Pad FAQs

How many pads do I need to buy?

Most women do well with two days' supply of pads. Work out the types and amounts of disposable pads you would use and what level of absorbency you need. For example, if you have a normal or light flow you might buy two night-time pads, four to six regular pads and a couple of light pads or panty liners. If you have a couple of heavy days then you'd want two night-time pads, at least two days' worth of super pads and some regular pads.

How absorbent are they?

Our pads are of similar absorbency to disposable pads (liners, regular, super and night-time). But if you usually wait until you've bled through to the plastic layer in your disposable pads you'll need to change your cloth pads a little more often or choose a thicker pad.

Can I use them right away?

Before first use wash your pads TWICE in hot soapy water using something like washing-up liquid to remove any dressing on the fabric and to ensure the inner layers are nice and absorbent.

How do I wash Moon Pads?

After you use each pad put it into a small lidded bucket of cold water to soak. An ice-cream container is perfect; if you don't have one go and buy some ice cream, eat it, and away you go.

When you’re ready to do a load of washing just empty the soak water into the garden or down the drain, give the pads a cold water rinse and throw them in with your normal load (cold wash – hot water will set stains). Line-dry them and they’re ready to re-use. Clean, sanitary and ready to roll.

Over 90% of women find that just the cold water soak removes all stains, however depending on your body chemistry you might end up with some marks. Don't panic. Experiment with adding washing soda, lemon juice, milk, salt or a commercial pre-wash product to the soak water.

DO NOT use chlorine bleaches. And don't iron waterproof pads or put them in the tumble dryer or they'll melt.

How long do Moon Pads last?

Each pad has a life expectancy of at least five years; some customers report theirs are still going strong after 10 years. Trials have shown that cloth pads can be used more than 200 times. That's a lot of disposable pads that won't be going into landfill or the ocean. Think of the money you'll save as well.

How do I dispose of my cloth pads?

When it's time to say goodbye to your cloth pad just cut off the press-studs and the thread, remove the waterproof lining (if your pad has one), cut the fabric into strips and bury it, put it into your compost or feed it to your worms.

Where do they come from? Not from sweat-shops, I hope!

Moon Pads are hand-made in beautiful Tasmania. No-one sweats at all while making them (it’s quite cold here). They’re sewn with care and sent with love :) Enjoy using them and tell us what you think.

Cloth menstrual pads? Eeeeeeeeww! Aren't they unhygienic and disgusting?

Well no, they're not – although that's still a common response. When you think about it, though, they're the same as what you already use except you soak, wash and reuse them for years rather than throwing them into landfill.

Your period is a normal function. It's only big business that tells us we need 'hygiene' or 'sanitary' products that come all covered in plastic and are bleached super-white. As if you're using them to treat a medical emergency!

Cloth pads don't smell (commercial pads contain super-absorbent chemicals which cause the yucky smell when they come into contact with your period). They're as absorbent as the disposable products you're used to.

All that being said, if you can't cope with the idea of cloth pads that's OK. We're all different. Some women don't like any kind of pads. That's why we also sell menstrual cups as alternatives to tampons.