Did you know that each year approximately 20 billion pads are thrown out in the U.S alone? Now imagine what that number would be on a global scale.
Fortunately, plenty of ethical brands have come up with reusable pads and cups that are a way better alternative to the commercial hygiene products we use. Not only are they better for the environment, but reusable fabric pads and silicone cups don’t contain half the chemicals and other additives that regular pads do.
Plus, they work out to be cheaper in the long run!
So let’s jump on board the zero-waste movement and check out the 9 top reusable period pads and cups!
This post contains affiliate links which may earn us a small commission at no cost to you.
#1 Battle Green Box
The reusable panty liners by Battle Green Box are great during the lighter days of your period or when used together with a period cup.
The liners are made out of ultra-soft bamboo material that is non-irritating whatsoever. Once you’re done with them, you can simply throw them into the washing machine, and they’ll be as good as new!
What’s great about these is that the pads come with a well-designed backing ensuring no accidental leaks. You can also choose from various color tones, and you’ll get a set of 3 panty liners with your purchase.
#2 Sierra Linens
The Sierra Linens panty liners are crafted out of organic cotton and thread, with no added chemicals or plastic packaging.
User reviews rave about how comfortable these natural liners are and how well they fit! The panty liners are also suitable for those heavier days by pairing the winged and wingless liner together for a thicker barrier.
Once you’re finished, these can be machine washed and dried as normal, and you can reuse these for a very long time.
#3 Shazzy Chic
The Shazzy Chic reusable menstrual pads are well suited for both lighter and heavier flows. Plus, these pads come in gorgeous designs and colors, which is a nice change from the boring commercial pads!
Using menstrual fabric pads has plenty of positive points. For example, they are a lot more comfortable and don’t contain any chemical or nasty odors. Best of all, once you purchase a few, you won’t need to worry about replacing them for a long time – saving you money in the future!
The pads are completely machine washable, though it’s recommended to air dry them instead. Additionally, depending on your flow, you can choose from a variety of types or mix and match, such as panty liners, medium size, and overnight reusable pads.
#4 Fanny Paddams
The Fanny Paddams (isn’t that a great name?) reusable pads are made out of heavy cotton flannel and are designed for all types of flows.
Plus, there are many gorgeous designs to choose from, and the seller also has a ton of other hygiene products available on their page. Most of the menstrual pads are 12 inches in size, which is good enough for overnight use.
#5 Handmade By L Davies
The cloth reusable menstrual pads by Handmade By L Davies are designed to be super comfortable and long-lasting.
The designs and color types are entirely random, so you’ll never know which type you’ll get. Cloth period pads are also a lot more breathable, and they don’t carry the risk of drying you out as some commercial brands do. On top of that, they don’t contain any chemicals, toxins, or artificial dyes.
Lastly, you can choose from a variety of different pads to suit you; the seller stocks reusable pads for a light flow, medium, heavy, or very heavy flow.
#6 Les Malicesd Amelie
The reusable bamboo slips by Les Malicesd Amelie are very soft and ultra-absorbent. Plus, since the reusable pads are made out of bamboo fabric, it means that they are hypoallergenic, don’t release any odors, don’t contain any toxins, and of course, are sustainable.
The lining of the menstrual pads is waterproof, so you won’t have to worry about any accidental leaks. The pads are also small enough to be easily folded up and placed in your handbag, and they come in cute colorful patterns.
#7 Beauty with Chuoru
Menstrual cups are my personal favorite for a variety of reasons. The Beauty with Chuoru Honey Bee silicone menstrual cup is FDA approved and completely body-safe.
Period cups are fantastic because they can last up to 10 years! Additionally, they are leak-proof for up to 12-hours if inserted currently and work out to be much cheaper in the long run.
The Honey Bee menstrual cup comes in a set of 2, a small and a large cup so that you can find the right size for you.
Usually, teenagers or women under 25 benefit from a smaller cup, whereas women who have given birth or are over 30 might find the larger size more comfortable. However, your cervix comes into play too! This handy guide explains how you can figure out your cervix placement.
#8 JnL Naturals
The JnL Naturals menstrual cup also comes in different shapes and sizes to suit you. The cup is made out of 100% medical-grade silicone, and it’s reusable for up to 10 years. Plus, you can use it for up to 12 hours without worrying about any leakage – making it an ideal overnight solution.
On top of that, once it’s time to say goodbye to your cup, it’s good to know that it’s environmentally friendly and won’t be sitting on top of a landfill for years to come.
#9 Pure Ella Care
Last but not least, we have the Pure Ella Care reusable menstrual cup.
This soft silicone cup is made out of FDA-approved silicone, and it’s safe to remain in your body for up to 12 hours at a time. Plus, like the other period cups, it also lasts 10 years.
Additionally, you don’t have to worry about any irritation since the cups are hyperallergic, non-toxic, and just an overall great alternative to commercial tampons. The Pure Ella Care period cups are also soft enough to adjust to each unique body, making them comfortable to wear for long periods.
Lastly, Ella donates a part of their profits to charitable organizations that help fight global menstrual poverty, so you’ll be helping them on their mission when making a purchase.
Have you ever tried reusable menstrual products? Let us know in the comments below, and thanks for reading!
For more eco-friendly and zero-waste bathroom alternatives, check out our absolute best 24 plastic-free bathroom swaps!
Anna Miller is a content manager at TrashBackwards. She’s passionate about living a zero-waste lifestyle. Anna has been writing about eco-friendly tips for years now, and she’s got some great ideas on how you can go plastic-free! She loves sharing her knowledge about eco-lifestyle with others. Her articles are always witty and insightful! Shoot her a message if you’ve got any questions about how you can start going green.
