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Cloth Menstrual Pads

FAQ s

Do New Moon Pads contain PFAS? (What are PFAS?)

No. Only 100% cotton fabrics are used for the pad tops and absorbency layering, and breathable Polartec barrier poly fleece (made from recycled soda bottles) is used for the leak resistant layering, the same fleece used in high end sportswear. Neither fabric is made with PFAS. Initial source manmade fabrics (synthetic fabrics not made from recycled products) such as Zorb or PUL are not used in New Moon Pads.


How long do New Moon Pads last?

New Moon Pads' cloth pad life expectancy is approximately 10 years under normal use in a regular pad rotation, estimated using a pad stash of 20 to 25 pads. One New Moon Pad replaces 200 disposable pads!


Are cloth menstrual pads hard to care for?

Not at all. Just toss them in with your regular cold water laundry. They don’t need to be washed separately, and there’s no need to pre-soak unless you want to.


Do I need to wash the pads before their first use and, if so, how many times?

Yes, pads need to be washed prior to their first use to remove any fabric sizing and maximize their absorbency. One wash should be fine and then they’re good to go.


Will regular laundering get them clean?

Absolutely.


Should pads be washed in hot or cold water?

Launder pads in cold water. Hot water can set blood stains and can actually damage the fabric if it's too hot, which would significantly decrease pad life expectancy. They clean just as well in cold water, and you save energy and money.


I’ve been told not to use fabric softener on cloth pads. Why is that?

Fabric softener coats fabric and decreases the absorbency factor, so it’s not recommended for items such as cloth menstrual pads and cloth diapers.


I travel a lot and worry about metal detectors and privacy. Do you have any suggestions?

New Moon Pads are made with poly resin KAM snaps, so there is no metal at all (metal detectors are one of the reasons I went with non-metal snaps). To discreetly carry extra pads, I suggest putting them in pad pouches in a makeup bag. Even if it's opened by the inspector, they usually don't dump it out, they just look inside, so they should be safe from other prying eyes. And if questioned, you can tell them they're makeup application/removal pads. :o)


Comfort is important to me. How comfortable are cloth pads compared to disposable pads?

Cloth pads vs disposable pads is like comparing soft flannel jammies to those awful scratchy paper gowns that doctors’ offices use. I don’t know about you, but I’ll take the soft flannel every time. New Moon Pads are so soft and comfortable, you’ll hardly even know you’re wearing one.


What about bulk? Are cloth menstrual pads bulkier than disposables?

Some brands can be, but not New Moon Pads. They’re designed to be highly absorbent while exceptionally trim, so they’re actually less bulky than disposable pads and most cloth pads on the market today. 


I hate the clammy feel of disposable pads. Do cloth pads feel the same way?

No. Cloth menstrual pads absorb moisture down into the fabric absorbency layers, giving you a cleaner, drier, more comfortable feeling. You may feel some degree of dampness depending on how long you wear the pad or the heaviness of your flow, but the flannel, cotton, and fleece (the main fabrics I use) are all breathable fabrics that keep you cool and comfortable without that sweaty, clammy feeling.


Is there much of an odour when using cloth menstrual pads?

Very little.  You’ll find cloth pads actually have a lot less (and different) odour than disposables. The chemicals and dioxins used in disposables take on an unpleasant odour when used that even perfumed disposables can’t cover. You don’t get this problem when using cloth. With cloth it’s more natural, not unpleasant at all.


Disposable pad manufacturers recommend changing pads every 4 to 6 hours. How long can you wear a cloth pad before you need to change it?

How often you change cloth pads depends on your flow at the time. With light flow, you can go for hours with panty liners all day, but if your flow is heavy, you would need to change them more frequently. You'll get used to being able to tell when a pad needs to be changed. Pads used for urinary incontinence will feel wetter and need to be changed out more frequently due to urine's thinner viscosity than blood. I recommend changing pads once they feel damp, as you get the benefit of the clean, soft comfort of a fresh pad. The charm is that it doesn't cost any extra to change them as often as you would like, whereas with disposables, each pad you toss in the trash costs both financially and environmentally.


What stops your pads from leaking through?

High-absorbency, double-brushed flannel comprises the inner absorbency layering of my pads. They’re more absorbent than disposables, and the fleece backing is a breathable, leak-resistant layer that keeps moisture locked in the pad. Many cloth pad makers use non-breathable PUL (polyurethane laminate) as their leak barrier. I use only breathable Polartec fleece as the leak barrier in my pads, the same quality fleece used in high-end sports wear.


No matter what I do, or what pad brand I use, I always tend to leak over the sides. Is there anything you can recommend?

Some women tend to side leak no matter what they try. I would suggest the Ultra Pads. They’re specifically designed for this problem. The sherpa fleece backing wraps around to the front on the sides to form leak-resistant gussets. They’re a wee bit bulkier than the classic pads, but they work wonderfully to prevent side leaks.


What do I do with used pads when I’m out and about?

When out and about, put used cloth pads into a wet bag or a regular Ziploc bag. Wet bags can be washed, dried, and reused. Ziplocs can be rinsed out and used over and over again, and then be recycled when they wear out. Discreetly carry clean, ready-to-use pads in an opaque drawstring bag. If using a Ziploc for used pads, it can be placed inside the cotton bag as well. Nobody but you will know what’s in there. When you get home, just toss the used pads into your pad pot or laundry, reload your carry bag with clean pads and a clean wet bag (I keep two handy... one being washed and one ready to use) and you’re ready for your next excursion.


Where are New Moon Pads products manufactured?

All New Moon Pads products are designed and manufactured in-house in Comox, British Columbia, Canada using supplies sourced from Canada and the USA. Only new, high-quality premium fabrics are used in the manufacture of all New Moon Pads products. As a WAHM (work-at-home-mom) run business, you will always receive the personal touch.


What about traveling? I’m not sure how traveling with cloth pads would work.

New Moon Pads are actually very easy to care for while traveling. If you don’t have access to a laundry facility, they can be washed out easily by hand and hung to dry from a shower curtain rod or a hanger using cloth pad drying straps. Just rinse the pads until the water runs clear, wash them by hand in the sink with mild soap, making sure to rinse them well afterward, ring them out well, and hang them to dry. Another really easy way to clean them is to put them on the floor of the shower while you take your shower and walk all over them (yup, they can take it). Then just a quick hand scrub and rinse and that's it. All you need to bring extra are a few drying straps and/or clothes pins to hang them with and you're good to go. If you're camping, tent lines work great as a clothesline, or hang them from small tree limbs using the drying straps (if you're not shy). Most people wouldn't even have a clue anyway as to what they are... just tell them they're pot holders. ;o)


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"These were worth every penny. The feel is close to just plain cotton underwear. I’m ordering more! Plus the customer service was superb. So glad I found this company!"

~ Shauna