Stop! I see you there trying to run away from this post! Before you go in terror at least hear me out.
About a year ago I first heard about cloth pads. My first reaction was, YUCK! Why would you want to have to deal with such a thing? But the idea still fascinated me so I still looked into it and was amazed at the info that I found. As I wrote about in the article, Naturalizing Your Feminine Hygiene Routine, here are some of the things I discovered about cloth pads:
- Cloth pads(or at least the ones you should be buying!) are made with no chemicals and you can even get some with no dyes.
- Cloth pads remove the risk of TSS(Toxic Shock Syndrome) since you aren’t putting any chemicals into your body.
- Some women find reduction in length or heaviness of periods, or reduced cramps, clotting, ect while using cloth vs regular pads.
- Since fabric is more breathable than plastic, using cloth reduces your risk of rashes or infections.
Those reasons were too good for me not to give it a try. So I started out by buying Glad Rags. They were expensive but my co-op carried them and they claimed to last 5 years when taken care of so that was worth the expense. The first wash I put them through they shrunk like crazy and got all twisted up. They are still usable but are not in very good shape. I then went to Lunapads. They were a little more expensive but if I had to pick a store boughten pad that I liked the best it would be these. They did not shrink and I liked the fabric they were made out of.
But then I got really brave and decided it was time to make my own. And I’m here to show you how you can do it too! If you have some scrap flannel and some ok skills with a sewing machine (you could also sew these by hand) you can make a simple cloth pad.
Supplies you need:
- Flannel (not very much, at least ¼ yard in 2 colors will make you a couple pads)
- Sewing machine
- Thread
- Measuring Tape
- Scissors
- Cloth Pad Liner Pattern
First you will need to trace around your pattern on the fabric. You can use a pen or a fabric pencil or whatever you have on hand.
Cut out two of each of the patterns.
Turn the fabric inside out and sew the liner around the edges. Go around the entire thing leaving no openings. Do the same for the wings of the pad.
Snip a hole in one side of both the wings and the pad.
Use this to turn the fabric right side out. Do this for both wings and pad then iron each of them.
Make sure to put the sides with the holes together so you won’t be able to see them in the finished pad.
Sew the pad onto the wings.
Now for a closure…if you don’t want to invest much in the pads or you don’t plan on making many of them you can just use Velcro or a button. Otherwise invest in a snapper tool and put snaps on the pad to keep it attached. (I used plastic snaps like the ones they make for homemade cloth diapers)
That’s all there is to it! It takes me only about 20 minutes from start to finish to make a pad so it’s hardly any time spent on something that will save you a lot of money!
A few tips on making cloth pads:
- The cheaper flannel that you buy the shorter life of the pad. Sometimes it worth spending a little more on a quality fabric so you get more use out of it. I have found plenty of great flannels in the remnants bin at fabric stores! I would shy away from the Walmart flannel.
- MAKE SURE your flannel is 100% cotton! Artificial fabrics will cause sweating. Gross.
- Make sure to wash the fabric first to avoid shrinkage in the final product.
- To care for your cloth pads, make sure to wash them right away after use. They can be rinsed off first and then washed right in with your regular load of clothes. Do not use scented laundry detergent on cloth pads or it will irritate your skin.
Don't want to make your own cloth pads? You can buy them in our Prairie Treasures store!
Have you ever tried cloth pads? Do you think you will try making them?
Merissa is a born and raised country girl. She loves being a wife and homemaker and strives to give her family the best with whatever she has! She started Little House Living in 2009 to share her love for all things simple, frugal, and natural.
Learn more about Merissa and why she started Little House Living.
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{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }
I have been using Luna Pads for a few years now. I love using them and have been wanting to make my own for a while. The Luna Pads have some sort of waterproof liner inside them that prevents leak throughs. What type of material would you recommend for an inner liner? I have really heavy periods and wouldn’t trust just four layers of flannel to hold back the flood gates… so to speak
This pattern works best for just a liner type of pad, I’ve got one I’m working on for more of a day pad. You would want to put some kind of absorbent layer plus a layer of PUL, which is the waterproof fabric that you make cloth diapers with.
What a great tutorial. I am no longer in need of pads, but if I were, Iwould give this a try!
Joining with you in this pioneering spirit, here’s my version: http://mumtopia.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/menstruation-for-meanies.html
Your pads look lovely – better results than mine – must have another try!
A really inexpensive way to get the 100% cotton flannel (if you don’t already have an old shirt of hubby’s or a sheet that needs a new life) is to go to the thrift store and shop in their bedding section and pick a sheet that has a pattern you wouldn’t mind using for pads. They are super cheap. You might even have so much extra you would like to make some for your friends or daughter(s).
GREAT tip! Love this!
I appreciate you sharing this! My girls and I use cloth and believe in them so much that we’ve started selling them. I feel that no matter how someone gets started using them, it’s just important to make the change
http://www.etsy.com/shop/cozycloth?ref=si_shop
http://myworld.ebay.com/cozycloth
Thanks for showing how to make these and the reasons you should use them!
