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10 Best Reusable Pads in 2022 (Environmental Scientist-Reviewed)
Having a period can be pretty messy. On top of the cramps and mood swings, it’s frustrating to know that you spend so much money on chemical-laden pads every month only for it to go straight into a landfill! Luckily, there’s been a resurgence in reusable pads that are better for you, your wallet, and the environment.
But just like disposable pads, there are dozens of brands of reusable pads, and it can be hard to figure out what will work for you. In this article, we’ve also got a list of our 10 favorites to help you get started, including Highoh.'s Washable Charcoal Bamboo Cloth Menstrual Pads! And at the end, we’ll go over the different factors to look at when making your choice in our buying guide reviewed by a environmental health and safety scientist.
But just like disposable pads, there are dozens of brands of reusable pads, and it can be hard to figure out what will work for you. In this article, we’ve also got a list of our 10 favorites to help you get started, including Highoh.'s Washable Charcoal Bamboo Cloth Menstrual Pads! And at the end, we’ll go over the different factors to look at when making your choice in our buying guide reviewed by a environmental health and safety scientist.
- Last updated: 08-18-2022
Table of Contents
How to Choose a Reusable Pad – Buying Guide
Picking a reusable pad is, by nature, a very personal decision. So don’t forget to keep your individual needs in mind when looking at the options (even though there are a lot of good-looking brands that might distract you!).
Pick Materials Based on Where They Are in the Pad
Different fibers have different qualities, and to ensure that you’re getting the best functioning pad possible, pay attention to what materials the pad is made from, what purpose they serve, and where they are in the pad.
For Inner Materials, Look for Natural Cotton, Bamboo, or Hemp
Many people switch to reusable pads because of the irritating chemicals and synthetics in disposable pads. So, for the inner portion of the pad that touches you, it’s best to go with natural materials like cotton, bamboo fiber, or hemp.
Cotton is the easiest to find and also the cheapest, but bamboo fiber and hemp are a bit more absorbent and odor-resistant.
For Middle and Outer Materials, Synthetics May Be Necessary
While most pads use natural materials for the portions that touch your skin, they’ll use materials like microfiber and plastic-coated cloths for the middle absorbent layers and outer water-repellent layers. Microfiber is extremely absorbent, and plastic coatings prevent leakage.
For those looking to avoid synthetic materials altogether, keep an eye out for pads that state they are 100% cotton. Note, however, that you might be giving up a little absorbency for a more fully natural pad, and to prevent leakage on heavy days, a little bit of plastic coating might be necessary.
Pick the Right Absorbency and Length
Just like conventional pads, reusable pads are made with different absorbencies and lengths to accommodate different periods. When it comes to absorbency, most won’t tell you exactly how much liquid they can hold (but honestly, do you know how heavy your flow is in numbers?).
However, they will tell you the absorbency based on the normal conventions of light, normal, heavy, and such. As with disposable pads, you might need to get a few different sizes to cover you through the different stages of your period.
If You’re Less Comfortable With Blood, Find a Dark-Colored Pad
One of the hardest parts for a lot of people when deciding to switch to reusable pads is the idea of washing the blood out or having to wear a dirty-looking, stained pad.
Luckily for those who are uncomfortable with that thought, there are several reusable pads that come with a black or dark gray inner lining rather than white. While you’ll still probably be able to tell if it’s stained, it won’t be nearly as jarring and would be much easier to ignore than on a white pad.
Find a Pad That Comes With a Wet Pouch
Unlike disposable pads that you can just throw away basically anywhere (anywhere meaning any trash can), you're going to have to take your reusable pad back home with you if you need to change when you’re out and about.
Whether you decide to rinse it out first or just tuck it away, you’re going to need a waterproof pouch to carry it. Many reusable pads actually come with wet pouches, so if this is your first reusable pad and you don’t have a wet pouch yet, check to see if your pad comes with one.
10 Best Reusable Pads
Without further ado, here are our 10 favorite reusable pads. Remember that you’ll likely have to mix and match brands and styles to cater to each stage of your period!
We made our choices based on the points listed in the buying guide below, as well as reviewer comments when available.
