Cheap VS. Expensive Reusable Period Pads | CORRIE V

[@my2cents49]

So about the stains... They aren't actually blood (if that helps for people who are squeamish). So basically what happens is that blood has iron in it which is bonded to proteins. The proteins break down and go away after washing, etc. which frees the iron molecules (now left alone) to bond with the clothes instead. If you've ever seen rust, you know that when iron breaks down it turns reddish brown - the color of the stains on clean pads. So the stains you see are NOT dirty and they're NOT blood. And they contain NO bacteria. They're pretty much just iron molecules left behind in your clothes after the blood is long gone and your clothes are clean. Since the iron is in such small amounts and it's bonded to the cloth (on a molecular level), it poses no danger at all. Just not very pretty to look at.

[@weeklyalexa257]

Interesting, thanks for that info

[@CorrieV]

Thanks for your 2 cents!

[@freer1176]

Thanks for explaining, never knew!

[@robynalice879]

I know this isn't relevant to the topic at hand, but I love your little boop of silver in your bangs. My cousin has that too, and I'll always say the same thing: "I'm gonna be so happy the day that highlight grows in on myself."

[@CorrieV]

Aww haha :)

[@SharmaineDORK]

I‘ve just started switching to cloth pads and got my charcoal bamboo with PUL backing "cheapies". I like them so far! Great absorbency, no staining issues. (I rinse the blood out and soak em in soap water as soon as i take them off, then throw it in the washing machine with the next load of laundry) It doesn't move around and they're cheap!

[@CorrieV]

That's awesome, thanks for sharing!

[@bethyboo4427]

Thanks for the video, I started with Hannahpad and I found it was so much work to keep the stains off of them. I recently bought some of the charcoal bamboo "cheapies" from amazon and wow! The charcoal bamboo doesnt need soaking at ALL, I rinse and wash in the machine, they come out like new everytime. I have had no issues with putting them in the dryer either. Mom of 5, working shifts and going to school I dont have time for the scrubbing and soaking hannah pads require and the staining doesnt work with my OCD. Also I havent had an issue with the amazon ones sliding and I'm walking and changing position a lot at work. All in all I love cloth pads, just like the fabric better in the charcoal bamboo, still very absorbent, no smell, no stains.

[@CorrieV]

Nice tips!! Is there a specific one you get on amazon? Are they the rectangles?

[@bethyboo4427]

@@CorrieV Hey! They were really inexpensive "Simfamily" I think they were called. A bit less rectangular then the ones you have. I think mine are a ten inch as opposed to the 11.5 you have. That may make a difference with pad movement too? I loved my Hannah's when I knew nothing else but these new ones have been a breeze for cleaning, great absornacey, so low maintenance. I would go on the hannah FB and read tips for getting out stains and found I was scrubbing so much and soaking and rinsing, it felt like such a chore, and so much time and water used. I do find like you I have specific underwear I prefer to use with them, wide across the bum and quite snug, holds it all together lol.

[@mylene_b]

I got Omaïki ones which also require a lot of scrubbing and they got strained. Then, I got cheap pads from Amazon and I love them. They don't leak unlike the Omaïki ones and they're also so much easier to wash. Here's the link where I got them from. :) www.amazon.ca/Regular-Charcoal-Menstrual-Reusable-Sanitary/dp/B07525C7WL/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

[@mackenziezeitlin7497]

I have that same first pad. That 10 pack. I switched to Etsy sellers over the year. The difference is incredible.

[@CorrieV]

Yeah I gotta get on this etsy train! haha

[@americanadian2]

I've used the reusable pads from hannahpad for over a year and can highly recommend. Waaaaay more comfortable than the Always brand disposable pads I used to use. No plastic-y chafing or crinkling, and I find these last a lot longer before I need to change them. I don't think I've ever needed to stash more than 2 dirty pads before I got home from a day of work, and haven't noticed any smell. Though I'm confident that folded up they wouldn't leak, I still put them in a waterproof pouch until I get home. I soak them overnight, sometimes a couple nights until I have enough to justify a small load of laundry - but I dump and replace the rinse water regularly until then. The better you can rinse them out, the fewer stains you'll get. It does take a while to rinse out, as these pads are very absorbent. I haven't tried a stain remover like Oxy yet - I'm not sure whether it would impact the waterproof layer at all. The enzyme soap bar you can get from hannahpad works great, but bothers my sensitive skin if I have dry patches/excema. I am curious how these pads compare to the ones I often see at craft/Etsy shows, farmer's markets, etc - those don't usually feel as quality made, and most either don't have a waterproof layer or have one that looks uncomfortable or noisy. Bonus points to hannahpad for being biodegradable.

