New to reusable cloth pads and not sure where to start? Here's everything you need to know — from choosing your first pad to wearing, changing, washing and reusing it.
What Are Reusable Cloth Pads?
Reusable cloth pads are washable period products designed to be used again and again.
They sit inside your underwear and absorb menstrual flow, just like a disposable pad. The difference is that instead of throwing them away after use, you wash, dry and reuse them.
At The Crimson Bat, our reusable cloth pads are handmade in the UK using a combination of soft fabrics and absorbent materials, with a range of different shapes, lengths and absorbency levels to choose from.
And, of course, plenty of gothic, spooky and alternative prints. 🦇
How Do You Wear a Cloth Pad?
Cloth pads are designed to sit in your underwear in much the same way as a disposable pad.
Place the pad with the printed side touching your skin and the fleece-backed side touching your underwear.
The wings fold underneath your underwear and fasten together using the snaps. This helps hold the pad securely in place.
How Do Reusable Cloth Pads Stay In Place?
Our cloth pads have snap fasteners on the wings.
The pad sits inside your underwear, with the wings wrapping underneath the gusset. Simply fold the wings around your underwear and fasten the snaps together.
The underside of the pad is made from a water-resistant fabric with a soft fleece backing, which helps create a little extra grip against your underwear and helps the pad stay in place while you wear it.
Once fastened, the combination of the snap fasteners and fleece backing helps keep the pad securely positioned.
Different pad shapes have slightly different snap widths, so it's worth checking the individual product details when choosing your pad.
What Size Cloth Pad Do I Need?
There isn't one “correct” size for everyone.
A good place to start is by measuring the disposable pad you currently use and checking the absorbency level you normally choose. While cloth pads aren't a like-for-like replacement for disposable pads, this can give you a useful starting point when choosing your cloth pad.
The best size depends on things such as:
- Your menstrual flow
- How long you want to wear the pad before changing
- The underwear you're wearing
- Your personal preference
- Whether you're using the pad during the day or overnight
Our pads are available in a range of lengths, from shorter liners through to longer pads designed for heavier flow and overnight use.
When choosing a pad, think about both length and absorbency.
A longer pad isn't necessarily more absorbent, so make sure you check both when choosing your size.
🦇 The Crimson Bat Tip: If you're unsure where to start, look at the disposable pad you already use. Its length and absorbency can give you a useful starting point when choosing a reusable option.
What Are the Different Absorbency Levels?
Our pads are available in different absorbency levels to suit different stages of your period.
Liner
For very light flow, spotting or everyday use when you don't need much absorbency.
Light
Suitable for lighter days and lighter menstrual flow.
Regular
A good everyday option for moderate flow.
Maxi
Designed for heavier flow and times when you need more absorbency. Suitable for overnight use.
Mighty
Our highest absorbency option, designed for very heavy flow and overnight use.
Mighty can also be a great option for postpartum bleeding, when you need extra coverage and absorbency.
Everyone's flow is different, so you may find that you prefer different absorbency levels at different points in your cycle.
🦇 The Crimson Bat Tip: You don't necessarily need to use the same absorbency throughout your period. Having a selection can make it easier to choose the right pad for lighter and heavier days.
How Often Do I Need to Change a Cloth Pad?
This will depend on your flow and the absorbency of the pad you're wearing.
There isn't a set number of hours that applies to everyone. You should change your pad when it feels like it needs changing, just as you would with any other period product.
A cloth pad should never be worn for more than 12 hours. Even if your pad doesn't feel full, it should be changed within this time to help maintain good hygiene.
If you're finding that a pad is becoming saturated quickly, you may need to change more frequently or choose a higher absorbency level.
What Do I Do With a Used Cloth Pad?
Once you've finished using your pad, you'll need somewhere to put it until you're ready to wash it.
At home, you can store your used pads dry in a wet bag or a suitable bucket until wash day.
When you're away from home, a wet bag is a handy option for storing used pads until you get home.
There's no need to soak your used pads between changes and washing. Simply store them dry until you're ready to wash them.
For more detailed washing and care instructions, see our Cloth Pad Care Guide.
Can I Use Cloth Pads Away From Home?
Absolutely.
Reusable cloth pads can be used when you're out and about just like any other period product.
A matching cloth pad wrapper is a handy way to carry a clean pad with you. Simply place your clean pad inside the wrapper before you head out.
When you're ready to change, take the clean pad from the wrapper and place your used pad back inside instead.
