1. What are the reusable cloth liners and pads are made of?
All Tinkerbox pads and liners are made from 100% cotton fabric: a pretty printed cotton that faces your underwear, and a soft unbleached cotton that touches your skin.
Material is important: cotton is an absorbent and breathable natural fibre, which means that it feels more comfortable and breathable, less moist and warm, when you're wearing it. In fact, the most common feedback customers give about the liners is that it feels like they're wearing nothing extra at all.
DID YOU KNOW that bacteria tend to multiply less quickly where air flows? More moving air means less moisture and heat. Disposable pads with plastic or reusable pads made from synthetic fabrics restrict air flow. Natural fabrics like cotton are absorbent and brethable.
2. How absorbent are they? Will they leak?
Most of us describe our menstrual flow qualitatively; what's heavy for you might be light for me. Regardless of flow, waiting too long between changes and may stain the gusset of your underwear because there isn't a waterproof plastic layer in the Tinkerbox pads or liners.
You'll get rhythm of your period, and when to change your pad will become second nature in no time.
DID YOU KNOW that a waterproof plastic layer doesn't guarantee no-leaks – "hello side-leaks"? Menstrual flow can slide when we move. Good news – cloth pads absorb downwards so flow won't tend to slide back like it does on a disposable pad. No one will know.
3. How do I handle pad changes when I'm out?
Simply pop your used pad into a pouch. You can use a wet bag but it's not necessary because blood is viscous – it isn't watery. Blood may smudge onto the pouch but just wash it out. It's better to have a few pouches that you can wash and dry interchangeably at the end of the day, than one waterproof bag that you forget to clean.
DID YOU KNOW that whether a reusable or disposable pad, we should change our pads every ~4 hours? This is especially important in the heat and high humidity.
4. How should I wash and care for my cloth pads?
Blood is full of proteins which bind together when heated, making them set fast into fabric, so resist the temptation use hot water. Soak used pads in cold water as soon as you can to rehydrate the blood; repeat till the water runs clear. For stubborn stains, try bleach-free oxygen stain remover, laundry stain stick, or salt. Launder as usual.
DID YOU KNOW that adding salt to water helps lift blood stains off fabric? Try 1-2 tablespoons of salt for ever litre of water. And remember – tepid tap water only.
5. I want to try them but I'm apprehensive. What should I do first?
Start with liners, then when you get the hang of using and washing them, move to cloth pads. When you're ready to try the pad, start with a smaller pad on lighter days (e.g., day 4) then move to heavier days the next cycle. Don't feel pressured to switch your entire period routine all at once; start with a minimum quantity and get more as needed. It's okay to use cloth pads on some day and not others too – every little helps .
DID YOU KNOW that it took me 6 months from after I fell in love with cloth liners before I mustered the courage to try cloth pads? And this was something I sewed. Don't stress about timings. You are in control of when and how you decide to embark on this journey.