So you’ve decided to try cloth reusable menstrual pads, but are feeling overwhelmed. You don’t know what length, what absorbency, how to wash, where to turn for questions. First of all, there are three things to focus on.

First of all, think about what you expect out of a pad. Do you need backup for tampons, cups, or is your flow fairly light? Are you a heavy bleeder and need the maximum coverage a PUL pad offers? Or maybe you would like to purchase a pad set that offers a few options before you commit. Every woman and every flow is different, there will be a period of adjustment.

Second, most women stress about the length of a pad. Most of us get used to buying disposable brands that for the most part have the same length for liners, daily and overnight pads. With cloth pads, you get full flexibility. You can buy a pad that’s as long as an overnight pad that has a light absorbency or a short pad that has a fairly heavy absorbency. And if you don’t find what you like, you can send me a message and I will work with you to achieve it. A seven inch pad is approximately the length of a disposable liner. A twelve inch pad is approximately the length of a disposable overnight pad. Everything else in between is up to you. If possible, measure the length of the pads you are using currently, this will give you an idea.

Finally, washing and storage is completely up to you. For example, you can rinse pads in cold water at work and store damp in a pad wrapper, or you can fold them up soiled and rinse at home with a stain stick. In terms of washing, you can rinse after use and hang to dry before a toss in the washing machine, or you can soak in a shallow tray of water and wash all of them at once. It really depends on your lifestyle and what works best for you. There are even Facebook groups about buying, caring and using cloth pads that might help you out.