| Image | 1  Highoh. | 2  Rael | 3  Pixie Cup | 4  think ECO | 5  Imse Vimse | 6  ReUseLife | 7  Langsprit | 8  Wegreeco | 9  Jobebe | 10  Love My |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Washable Charcoal Bamboo Cloth Menstrual Pad | Organic Cotton Reusable Cotton Pads | Soft Reusable Menstrual Pads | Organic Cotton Cloth Panty Liner Pads | Reusable Organic Cotton Menstrual Pads with Wings | Washable Cloth Menstrual Pads | Absorbent Reusable Sanitary Pads | Bamboo Reusable Sanitary Pads | Overnight Charcoal Bamboo Reusable Pads | Bamboo Fiber Menstrual Pads |
| Features | Leak-Proof and Slip-Proof Pads That Stay Secure | Fully Organic Cotton for Sensitive Skin | Soft and Absorbent Pads That Stay in Place | Organic and Breathable for Easy Rest | Organic Cotton Flannel for Breathable Light Days | Overnight Pads With Colorful Designs | Thick, Leak-Resistant, and Budget-Friendly Reusable Pads | Absorbent Pads With an Adjustable Fit | Super-Long, Super-Absorbent Overnighters | Extra-Long for Light Overnights |
| Price | $29.99 | $32.99 | $19.95 | $50.00 | $17.00 | $15.99 | $11.99 | $12.99 | $30.99 | $16.96 |
| Materials | Bamboo, PUL | Organic cotton, PUL coating | Bamboo, microfiber, PUL | Organic cotton, mulberry, PUL | Organic cotton, PUL | Charcoal bamboo, microfiber, waterproof PUL | Bamboo, microfiber, PUL | Bamboo, microfiber, PUL | Bamboo, microfiber, PUL | Bamboo fiber, microfiber |
| Absorbency | Medium to heavy | Light | Medium | Medium | Light | Moderate to heavy | Medium | Medium to heavy | Heavy | Light to medium |
| Length | 9 in. | 7.5 in. | 10 in. | 15.3 in. | 7.5 inches | 16 in. | 9.2 in. | 9.5 in. | 14 in. | 12 in. |
| Pad color | Gray | Brown | Black | White | White | Brown | Black | Black | Black | White |
| Wet pouch | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Link |
1
Highoh.Washable Charcoal Bamboo Cloth Menstrual Pad
6 pack
$29.99
| Materials | Bamboo, PUL |
|---|---|
| Absorbency | Medium to heavy |
| Length | 9 in. |
| Pad color | Gray |
| Wet pouch | Yes |
2
RaelOrganic Cotton Reusable Cotton Pads
3 pack
$32.99
| Materials | Organic cotton, PUL coating |
|---|---|
| Absorbency | Light |
| Length | 7.5 in. |
| Pad color | Brown |
| Wet pouch | No |
3
Pixie CupSoft Reusable Menstrual Pads
5 pack
$19.95
| Materials | Bamboo, microfiber, PUL |
|---|---|
| Absorbency | Medium |
| Length | 10 in. |
| Pad color | Black |
| Wet pouch | Yes |
4
think ECOOrganic Cotton Cloth Panty Liner Pads
5 pack, 2XL
$50.00
| Materials | Organic cotton, mulberry, PUL |
|---|---|
| Absorbency | Medium |
| Length | 15.3 in. |
| Pad color | White |
| Wet pouch | No |
5
Imse VimseReusable Organic Cotton Menstrual Pads with Wings
3 pack
$17.00
| Materials | Organic cotton, PUL |
|---|---|
| Absorbency | Light |
| Length | 7.5 inches |
| Pad color | White |
| Wet pouch | No |
6
ReUseLifeWashable Cloth Menstrual Pads
3 pack
$15.99
| Materials | Charcoal bamboo, microfiber, waterproof PUL |
|---|---|
| Absorbency | Moderate to heavy |
| Length | 16 in. |
| Pad color | Brown |
| Wet pouch | Yes |
7
LangspritAbsorbent Reusable Sanitary Pads
7 pack
$11.99
| Materials | Bamboo, microfiber, PUL |
|---|---|
| Absorbency | Medium |
| Length | 9.2 in. |
| Pad color | Black |
| Wet pouch | Yes |
8
WegreecoBamboo Reusable Sanitary Pads
5 pack
$12.99
| Materials | Bamboo, microfiber, PUL |
|---|---|
| Absorbency | Medium to heavy |
| Length | 9.5 in. |
| Pad color | Black |
| Wet pouch | Yes |
9
JobebeOvernight Charcoal Bamboo Reusable Pads
10 pack
$30.99
| Materials | Bamboo, microfiber, PUL |
|---|---|
| Absorbency | Heavy |
| Length | 14 in. |
| Pad color | Black |
| Wet pouch | No |
10
Love MyBamboo Fiber Menstrual Pads
6 pack
$16.96
| Materials | Bamboo fiber, microfiber |
|---|---|
| Absorbency | Light to medium |
| Length | 12 in. |
| Pad color | White |
| Wet pouch | Yes |
How to Keep Your Reusable Pads Clean and Stain-Free
While stains don’t affect the effectiveness or longevity of your pad, it can certainly feel a lot better to have stain-free pads. Before putting your pad into the laundry, wash it out with cold water. The important thing here is cold water–hot water will set the stain. If it seems like the stain might be a bit tough, treat it with hydrogen peroxide and let it sit for 5 minutes.
If you have enough pads to get you through the next batch of laundry, just put it into the hamper and wash it in the washing machine with the rest of your laundry. To wash by hand, just soak it overnight in a bucket with a touch of detergent, rinse, and hang it in the sun to dry the next day. Sunlight kills bacteria!
Stay in Control of Your Flow With These Products
You can get through this cycle! Just stock up on these supplies and you'll be back to normal in no time.
Buying Guide Reviewed by Environmental Health and Safety Scientist Gwen Lynn
Environmental Health & Safety Scientist
Gwen Lynn
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