How to Use Reusable Cloth Pads: A Step-by-Step Guide
Loretta Pride • Updated on
Reusable cloth pads work like the disposables you already know, with two differences: they snap on instead of sticking, and they go in the wash instead of the bin. Here’s the whole routine, from choosing the right pad to wash day, plus what to do when a pad won’t stay put.
The short version: lay the pad in clean underwear with the soft side up. Fold the wings under the gusset and snap them closed. Change it when it feels full or damp. Then rinse it in cold water and wash it with your normal laundry.
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How do reusable period pads work?
A reusable pad is built in layers. On ours, the side against your skin is bamboo terry, a soft looped fabric a bit like a good towel. Under that, the pads have a polyester core that holds the flow. The back is waterproof PUL, so nothing reaches your underwear. Wings with a snap hold the pad in place, and every Topsy Daisy pad and liner has them.
In the US, the FDA classes reusable menstrual pads as Class I medical devices (product code NUQ), under the same rule as unscented disposable pads.
How to use a reusable pad, step by step
- Pick the right pad for your flow. Liners hold about 2 tampons’ or disposable liners’ worth, so they suit light days and backup. The Maxi Pad holds about 3 tampons’ or disposable pads’ worth, for moderate to heavy days. The Super Pad holds about 4 and covers your heaviest days and nights. Our chooser table has the lengths too.
- Soft side up. The bamboo terry side faces your body and the printed side faces your underwear. On the Super Pad and Extended Liner the soft side is dark, so stains don’t show. On the Maxi Pad and standard liners it’s light.
- Center it in your underwear. Line the pad up with the gusset, a little further back if you’re lying down for the night.
- Wrap the wings and snap. Fold both wings under the gusset and press the snap closed. You should feel it click.
- Change it when it feels full or damp. ACOG’s guidance for pads is at least every 4 to 8 hours, or sooner if it feels full or wet. Heavy days mean more changes.
How to keep a cloth pad from shifting
Sliding back is the complaint we saw most often about cloth pads, across every brand. Most of it comes down to fit:
- Underwear. A close fit with a fuller back works best. Thong and Brazilian cuts give a pad nothing to sit on, and loose underwear lets it drift.
- Length. A pad that’s too short for your flow runs out of room at the back. If that keeps happening, go up a size.
- Snaps. Make sure the snap is actually closed under the gusset, not sitting on the side of it.
Changing a reusable pad away from home
Fold the used pad in half with the soft side inside and pop it in a carry bag. Most of our sets come with one. Then put a fresh pad on the same way as at home. There’s no bin to hunt for.
How to store reusable pads
Used pads: give them a cold rinse, then keep them in a wet bag or a bowl until wash day. There’s no need to soak them.
Clean pads: make sure they’re fully dry first, then keep them somewhere dry, like a drawer or a basket in the bathroom. A pad that’s put away damp can start to smell.
Travelling: pack clean pads in one pocket or bag and used ones in a carry bag, then wash them together when you’re back.
How to wash and dry them
- Rinse in cold water straight after use. Cold keeps stains from setting.
- Wash with your normal laundry and your normal detergent.
- Skip bleach and fabric softener. Bleach weakens the fabric, and softener coats the fibers and cuts absorbency.
- Air dry, or tumble dry on low.
The full routine is on our wash and care page. If a pad ever smells off, see how to get smell out of reusable pads.
Do cloth pads work for a heavy flow?
Yes, as long as the pad is big enough and you change it often enough. The Super Pad is 12 inches long and holds about 4 tampons’ or disposable pads’ worth, and on heavy days you’ll change it more often than a liner. Some people pair a pad with a cup on their heaviest day as backup. More in our guide to the best pads for heavy flow.
One thing worth knowing: ACOG says that if you need to change a pad or tampon every 1 to 2 hours, or your period lasts more than 7 days, see your doctor.
How many reusable pads do you need?
Count how many pads you get through on a heavy day, then think about how often you do laundry. If you wash every two days, you need about two days’ worth, plus a spare or two while the last batch dries. Our sets are the simple way to start. Add a second set and the price drops automatically.
FAQ
How long can you wear a reusable pad?
ACOG’s guidance for pads is at least every 4 to 8 hours, or whenever it feels full or wet. A reusable pad is no different. On heavy days you’ll change more often.
Are reusable cloth pads sanitary?
They’re rinsed, machine-washed and fully dried between uses, which is what keeps them clean. The FDA classes them as Class I medical devices, under the same rule as unscented disposable pads.
How do reusable pads not leak?
Use the right size for your flow, snap the wings closed under the gusset, and wear underwear that fits close. When a cloth pad leaks, it’s usually too small for the flow or it has slid back.
Can you wear two pads at once?
You can, but going up a size is usually simpler and less bulky. If a Super Pad isn’t enough, a cup plus a liner or pad as backup is another option.
What are the downsides of reusable pads?
There’s a rinse after each use and one more thing in the laundry. You carry used pads home in a bag, and the upfront cost is higher than a pack of disposables.
Do reusable pads smell?
Not while you’re wearing one, because bamboo terry breathes. A cold rinse soon after use stops smells building before wash day. If one smells off after washing, add a splash of white vinegar to the next wash.
Which side of a cloth pad goes up?
The soft bamboo terry side faces your body, and the printed, waterproof side faces your underwear, with the snap underneath.
Do cloth pads stain?
Rinse them in cold water straight away and most stains never set. A faint mark that stays won’t change how the pad works. The Super Pad and Extended Liner have a dark absorbent side if you’d rather not see marks.
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