[@CorrieV]

Wow, thanks for sharing your feedback!

[@americanadian2]

@@CorrieV Haha, yeah, my response was rather long and detailed. But all things I wanted to know while I was trying to decide whether to spend the money on them! They're not cheap!

[@CorrieV]

That's awesome :) Thanks for giving back with the feedback, hehe.

[@knyazeva96]

@@americanadian2 Thank you so much for this!exactly what i was looking for :)

[@megaflame97]

i know this is a late reply as i only just fount this channel. but i would say that the ones on Etsy are just as good. theres many different fabric toppings and cores to suit your needs, its just researching and trying out what fabric suits you

[@palomaponsonnet3798]

Honestly what a well informed video. Normally I gotta watch a few review videos but this one just answer all my questions. Thank you ☺️

[@CorrieV]

Aw, thank you, your comment made my day!

[@ciannacoleman5125]

I don’t really understand why stains are a problem on pad, blood by nature stains fabric and if you use something with that purpose in mind some stains aren’t a big deal. I am testing out my first cloth pads from Party in Your Pants (American company) and while I don’t have enough info to review them yet they are staying in place well. I found that using Knix underwear is much more comfortable than a pad for overnight though I don’t like them for a busy day and have been using them about a year. I did realize that the period smell is nonexistent with cloth pads vs disposable which is really nice.

[@mirandamage]

I put fabric glue on the back of my Amazon pads and it works great! It makes the back much more grippy and able to stay in place

[@CorrieV]

Great tip! Thanks for sharing!!

[@elspethrose4109]

That’s a great tip. Does it stay on well even after washing?

[@sapnaa6576]

thanks for the tip. but does the pad peel off the panties when we want to wash them, after using fabric glue?

[@Tinalicous]

I have both the Hannah pad and the amazon bamboo pads, and tbh the hannah pads are beautiful, but they simply stain so easily! The bamboo pads are a breeze to clean, but with the hannah pads i have to soak them longer and try harder just to make the stains come out :(

[@megaflame97]

not sure if anyone else had mentioned, but with the asymmetrical ones, they're meant for people who are front or back bleeders ( you can turn it around to suit you ). from all the videos ive watched to help me learn more about reusable pads, ive never heard anyone say that its an ergonomic type so it fits better, all have mentioned theyre for front/back bleeders. not hating or anything ^_^ ' i do love this video and was helpful ( even though ive been using reusable pads for i think 8 months now. ive bought from Amazon and Etsy X) they've all been amazing for me )

[@CorrieV]

Oh that's awesome! I guess I never considered the ergonomics cause I'm a back bleeder! Thanks for sharing :)

[@megaflame97]

no problem ^_^ and ye, pads are commonly made equal size ( for front and back ) and when i saw it was a thing looking around, shops and KZbin, i was quite surprised as ive never seen pads that design and i was tempted to get one as i thought i was a back-bleeder because with disposables, i always had to have a second pad because it always seemed to run down the back ( had a lot of accidents before then ) but when i got my first reusable set ( its 12" i think ) i was so surprised i had no accident as i feared it was too short. And at that point, i realised i was an all over bleeder, and that the disposable was too slow to absorb the flow. im just so happy theres so much variety for CSP's ^_^ just wished i got them sooner and at least looked into them. got freaked/grossed out and ignored them when i randomly saw them on Etsy 2 years ago ^_^ '

[@aidenalamo6262]

I order mine from three separate companies on Amazon that cost about the same as disposables. For me, they work very well and I use a multi pad system and wash them straight away to keep them at their best in terms of hygiene. Thank you for your review video! Kindest Regards, Aiden Alamo

[@aidenalamo6262]

update: I used my cloth pads for one year and I have to say I am very pleased with the results. They were easy to clean and maintain and I bought some for someone else to try. They are still with me, just that now I am on a medication that prevents periods from happening. So, again thank you for your informational video.

[@svetlanatipsmark8019]

I just bought the hannah pads. I gave up the reusable ones, because i thought they were super bulky and uncomfortable and not absorbing at all. And you renewed my faith in reusable pads, because I am convinced they are so much better for our bodies! Thank you!!!

