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Fact: 13.5 billion pads and 6.5 billion tampons, plus their applicators and packaging, ended up in landfills or sewage systems in 1998.
Fact: The average North American woman will spend up to $2,500 on approx. 11,000 pads or tampons in her lifetime.
Fact: The company Lunapads offers an awesome solution to the above figures, via their washable, re-usable sanitary pads. I know this, because I tried them — tried them and loved them!
I had once been very vocal that I would “never be so crunchy as to move into flannel pads,” but I’m a sucker for free products and testing things out, so when I was given the opportunity to try the Lunapads Starter Kit, I agreed to test them out.
To say I was very doubtful that I would like them is putting it mildly. I think I wanted to test them out to feel better about the fact that I was still stuck on tampons and regular pads. I would give them the college try, find all sorts of problems with them, and be able to use my regular store-bought supplies for the rest of my cycles until menopause and not feel any guilt about it.
“Oh, I tried them,” would be my reply, when crunchy friends would suggest I use them. “But they leaked and smelled and they aren’t worth the money.”
Was I proven wrong!
My package came in perfect time, just three days before my period. The first thought that came to my mind when I opened the package? “How fun!” And indeed it was. The particular test kit that I was sent consisted of two maxi pads with two maxi liners and two maxi wing liners, and two mini pads with two mini pad liners and wing liners. The fabric was bright and cheerful and the products were sewn tightly all around the edges. There would be no ripping and tearing during washings, that was apparent.
It took me a few minutes to figure out how everything worked, but I got it. The directions that came with everything made it easy to understand how to use the products.
Honestly, my first impression using them was not positive. Since I was only spotting I used one of the mini pads first. Unfortunately, that one had the bottom of it fold out and brush against my leg when I walked. That’s probably my fault, since I can’t seem to get off the 8 lbs of pregnancy weight and it has settled in my thigh area, but reality is, there are other women who have some extra weight in that area and all I could think was, “How irritating! I’m not sure how long I can deal with this and other women certainly aren’t going to find it appealing either.”
Not one to give up easily, however, I eventually tossed that one into my cloth diaper pail and used the second one that came in the package. This one did not have that issue (nor did the two large pads) so I guess it was just a fluke with that particular liner. Because I was testing the product, having received it for free, I did not call the company about it. However, I have since been in contact with them and found the response to be prompt and friendly, so I am guessing that if a customer had this issue, it would be resolved promptly.
Since pregnancy I have been having a difficult time with very heavy periods. Because of this I was not willing to try the pads the day my period started up in full force, which was a Sunday. Because of church I would not be at home and I wasn’t going to be a guinea pig in a public setting. When I got home that night, I still wasn’t willing to try them because I just wasn’t sure that I wouldn’t wake up to a mess the next morning.
Monday morning I stared at my tampons, which I’ve been trying not to use, hearing that they are not good for infertility, and my Lunapads, trying to decide which to use. My flow was very heavy, and in my mind the flannel pads just weren’t going to absorb it. However, I had committed to trying them, so with trepidation I put one on — all three layers that were provided.
I was immediately surprised at how non-bulky it felt! I thought that by putting all three layers on I would be reverting back to high school days and those mattress pads we had to wear between our legs. Not so. It actually felt very comfortable and fit in such a way so that there was no shifting back and forth as I wore it.
I was shocked that the pads absorbed as much as a thin pad bought at the store, but didn’t leak through. “I could get used to wearing these,” I thought.
By the end of the second pad, I was hooked. Not only were they comfortable, they were absorbing nicely and not leaking, and in some weird way I felt more in tune with my body while wearing them. It just felt healthier to me, not to mention environmentally conscious.
Because I cloth diaper it was easy to throw them in with my cloth diapers and wash them that way. I’m not sure how I would go about washing them if I didn’t have cloth diapers, but I think I would definitely have a system to keep them separate from the rest of my laundry.
I’m not as sold on the liners as the regular maxi pads. For some reason the liners seem to shift around a bit more, while the maxi pads stay in place. I’m not sure why that is. They also seem “bulky” compared to store-bought liners, while the maxi pads are surprisingly free of bulk for their size.
I’m also not so into them that I would want to use them if I’m traveling or going to be gone from home for the day. The thought of putting used Lunapads in a bag in my purse, to be put into the laundry when I return home, just doesn’t work for this germ-a-phobe.
With that said, however, since I am mostly a stay-at-home mom, who is always seeking out cheaper and more environmentally sound things to use, I now am trying to figure out how I can fit it into our budget to build up my supply. It’s like cloth diapers — it’s addicting and I can’t wait until I can order a deluxe kit and choose the fabrics for it!
At first glance, Lunapads, whether bought alone or in kits, seem expensive. However, when you figure in the cost of your sanitary supplies every month, if you buy disposable pads and tampons, they pay for themselves within a half a year to a year’s time (depending on how many Lunapads you end up buying). Can you imagine the relief of never having to run out at the last minute for tampons or buying pads every month when you shop?
Lunapads aren’t something that you have to grin and bear in order to be environmentally friendly. They really are comfortable, they work well, and somehow, using them makes a woman feel more in touch with her body and menstrual cycle. If you are like me, and still think it’s kinda (or maybe, a lot) gross, I would encourage you to buy just one, ideally two, and try them out. I guarantee you’re going to fall in love with them and won’t look back!
