Cloth bandage
As cloth menstrual pad in are feminine hygiene reusable sanitary napkins called.
They are usually made from different layers of absorbent materials such as cotton or hemp . They are worn during menstruation , after childbirth during the weekly flow or for daily laundry protection. After use, they are washed, dried and reused.
history
Over the years women have used various forms of underwear protection. Prior to 1900, various types of home-made sanitary napkins were used, often made from leftover cloth. In some rural areas, no protection was used at all.
Disposable pads could be purchased for the first time in 1888. They found wider distribution after the First World War. It took a few years for them to catch on, but nowadays, disposable pads are used almost exclusively in industrialized countries . In developing countries, even cloth menstrual pad today are used in developed countries, they are since the 1970s reused more often years.
Todays situation
The majority of commercially available pads are made and sold by small businesses or individuals. They are available in different sizes, such as longer pads for the night and thinner and shorter pads for easier bleeding. Some manufacturers allow buyers to choose the fabric, the shape and the size in order to enable the best possible, individual fit. Some women make their own sanitary towels. These range from simple towels to models similar to those found in stores.
Cloth sanitary towels can be washed by hand or in the washing machine and, depending on the model, can also be tumble dried. Some women soak their sanitary towels in cold water before washing. Cloth pads can be placed in a waterproof bag when you are out and about. Depending on the hardness of the water and the condition of the blood, permanent stains can form. In some cases, these can be avoided by using washing soda, gall soap or thorough rinsing in cold water immediately after wearing. Some women simply prefer red or darker fabrics on which the stains are not so easily visible. Cloth sanitary napkins are made from both natural and synthetic fabrics. Frequently used fabrics are cotton , silk , hemp , bamboo , wool and PUL. Some sanitary towels have a water-repellent layer to prevent blood from seeping through. Other sanitary towels rely on more or more absorbent layers and do without the water-repellent layer. Wool can serve as a natural, breathable and yet water-repellent protection.
Possible advantages and disadvantages
advantages
- Cloth sanitary towels are environmentally friendly and do not lead to piles of rubbish because they are reusable and there is no additional waste from packaging. After years of use, those made from natural materials can be composted. Cloth sanitary napkins can also be made from old materials such as towels and duvet covers.
- In the long run, cloth pads are cheaper than disposable pads. If you make them yourself, the initial cost is not high either.
- Cloth pads can be individually adapted to the needs of the wearer.
- As a rule, no extra washes are necessary, as they can simply be added to normal laundry.
- The chances of getting rashes or vaginal thrush are lower with cloth pads.
- The odor of the menstrual blood is reduced because better air circulation is granted.
- Some manufacturers donate a share of their profits to projects that provide reusable menstrual items for women in developing countries.
disadvantage
- Cloth sanitary towels take up more time because they need to be washed and dried.
- The initial cost of reusable menstrual products per napkin is higher than that of disposable napkins, with the cost being significantly lower over the 10 year period.
- The bandages can be rejected by partners and acquaintances.
See also
Individual evidence
- ↑ mum.org on menstrual hygiene before 1900 (English)
- ↑ mum.org: Southall's Ads from the United Kingdom, 1888 - 1913 (English)
- ↑ mum.org: An early - the earliest? - multinational menstrual napkin: Hartmann's, and disposable!
- ↑ Letters: Period pain in Zimbabwe - Salon ( Memento of the original from February 11, 2009 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ From the Collection of MUM: Washable Menstrual Pads and Underpants (English)
- ↑ Bleed With Pride: Make-It-Yourself Menstrual Pads: TreeHugger
- ↑ Microsoft Word - 4126C0AA-056B-204951.doc (PDF file; 228 kB)
- ↑ Cloth menstrual pads
