Let's talk periods. We can't avoid them or the cramps that come with them, but we can reduce the waste they generate with reusable sanitary pads. While using sanitary pads are a completely normal part of life, the environmental impact of sanitary products cannot be ignored, so if you're looking for little eco-friendly swaps to make in your day-to-day life, then you might want to consider reusable sanitary pads.
Single-use sanitary products like maternity pads which are designed to help with postnatal bleeding, contain around 90% plastic (the equivalent of four plastic bags). If this wasn't bad enough, it can take a staggering one thousand years for some menstrual products to break down, and let's not get started on the lethal toxic gases they can release if they haven't been disposed of appropriately. All of this makes it a pretty hard pill to swallow.
The good news is that there are a number of reusable sanitary pads available which can help reduce the estimated 200,000 tonnes of sanitary products disposed annually. Just like period pants, which are ideal for postpartum, there's a growing trend and increase in sales of reusable sanitary pads.
Like period swimwear, these eco pads are not only better for the environment, they're better for you too as they're typically made from a combination of natural fibres like cotton, hemp, or bamboo so are also a gentle and comfortable option for the sensitive postpartum period.
Best reusable sanitary pads 2025
Most reusable sanitary pads can be popped onto your underwear like a normal pad and the wings (or poppers) secure it around the gusset of your underwear. The best bit is they can be washed and reused again and again. Now that's a sustainable switch we're happy to get on board with.
If you need any more convincing, simply using reusable sanitary pads could help you save hundreds of pounds. According to charity, Bloody Good Period, we spend just under £5000 on single use pads and by simply replacing them with reusable ones, we could reduce waste production by 22,907 tonnes per year.
If you're looking for sustainable period options, we've rounded up some of the best reusable sanitary pads on the market for all period flows.
Best handmade reusable sanitary pads
etsywww.etsy.com
If you love a bit of colour, you'll love this set of 3 handmade eco cloth pads. Each one is 9 inches long and designed for moderate to heavy flow days. Each one contains 100% cotton fabric exterior, a soft brushed cotton layer for comfortable contact against the skin. The waterproof bamboo layer also has a layer of organic cotton. One review said: "Just wanted to say to everyone who is looking for an economical and ethical solution to this matter - you've come to the right place! I've been looking for and comparing reusable panty liners and pads (as a supplement to the menstrual cups) on various platforms for several months and I'm so glad I bought from this company. They are like underwear (no plastic) don't slip and are so beautifully made - kudos to the creative mind behind this creation."
Pros
- Dark colours used to minimise staining
- Cloth pads made from 100% organic cotton
- Handmade by a small business
Cons
- Only 3 in pack
| Number in pack | 3 in pack |
| Material | 100% cotton/cloth - one layer of waterproof bamboo and one layer of organic cotton |
| Length | 9 inches long |
| Flow suitability | Medium/high flow |
| Washing instructions | After use, rinse in cold water and then pop in washing machine at 40c |
Best reusable sanitary pads for full protection
wearedamewearedame.co
Featuring their own innovative, patent-pending DAMEdry™ technology, these pads feature five layers to provide complete protection when you're menstruating. These pads are so popular that even Emma Watson is a fan! The layers include a fast-absorbing top layer, leak-proof lining and an antimicrobial layer which works hard to prevent any lingering odours. Generally most people feel that it's absorbent and very comfortable. Depending on your flow, you can choose the lighter or heavier ones. One happy reviewer said "I love these. I was afraid traveling would be a problem, but it’s so easy to wash and let them dry. I never have to run to the nearest store to pick up pads and then wastefully dispose of them. I have so much shelf space now that I have these reusable pads."
Pros
- Super absorbent and comfortable
- 5 layers to ensure no leaks
- Fast wicking
- Comes in 4 sizes
- Vegan and organic
Cons
- Some people may find it makes them sweaty compared to pads that have cotton or bamboo as the top layer.
| Number in pack | 1 |
| Material | Organic cotton and waterproof layer inside the pad to prevent leaking |
| Length | 17 cm - 28 cm |
| Flow suitability | Light (liner), medium (regular), to heavy (night) |
| Washing instructions | After use, rinse in cold water until it runs clear. Wash by hand or add to an existing dark load and machine wash up to 40c |
3.