The Lunapads website offers everything from videos to testimonials to a flow chart to help you determine what you need to order for your particular cycle patterns. Lunapads is also offering a Sampler Pack to one of our readers, chosen randomly from comments left below.
In addition to this giveaway, they are also extending a 10% discount to all Totally Her readers, for orders of $35 or more, until June 30, 2009. Mention the promo code TOTALLYHER09 when you order! The contest ends April 1st!
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March 18th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
I’m so glad to see another glowing review of LunaPads!! I’ve been using them for years, and I LOVE them! I highly recommend them to everyone who will listen!!
March 18th, 2009 at 11:02 pm
I’d love a chance to try these.
March 19th, 2009 at 3:12 am
I totally want to give these a try. I am cheap.
March 19th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
I’d try them…though i don’t know about fabric pads…but hey!!! prove me wrong!
March 19th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
I’ve bought other things from them and have been curious about the pads. I would really like to give them a try.
March 20th, 2009 at 10:58 am
I have been using cloth pads for about 4 years now. I first heard about them in forums that I belonged to for my cloth diaper addiction. Now that my daughter is out of diapers I can still be crunchy by using cloth pads and cloth dinner napkins. I love them. I haven’t tried Luna Pads. My stash is very small and I’d love some new pads. Thanks for the chance!
March 20th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
That is so neat! Thanks for the review! I would LOVE to try LunaPads!
March 20th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
Worth a try if you want to send them to Canada.
linmoe@sympatico.ca
March 20th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
WELL i PUT CLOTH ON MY BABY AND IT WORKES FINE FOR HIM SO WHY WOULDN’T IT WORK FOR ME? right? it’s ALL ABOUT SAVING A BUCK AND THE ENVIRONMENT RIGHT?don’t KNOW WHAT THE FRIENDS WOULD SAY BUT HEY WHO NEEDS TO KNOW WHATS IN YOUR PANTS!;)
March 20th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
I’ve tried other cloth pads and like them. I would love to try lunapads. Thanks for the giveaway.
March 23rd, 2009 at 1:12 pm
I am so about the reusable Lunapads, man, bring ‘em on! I am originally from Northern California, and we are not particularly squeamish up there about these things.Please enter me!
Alicia Webster
5webs@comcast.net
March 23rd, 2009 at 10:52 pm
I would love to try these pads. Just thinking of how comfortable they must be and all they money one could save using them. Thanks!
March 24th, 2009 at 6:56 am
I’m skeptical, but would be willing to try them. As a lifetime tampon user, I’m not sure I could go back to using any kind of pad, but I would try them.
March 25th, 2009 at 12:45 am
i would love to try these pads, i’m just new to CDing and now i’m thinkin’ that i could go out on the limb and do this!
March 25th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
Thank you for a very honest real review
March 26th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
I cloth diaper my baby and have thought of using cloth for me but never got around to buying/trying any! I’d love to win! Thanks for the honest review and the giveaway!
March 27th, 2009 at 12:40 am
I started using cloth pads last year and would love to own some LunaPads. I have heard nothing but good things about them.
Thanks!
March 28th, 2009 at 4:56 am
Use these – love them! The Customer Service is great and the girls are so friendly. Excellent craftsmanship, also!
March 29th, 2009 at 12:04 am
I would love to try a pad that is better for me and the environment, thanks!
March 30th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
I’d love to enter this contest. My daughter is actually trying to make some of these pads for the three females in the family.
March 31st, 2009 at 7:01 am
OMG! These are GREAT! I have really light periods, normally not enough for a pad, and all my undies are stained! These are a godsend!
March 31st, 2009 at 8:19 am
I have been thinking of trying these. I hate the waste of disposable products. We use and love cloth diapers, so this may be our next step. Thanks for the review.
March 31st, 2009 at 9:09 am
I’d really like to try these! Cloth seems like it would be so comfy.
Cloth is what our ancestors used, why can’t we?
March 31st, 2009 at 9:35 pm
I would like to try this as my periods are light and I sometimes get irritated by regular pads.
March 31st, 2009 at 10:38 pm
I’ve wanted to try this more world conscious alternative for awhile now. This particular company sounds great.
March 31st, 2009 at 11:10 pm
I would love to try this, not only for me but also for my fifteen year old daughter.
madamerkf at aol dot com
April 1st, 2009 at 9:20 pm
I’ll try just about anything once so, I’m game.
April 2nd, 2009 at 4:40 am
Please enter me into the contest. Thanks!
April 7th, 2009 at 3:48 am
I’ve been hearing alot about these products and would LOVE LOVE to try them.
April 8th, 2009 at 7:55 am
Wow! This is a very unique idea that I had never heard of before. I would love to try these out. I am going to check into them some more on my own to see if I can afford them.
April 20th, 2009 at 10:42 am
How do we know the winner? This was supposed to end on the 1st…now it’s the 20th and I’m not sure where the winner will be posted?
April 22nd, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Congratulations to the winner, impnpixie!
April 14th, 2010 at 7:16 am
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