[@phainafiligree7075]

Some tricks I learned to get out the stains or help prevent stains are as follows. To help prevent stains change to a new pad often when you have low flow because when the blood dries it creates a stain more easily. Rinse off the pad with cold water and latter with soap right away and let it soak. The probiotic soap hannah pad sells works well for getting out the stains and is better compared to the other soap I use for the pads. Even if you wash the pad the the way you are supposed to and they still come out with a stain, if you wash them again later after they have dried out sometimes the stain will come out the second time around. Also heat sets stains so don't wash with hot water or put in dryer.

[@CorrieV]

Thanks for the tips!

[@timtamt5662]

Thank you for your review and presentation. Very helpful

[@CorrieV]

Glad it was helpful!

[@alrinaleroux9229]

I bought some similar to the cheap ones you showed (with the bamboo top and PUL bottom), and discovered that if I put it on over a cliip-on pantyliner made of tought/strong pure cotton, it doesn't move as easily, it stays in place.

[@CorrieV]

Ooh I've never heard of a clip on pantyliner! Thanks for the tip!

[@polovt9511]

Mine is very different I am heavy flow and I used to be a week when I was a pre-teen and then when I was 18 it started to change to 2 weeks being on my period but now I'm 28 my period is officially a whole month it's been going on like this for 5 years and it's been hell. so the max would be 32 days on my period and then the shortest I have ever been off my period was a week but if it's less I will be only off for 3 to 4 days and then back on it for a month or more. I have bad cramps so I always feel weak and tired a lot and I sleep a lot so I am seeing a PCD (primary care doc) but I just order me one cloth pad because I haven't been able to stay at a reg job due to that problem but mostly getting fired and let go due to calling out a lot. But I'm glad I came across cloth pads I was weirded out at first but now I got comfortable to try it because I am sensitive to some pads, but plus it would save me money.

[@melissamybubbles6139]

Does the padding extend into the wings? I've been dreaming of absorbent wings for years.

[@CorrieV]

Nope, you can feel the padding really goes down as you move away from the center. I think to reduce bulk?

[@SaraHinata]

If you bleed off the sides I would suggest you try exposed cores. Cozy Folk, Pampered Shop Pads, A Splendid Story (she has IG) and Domino Pads make exposed cores. You can also message makers and ask for a custom order. Absorbent wings only will make the blood wick to your underwear/clothing. I know this because I have pads with absorbent wings 😂.

[@melissamybubbles6139]

@@SaraHinata Thanks.

[@phainafiligree7075]

No but I find that I have way less leaking on the wings area with the reusable pads (hannah pad). The re-usable ones don't actually stick to your underwear they snap over them so they don't come unstuck like the disposables and you don't have to try to adjust them or put on a new pad if the wings stop sticking. The re-usable ones shift better as you are wearing them too and they feel like wearing thick undies instead of a bulky pad so when you're moving around they move with you unlike the disposables where if you move around too much they don't lay flat right and you will bleed on the wings etc.

[@meganhardy6983]

Maybe try interlabial pads with your reg pads?

[@justStarla]

Peroxide helps blood out. Trust me. Great Review

[@shangita1988]

I love cloth pads cause im allergic to disposable pads

[@tanyapitre731]

So you mentioned that you do quite a bit of sewing. Why not just make you own? Much more cost effective and you can customize width, length and how much fabric you want at rhe front and back for how you bleed.

[@CorrieV]

Lazy/not skilled/don't want them to fall apart :(

[@foxinbox500]

The PUL still feels not breathable. I like the independent makers ( like Treehugger) who use a Zorb interior and a water-resistant flannel on the fabric that is against my panties. I like bamboo or cotton for the fabric that goes against my body.

[@CorrieV]

Thanks for sharing!

[@arianarazi2621]

i use Hanna pads yes they are expensive, but it the most comfortable thing I have ever worn for period! the nice cotton feel, the dry feeling I love it, makes me feel so clean, I really like it unlike the ''fleece " pads (I had almost the same from amazon) who were so flimsy and in summer made me feel hot and itcy . nop i love the cotton ones ,oo also the hanna were sο stable fabric !

[@arianarazi2621]

for the stains i don't care much because not gonna waste time to scrub them just rinse them with cold water, put laundry detergent on the stain, and leave them in a bowl of water for 8-10 hours scrub them a bit and who cares about the stains if they are clean ??? ooo do not use fabric softener because it loses some of its absorbency!

[@CorrieV]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@kaseyskelly5854]

For the pads shifting put some hot glue on the back

[@CorrieV]

That's an interesting idea!!