If you're only going to be away from home for a short time, you might choose to take one or two pads in their matching wrappers.
If you need to take several pads with you, a wetbag may be a better option for carrying multiple pads and storing your used ones until you get home.
🦇 The Crimson Bat Tip: A wrapper is great for carrying a clean pad, while a wetbag is useful when you need to carry several pads or store multiple used pads.
How Do I Wash Reusable Cloth Pads?
Washing reusable pads is easier than you might think.
For your initial rinse cycle, we recommend using cold water. This helps prevent menstrual stains from setting into the fabric.
After the initial rinse, wash your pads as part of your normal washing routine at your usual temperature, up to a maximum of 40°C.
Avoid fabric softener and bleach, as these can negatively affect the fabrics and absorbent layers, potentially reducing their performance and shortening their lifespan.
There's no need to soak your pads or rinse them before storing. Dry store your used pads until wash day.
For more detailed information, including strip washing and what to do if your pads aren't coming out as clean as expected, see our Cloth Pad Care Guide.
What About Stains?
It's completely normal for reusable cloth pads to develop some staining over time.
A stain doesn't mean your pad isn't clean.
If you'd like to help remove staining, you can use a stain remover of your choice either during the rinse cycle or as a spot treatment.
If you're using a stain remover for the first time, always test it on a small, inconspicuous area of the pad first to make sure it doesn't affect the fabric or print.
How Do I Dry My Cloth Pads?
Air drying is the preferred method for your Crimson Bat cloth pads.
Hang your pads somewhere with good airflow and allow them to dry completely before storing them.
They can also be tumble dried on a low heat setting if needed. However, regular tumble drying can place additional wear on the fabrics and stitching and may reduce the overall lifespan of your pads.
Can I Use Cloth Pads Overnight?
Yes.
Longer pads with higher absorbency can be particularly useful overnight, depending on your flow and sleeping position.
Our longer pad lengths provide additional front and back coverage, while Maxi and Mighty absorbencies provide higher levels of absorbency for overnight use.
As everyone's body and flow are different, you may need to experiment a little to find the length and absorbency combination that works best for you.
🦇 The Crimson Bat Tip: Don't automatically assume you need the longest pad available. Think about both the coverage you want and the absorbency you need.
How Many Reusable Pads Do I Need?
There's no single number that works for everyone.
The number of pads you'll need depends on things such as:
- How heavy your flow is
- How often you want to change your pad
- How frequently you want to wash them
- Whether you want enough pads to last your entire period
If you're just starting out, you don't have to buy everything at once.
Many people start with a small selection of different lengths and absorbencies, see what works for them and gradually build their collection.
You might find that you prefer certain:
- Lengths
- Absorbency levels
- Pad shapes
- Fabrics
- Prints
And with all those alternative prints to choose from, collecting them can be part of the fun. 🦇
Are Reusable Cloth Pads Comfortable?
Many people find reusable cloth pads comfortable to wear, particularly because they're made from soft, washable fabrics.
However, comfort is very personal.
The right shape, size, fabric and underwear can all make a difference.
That's why we offer different pad shapes and lengths — so you can find what works best for you.
Are Reusable Cloth Pads Suitable for Everyone?
Reusable cloth pads can be used by many people, but everyone's needs and preferences are different.
They're an option rather than something you have to use.
You can also use reusable cloth pads alongside other period products. For example, you might use them on lighter days, overnight or at home while using another product at other times.
There's no rule saying you have to use reusable pads for your entire period.
Find what works for you.
What If I'm Nervous About Trying Them?
That's completely understandable.
Trying something new — especially something as personal as a period product — can take a little getting used to.
You don't have to change everything at once.
Why not start with one or two pads, see how you get on, and go from there?
Once you've got used to how they feel, how to change them and how you prefer to wash them, you can decide whether reusable cloth pads are right for you.
🦇 The Crimson Bat Tip: You don't have to get everything right on your first try. Start small, see what works and build from there.
Ready to Give Reusable Cloth Pads a Try?
Reusable cloth pads don't have to be complicated.
Wear them. Change them. Wash them. Reuse them.
Choose the shapes, lengths, absorbencies and prints that work for you — and build your collection as you go.
And if you're looking for something a little less ordinary...
You've come to the right place. 🦇
Still Have Questions?
If there's something you're still wondering about, take a look through The Bat Files or our Cloth Pad Care Guide.
And if you can't find the answer you're looking for, get in touch — we're always happy to help.
The Crimson Bat
Uniquely Irregular