Once you have become used to washing nappies, you are only a step away from becoming used to the idea of washing cloth sanitary pads. Many women suffer from rashes when using disposable pads, but carry on regardless, as they think there is no decent alternative. In fact, they can feel the same benefits as babies who suffer rashes in some disposable brands by using cloth. It is no more difficult to wash these pads, than it is to wash nappies. I put mine in with the nappies in fact. The cotton is beautifully soft and comfortable, and you can save plenty more money this way too. They are no trouble when out and about, just pop the used one in a plastic bag, and bring home, the way you do with a nappy. Or you could use washables while at home, and disposables while out if you feel more comfortable about that.

If you prefer to use internal sanitary protection, then we have the mooncup, a little silicon cup that catches the flow inside. 

If you are wondering why you should use washables, all the same arguments apply as to the nappies. Although a sanitary pad is smaller, and you appear to use less than nappies (only once a month after all), bear in mind that you will be using them for around 30-35 or so years of your life, (depending partly on how many children you have of course), and there are many more women of childbearing age in the world at any one time than there are babies. All disposable pads have an element of plastic in them, some on both sides. Many of the pads end up in the bin, therefore eventually in the landfill sites, and others that get flushed (which isn't supposed to happen but does), end up blocking sewerage systems and also out in the sea and eaten by sea creatures. Spare a thought for the sea fisherman who commented to Radio 4's Woman's Hour, that he picks up rather unsavoury items from the sea a little too often! Some estimates put sanitary pad waste volume at the same or greater than nappy waste in landfill sites (there are many more women using sanitary wear for a much longer period of time, even if it is only intermittent, than babies using nappies)

Washing is easy. If you don't like to handle soiled pads, then use a nappy net in your bucket, that you can then leave the pads in while they wash in the machine. A small nappy bucket (on the accessories page) is ideal for these. Just pop the soiled pads in the bucket with cold salt water until you are ready to wash. Then wash at 40 degrees for the coloured or up to 60 degrees if you prefer for the unbleached. As with babies, non bio detergent is best, but you can use biological if you prefer and it doesn't irritate you. The other option is to soak the pads in warm water and a little Biotex for about 1/2 an hour before you wash, the bio should then be washed out completely. (Enzymes in biological detergent are not bad for the environment as such. There are some issues surrounding the GM production of some enzymes, but they are actually naturally occurring substances, hence the name biological, you have them in your own body and they break down quite easily in nature . The main reason for avoiding them when washing nappies and possibly pads is that they can cause skin irritation if not thoroughly rinsed out.)