Reusable vs Disposable Sanitary Pads
Thinking about dipping your toe into the world of reusable period pads but wondering whether making the switch is really worth it?
Whatever period product you decide to use is down to you but finding out as much as you can about the different reusable and disposable options is always a good idea. Of course, you don’t have to stick to just one period product; you can swap from disposables to reusables, depending on your flow and your everyday plans.
To help you decide whether reusable sanitary pads are right for you, we’ve pulled together a few pros and cons of both reusable and disposable pads.
WHY ARE REUSABLE PADS GOOD?
- REUSABLE PERIOD PADS SAVE MONEY
After a one-off cost, reusable period pads can be a great money-saver in the long run, trust us! It is estimated that the average person spends £10 per month on disposable period products over their lifetime…that’s a lot of money.
One of the best things about our NORA reusable period pads is that they can last up to 10 years and save you money in the long term.
- REUSABLE PERIOD PADS ARE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY
Did you know, one person will use an average of 12,000 sanitary products throughout their lifetime? And one pack of disposable pads can contain as much plastic as 4 plastic carrier bags? That’s a lot of single-use plastic going to landfill every day, especially when it can take up to 500 years for the plastic to degrade.
Unfortunately, it’s not just our landfills. Our seas and marine life are also affected. Shockingly, disposable period products are the fifth most common item found on Europe’s beaches. It really puts into perspective just how polluting disposable pads are, doesn’t it?
Switching to reusable period pads is a great way to help the planet as they can be washed over and over again, up to 150 times!
- REUSABLE PERIOD PADS ARE BETTER FOR YOUR HEALTH
Have you ever thought about what disposable sanitary pads are made from? If not, you’ll be shocked to find out that disposable pads can contain known carcinogens, allergens, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals. These chemicals can irritate your skin and unbalance your PH.
Our reusable products contain no nasty substances and no single use plastic. Our pads allow your skin to breathe, avoiding odours and bacteria. A quick change every 4-6 hours is all that’s needed.
- REUSABLE PERIOD PADS ARE COMFORTABLE AND PERFORM
Our reusable pads (and panty liners) have been designed for comfort and performance so you can have a worry-free period and the confidence to carry on with your everyday!
- Contoured slim fit: Like disposables, our pads are designed with a contoured shape to mimic the curves of your body for comfort.
- Leak-free binding: For ultimate leak protection.
- Absorbent Core: Super absorbency for a leak-free period.
- Popper fastening: Keeping your pad firmly in place pad, with no sticky wings or plastic.
- Five different pad sizes to suit you and your flow: Liner (light period/daily use), Light (light periods), Moderate (moderate period), Heavy (heavy period) & Maxi (heavy period and postpartum bleeding).
OK, BUT WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES OF REUSABLE PADS?
We could shout about how brilliant reusable pads are all day but there are some barriers that can put people off from switching to reusables.
- INITIAL COSTS
Although reusable period pads are cheaper overall, the one-off upfront cost can make it difficult to switch to reusables straight away.
Remember, it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. If you want to try reusables, but don’t want to commit to a Reusable 3 pack or a Reusable try me pack, why not buy a single reusable pad? Simply swapping out your night-time disposable for a reusable pad can build your confidence and help the environment too – win, win!
- THE FEAR OF WASHING
Once a disposable sanitary pad gets thrown in the bin, that’s it! Whereas a reusable pad needs a bit more TLC. To keep your pads in top condition, you’ll need to rinse your pad in cold water as soon as you can after use, pop it in our period pad bag, and wash it within 48 hours.
A lot of reusable pad converts talk about their initial fear of washing reusable period pads. However, within a few months of wearing the pads they had the confidence to use reusables out and about.
- BUYING CONVENIENCE
You may have noticed that there aren’t many reusable period pads stocked on your local supermarket shelves (we’re working on it!)…so if you need an emergency pad, disposables are the easiest to get your hands on.
Remember, once you’ve tried them and built your stash of reusable pads, you can easily store your fresh pads in a waterproof bag ready to use, so you can avoid that mad panic if your period starts unexpectedly.
The decision is yours, but we would definitely encourage you to give reusable pads a try! Find out more about switching to reusables here.