[@jessicabey275]

Thats what I was thinking or some silicone since drier isn't recommended

[@orlaithryden7718]

Doubt the cheap ones are made ethically or made with safe chemicals

[@CorrieV]

Always something to consider!

[@novacainei359]

The cycle continues! That’s a pun! And oh it will continue lol

[@CorrieV]

Lol!

[@jessa9877]

Well, I like my 30 buck cheapies pads. 200$ is way too much for something I bleed on.

[@CorrieV]

hahahaha. Next time I buy i'll try a indie brand I think! Hopefully it'll be cheaper.

[@novacainei359]

A little water proof “beg” awe that’s cool, that’s definitely Canadian lol I’m friendly picking:)

[@CorrieV]

Hahaha

[@KayongoDanny-ph4cr]

How much is apair of them

[@KayongoDanny-ph4cr]

How much a pair of them

[@freer1176]

Does it work!?

[@abbakus_]

Thanks for the review! I’m doing lots of research on cloth pads. I tried the menstrual cup/disc route and it didn’t work for me. I still want a sustainable period though. Plus all the prints are adorable.

[@NashayBrown_3]

I’m looking for a non toxic reusable pads can you help me 🤦🏾‍♀️

[@LoveJeanne211]

On stain im using soap and freezing water, it helps a lot.

[@CorrieV]

I'll try, thanks for the tip!

[@yummiibear]

Pls link or name for hanger

[@ruby-pm8zw]

would you wear these outside like if you're in oublic? How would you change?

[@CorrieV]

Yup, you can wear them out and about! I wear them like normal pads. Just like a normal pad I switch it out in the bathroom - I take my purse in and I put the used pads in the little hannahpad waterproof pouch to bring home.

[@ruby-pm8zw]

@@CorrieV sorry to ask again, arent you scared that they leak ? And how would you mask the smell? Do you put in another bag?

[@karlyj5262]

ruby2000 cloth pads go by absorbency too so you won’t leak unless the pad isn’t the right shape for you or you need a higher absorbency. They don’t smell. Disposables smell because of the chemicals they have and they react with your blood. You use a wetbag look it up on google to get an idea. It’s a waterproof bag.

[@jeminamandove4502]

How can i get them here in South Africa

[@CorrieV]

Hmm, not sure maybe someone else here watching can help!

[@sheriwilson701]

I know this is late to the party but Palesa Pads makes good ones. I've started seeing reusable pads in Clicks but they don't look as good.

[@judy_bug]

How easy would it be to sew your own pads? As easy as facemasks?

[@nuckfuts4866]

judy bug they’re easy. There’s lots of tutorials all over KZbin.

[@americanadian2]

I would expect you could make some simple ones fairly easily, though maybe slightly harder than a facemask if you're inserting snaps? I think the harder part would be figuring out how to make them as absorbent/leak proof as you'd like.

[@CorrieV]

Maybe I should check out some other tutorials!!

[@suriyamclean5625]

Thanks for the good video 😊

[@CorrieV]

Thanks for watching!

[@michellenason9501]

I wonder if these would work for women that have urine leaks . Or do they sell something reusable for that also . I don’t like the idea of the period cup . I love this . Wow there expensive, but I guess the amount of money you’d save in the long run would be nice .

[@CorrieV]

Save money and less waste! I'm not sure they are absorbent for urine leaks, I guess it depends on the amount one leaks!

[@megaflame97]

usually pads for periods are made specifically for blood as its thicker, so you would need a different material to help retain incontinence. though from what my mum has told me when she bought her pads from Amazon, she uses it for both incontinence and periods ( the listing also said that they were good for that so its best to keep an eye out for that listing ) and has no problem with it.

[@nettie645]

What camera do you use to record?

[@CorrieV]

I use a D610 with an 85mm lens for my main camera, and an a D7100 with a 60mm macro for my close up camera :)

[@nettie645]

Corrie Side thank you x

[@sweetnothings12]

I currently have some reusable pads from amazon that i got. I love them but the only thing that bothers me is they always slip ive been thinking about this brand a lot because these have the grips underneath hoping maybe these will be better. Do these stay in place pretty well?

[@madison3810]

Use fabric glue to add the grips to your Amazon ones ☺️☺️

[@missadkins5882]

This is the 3rd time I've watched this video. Do you know what is going on with the Hanna pad web page. I would really like to order some tonight for my daughter and myself.

[@CorrieV]

Not sure - I think they recently rebranded?

