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This Earth Day Replace your Pads with a GladRag

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When Earth Day comes around every year, everyone tries to conserve in one way or another, perhaps by not leaving the lights on in a room, or by washing dishes instead of throwing out multiple Dixie plates. Well what about tossing out the Always when its that time of the month, and instead replacing it with GladRags? GladRags are reusable pads for that time of the month or they can be used in between as a pantyliner.  We are talking pioneer type living here, as these pads are made of cotton and designed to be washed before using again.

I don’t know about you, but I’m all about throwing that sucker in the garbage immediately after use. However the company does have a point that reusable pads do save the Earth from the tons of pads and tampons that get tossed out every day. I bet you never thought about what pads and tampons are doing to the environment before, have you?

The GladRag Pantyliner comes complete with wings and snaps to hold in place and for comfort. The cotton is actually quite thick and seems like it would hold a significant amount of excretions.

Many women do suffer from discomfort from the materials used in pads, pantyliners and tampons. So perhaps for those who don’t mind doing some unique loads of wash, GladRags are the way to go. That said, I’m pretty sure that my laundry service wouldn’t be too thrilled if I threw this in with my weekly pickup. So for now, I’m gonna have to pass on GladRags

GladRags range in price from $11.99 to $17.99 and come in an assortment of colors and patterns, because if you have to wash these things, they might as well as look pretty when clean…

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8 Comments

  1. Oddly enough, before the invention of disposable pads, this is likely very close to what women used. I really dont see much environmental harm with tampons if they are the cardboard rather than plastic applicator or pads if they dont have a ton of plastic backings.

  2. My whole house has switched to cloth washable pads including gladrags and some others.  My first concern was washing, I mean who wants to mess with something like that for 3 women? We have a simple and hassle free method using 2 soaking containers (big plastic ones I salvaged from costco snacks). The first has cold water and a natural enzyme disinfectant (keeps smells down and starts the cleaning process by breaking down the blood). This pail I keep ever ready so you just drop you pad in and replace the lid. The second, when the first is getting pretty full or needs dumped (I only let it sit for 2-3 days max) I add hot water and an oxygen bleach free cleaner. I dump the first pail in the sink and wearing gloves I ring them out and place them in the 2nd pail. I then let it sit until I am ready for a load of regular laundry (24-36 hours later usually). To wash I dump and ring them back out and put them in a mesh bag and toss them in my regular wash. So why did we switch? The environmental reason is good but that is not why. We were all sensitive to the materials use to make disposables. My youngest is 12, she has a horrible time once a month and LOVES  her gladrags. She uses the night pads which saves her bed at least a couple of times each month. She is back to her regular silly little kid self and you can see that she sleeps better knowing she is protected. She also reports that they are so soft and comfy that she would never use anything else 🙂 Thought you might appreciate the feedback. Give reusables a try, you just might be surprised at the difference in them.

  3. Separate laundry?  Why?  I throw my cloth pads in with my normal laundry after letting them soak in cold water.

  4. I’ve been using Goddess Moons, which are similar to GladRags but made by an independent, woman-owned company, for many years now. (http://www.goddessmoons.com/)

    When I began using them, I imagined I would have a harder time washing and handling them than I actually did. However, from the very first time, I found that not only was it not a big deal, but that I preferred it. 

    Primarily, I have quite literally saved tens of thousands of dollars from not buying disposable tampons and pads. Secondly, I am more in tune with my monthly flow. Third, choosing the different patterns each day makes me happy. Fourth, it did take a few monthly cycles to get into a “rhythm” of cleaning the pads, yet I found that simply soaking them in cold water or cold water with some Dr. Bronner’s castile soap, did a fine job of prepping them for washing – which I do by hand when I took a shower. 

    This method is so cost-effective, that a few family and friends have “converted” as well. 

  5. I don’t do a separate load of laundry.  When I’m finished with a Glad Rag I put it in a basin to soak.  You can soak them for as long as 24 hours before changing the water.  After a day I take them out, rinse quickly then toss them in the wash with a load of towels.  They come out clean, fresh and ready for next month.  

  6. Gladrags are easier, cheaper, more fun and more (i daresay) environmentally friendly than single-use pads. Even if pads and tampons don’t have heavy plastic wrapping (which they usually do), the materials that they are made of just don’t degrade very easily. They are toxic to your body, and pollute the environment.
    Last but not least, whenever i put on a gladrag, I know that it’s CLEAN! What do you know about the pad you got from the store, other than that it’s probably been bleached with.. well bleach.. to look clean?
    So much

  7. I find cloth much more comfortable than disposable.  They aren’t hard to clean (I was concerned about that, too).  I just soak them with a little laundry soap (I have a specific bowl just for that), and then wash them with my towels on “sanitary” setting.  I’m very happy with them.  But even more so, I LOOOOVE the menstrual cup!