What a great tutorial and I just got a sewing machine for Christmas. I’ll have to give this a try
I’ve ordered some on Etsy to try. I also ordered the sample pack from Telulah Bean. I loved those pads! I was skeptical about trying them. Awhile back my husband told me I should be using them. I thought gross! I have to say that I love my cloth pads!! It really isn’t gross. I have started making my own as well. I will be starting to make the post-partum ones; I’m due in June. I have recommended them to my friend and her daughter. They like them as well. So much more comfortable than plastic!!!
I have been using some off of esty for years
I am extremely allergic to any type of commercial store-bought pads, tamponds, panty liner ,etc. I get a bad rash that spreads down my legs that is painful and itchy. I delt with it for 3 years before I found cloth pads. I was desperate because my skin literally looked liked it was peeling off in chunks. As soon as I switched I have never had any problem at all!!!!!!!:) thanks for the great tutorial . This looks like the easiest one i have so far . I have made some before but I use zorb between the flannel layers. It’s extremely absorbent and I never leak with it. You have to be careful with the lined pads because they are normally lined with pul and that can cause yeast infections because of decreases air flow:)
Oh my gosh – this is so crazy! I was just yesterday putting my first effort into making my own pads, but I was having problems making my own pattern! I was using this tutorial — http://www.tinybirdsorganics.com/organiccotton/clothpads.html — that used terry (towels) as the pad layer, and as I was cutting them, they shedded over everything!! I am really going to try yours. Thanks so much!
Let me know how it turns out for you!
I no longer have periods, but when I did, I loved using the flannel “Glad Rags” pads; it was so much more comfortable, even though I had ready access to free pads by using coupons. Things to remember are: you want to initially rinse the pads out in COLD water, not hot. Cold water gets out the blood, but hot water sets it in. Also, after rinsing, pour hydrogen peroxide on it and let sit for a while. After that, I’d usually rinse again before adding to my regular wash. And I usually use hot water to wash my clothes despite the usual advice of using only warm or cold; I like to try to kill some germs, too, while washing clothes.
Anyway, if I’d a pattern and directions, I would have liked to make my own pads, and I love Andrea’s idea of buying something flannel at a thrift store! Most new fabric has chemicals in it, such as formaldehyde, in it, so better to get a fabric that has been through the wash before, and then wash it again since you don’t know the history of that particular flannel.
Great tips, thanks for sharing!
So glad you shared. What do women think their ancestors did before disposable anything? My mom learned how to make “rags” from her grandmother. I am only 48 folks so that is not too long ago. Not a bad idea to at least talk to younger women about these options as “disposable pads” might be scarce in an emergency.
Just started sewing my own because I can’t affored to buy them and I can’t wait to try them out I use 4 layers of terry in the center because Zorb is to expensive and the water proof fabric is PUL and I also use quilters cotton for botton or top but I like the minkey top a little better but e/w urs look awsome thanx for sharing
Great post, Merissa! I’ve been wanting to make my own pads for a while, but I use tampons, so I’d only use these at night.
Where did you get your snap tool? That looks like it might be a good purchase.
I got mine from Hobby Lobby. I noticed you can also get the same one on Amazon for a little cheaper…. http://amzn.to/X7NZ8H
How about adding a layer (or 2) of microfleece inside for extra protection? Good idea or bad?
That’s the same idea behind a color diaper so it might work. You would want to add in a layer or PUL (waterproof) fabric though as the microfiber would wick away the liquids and you wouldn’t want it to leak.
I’ve gotten mine off of Etsy, but it would be fun to make them. For the ladies that like their tampons, have you tried a menstrual cup as a non-disposable option? (no TSS worry). I saw that they’re mentioned on this site. LOVE mine (I use a Lady cup, which I like better than my Diva cup), and the thinner cloth pads work great as a backup. I wish I’d known about these alternatives sooner, so thanks for getting the info out!
I use homemade cloth pads in conjunction with a diva cup. I had TSS twice when I was younger and trying to use tampons. I have had no issues with the Diva cup or the cloth pads.
Anti pill fleece works good as a backer to keep it from leaking through. It is less “slippy” and more breathable than PUL, although it is a little bit thicker. It’s what I use, and it works great for me.
Hey Merissa,
How much fabric do you use per pad? I want to buy enough fabric for 92 girls to be able to make their own pad at an all girls sleep away camp this summer! Trying to figure out how much fabric to order (i.e. how many yards).
Any help with this would be appreciated! Thanks.
Good question….I’m not sure I guess, I would say that 1/2 yard of flannel should make around 4 pads. It could be more though. Sounds like a fun project!
Thanks! I think the girls will love it
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Thanks for sharing your pattern! I’ve been using cloth pads made by a company local to me (back when I lived in Halifax) for the last several years and yesterday made my own out of some scrap, although, it didn’t occur to me to use flannel for the whole thing! That WOULD be comfy! I used a mix of flannel and terry cloth ^^