[@missadkins5882]

The Hannah web page is no more. Do you know if they changed their name? Where can I find the Hannah pads now and have you thought about using the period panties by Modibodi? I need to get both the panties and pads for my daughter and myself.

[@tomjones2157]

I just brought some a few days ago and they arrived today. Did you search Hannahpad ? I brought mine from the New Zealand online store but I saw other countries stores when I did my search.

[@CorrieV]

I should try period panties!! I think they are now just called "the brand hannah" which is interesting lol.

[@evelynl.4554]

I prefer to buy NEITHER. With the “China cheapies” from Amazon, you know you get what you pay for. With Hannahpad, don’t let the high prices fool you. Hannahpad uses cheap “organic” materials (example: flannel core) and are also made overseas in Asia, (South Korea) most likely using cheap labor, with only one “quality check” a month that we have to take their word for. They charge $16 USD for a “medium” pad that is a little over 10 inches long. I feel bad for anybody who is ripped off by Hannahpad. I stick with purchasing custom handmade pads from small businesses in USA and Canada on their own websites, through Facebook and Etsy(if that is their only storefront) and of course making my own from QUALITY materials.

[@CorrieV]

Nice! Do you have an indie/small business brand you'd recommend?

[@Tinalicous]

It's a south korean brand after all...that's why they're expensive because they have to be shipped to wherever you are (I'm assuming the US). South Korea does not equal china. Please educate yourself.

[@lovesweetlove1993]

What specific brands do you suggest

[@sweetnothings12]

Where did you get your drying rack

[@CorrieV]

Came with them when I ordered from Hannahpad.

[@ninahmuhsen2659]

Does anyone’s Hannah pad, have a really strong smell, after you’ve used t, I cant tell if I need to change my soap?

[@my2cents49]

It may be that your Ph is off or another minor issue. Odors shouldn't be a problem so if you're seeing that it would be a good idea to try a different soap, and if you still have issues talk to a Gynecologist / OBGYN to make sure everything is ok down there. It could be something as simple as a yeast infection which you just take meds for and then it goes away.

[@CorrieV]

Mine do not :o

[@michellenason9501]

How long are they meant to last ? The Hannah brand ?

[@CorrieV]

I've had mine for almost a year (bought in Jan) and they are still in great shape. I hand wash them and hang to dry. I expect they will last for many years to come!

[@anhho1997]

For a very long time if you take care of them. I had mine for 3 years they still look great. There was a time a snap button on the pad came off. I was troubling about how to fix the button. And upon contacting with Hannah pad team, they said they will fix the button for free. Somehow the pad must have got damaged during the fixing process so they sent me a new one with the exact same print. Just to let you know if you buy hannahpad their service is incredible too.

[@melissamybubbles6139]

Can we just sew them into underwear? In order to do that, would we have to make custom panties to fit them? What about making a pocket in the undies into which you slide a pad? Maybe the pocket itself could be detachable.

[@CorrieV]

I think it'd be easier to just sew a pair of period panties! I think they'd be easier to sew in without wings.

[@melissamybubbles6139]

@@CorrieV Thanks. It might be easier to make panties. I'm a brand new to sewing though. I'd rather not have to make the whole garments. I found undies on sale and a bath towel. I will get flannel tomorrow. I already have new water resistant napkins. I want to trace the shape of the gusset and somewhat beyond its length. Then sew all the layers into the underwear, possibly so that they wrap around to the bottom of the gusset. Although, that may be too obvious under clothing. Do you think that would work?

[@jessicabey275]

Is there much noise from the fabric?

[@CorrieV]

Nope, no noise from either pair!

[@jessicabey275]

@@CorrieV cool beans! Thanks!

[@음냐리-y7g]

silicone nonslip

[@michellenason9501]

Do they leak at night I get heavy periods ?

[@tomjones2157]

Get the largest ultra or super ultra for heavy periods they have a longer wider back to catch all the leaks.

[@CorrieV]

The wings really help, and yes like Tom Jones (lol) suggested, you can get the bigger night-time size to catch more:)

[@anhho1997]

It depends your flow and what position you sleep. If you bleed more towards the back, I recommend hannahpad. I’ve been using the hannahpad super ultra overnight pad at night or during heavy period. It’s 40 cm long (after shrinkage) and I rarely get leak. Buy 1 or 2 tester first but I recommend investing in good quality ones. With the right care they will last for ages. I’m having mine for 3 years and they still look good.