hang of it eventually… But I’m afraid it’ll be awhile as I am expecting and it took 15 mos post partum to need it last time!
June 26th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Yaay for you! Just wait till you try them… I was a skeptic at first, but from the moment I put it on it was heaven.
They are sooo soft, not like the crunchy paper/plastic ones. I have a Diva Cup as well. Initially I had planned on using the Diva Cup, and cloth pads as back-up. But I found the Diva cup to be a bit of a nuisance, and I really liked just using the pads, so I made a few more, and stuck to those. I have a couple of posts on my blog about the ones I’ve made, if you want to see pictures.
http://onpurposeliving.blogspot.com/search/label/Cloth%20Pads
I also think the Goods for Girls is a great idea. I thought about doing it before but never got around to it…maybe it’s time I gave it some more thought. Thanks!
Alissa
June 26th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
I use a Keeper (like a Diva cup). I love it. I love thinking of all the money and paper waste I have saved over the years.
June 26th, 2008 at 4:51 pm