Reusable Sanitary Pads Bamboo Sanitary Towels
best reusable sanitary pad multi pack
amazonThese eco-friendly reusable sanitary pads contain five medium-to-large pads. They provide a soft and comfortable fit suitable for light to medium flow. We love the super-soft, odour-eliminating bamboo charcoal fleece top layer. One review said: "So comfortable and soft often forget you are wearing it but would not recommend for heavy flow even though they absorb brilliantly, they’re not that long they’re regular pad sized so can leak at the back. Do not feel wet to touch even after hours of wearing." It also comes with two internal layers of highly absorbent microfibre, and a leak-proof PUL outer layer. These discreet pads simply snap into place around your underwear with secure poppers.
Pros
- Comes with leakproof layer
- Odour-eliminating bamboo charcoal fleece layer
- Comes with secure poppers
- Quick to dry after washing
Cons
- The fleece part of the pad against the skin is made mostly of polyester and not bamboo
| Number in pack | 5 |
| Material | Bamboo charcoal fleece, absorbent microfibre and PUL (a waterproof and breathable fabric material) to prevent leaks |
| Length | 22 cm |
| Flow suitability | Regular to heavy |
| Washing instructions | Machine washed at 30-40 Degrees on a gentle cycle using non bio detergent |
Best reusable sanitary pads made from organic cotton
Wukawuka.co.uk
These organic cotton eco pads are made with a lining of COOLMAX® technology which keeps your pads leak-proof and come with ultra absorbency. Great for medium flow, they are made from Organic Cotton (GOTS certified) and come with wings and recyclable poppers so no shifting happening here - we know how annoying that can be. We love that you can simply pop these in the wash and leave to air dry and they're ready to go again and again. Just one pair of WUKA (which stands for Wake Up Kick As_s_) Period Pants can save 200 single-use plastic pads from polluting our ocean or going to landfill. Time to make the switch?
Pros
- Good for light incontinence
- Stays dry and odour free
- Comes with a wash bag
- Poppers to help keep in place
Cons
- All black pads and some may prefer a variety of colours
| Number in pack | 2 |
| Material | Organic Cotton (GOTS certified) offcuts from the making of their period underwear |
| Length | 25 cm |
| Flow suitability | Medium (holds up to 20ml of flow) |
| Washing instructions | Washable, both by hand or machine at 40c and line dry |
Best reusable sanitary pads starter pack
ocadowww.ocado.com
We love the idea of this super handy Try Me Pack. It will help you work out which pad works best for your body and flow. The 4-pack starter kit has one of each pad sizes: 1 x Liner, 1 x Light, 1 x Moderate and 1 x Heavy. They are contoured to fit your body and are slimline, comfortable and chemical-free. The washable period pads will last for around ten years or 150 washes! Wow! These eco pads also come with a waterproof and washable wet and dry bag. The stay dry binding and top layer is made of high tech fabric and is the perfect barrier against leaks and keeps wetness away as everything is absorbed within the bamboo core which is what you want. Plus, the soft waterproof exterior made from recycled plastic bottle waste.
Pros
- Comes with washable bag
- Heavy ones are longer than the lighter ones
- Handy starter pack to see which ones suit you/your flow best
Cons
- May take some getting used to depending on your flow
| Number in pack | 4 pack starter kit |
| Material | 100% Recycled Polyester with PU coating Core: 100% Polyester Inner: 53% Recycled Polyester, 47% Polyester |
| Length | Each pad is for each flow |
| Flow suitability | Each pad is for each flow - 1 x liner, 1 x light, 1 x moderate and 1 x heavy |
| Washing instructions | Rinse in cold water immediately after use to stop stains setting and then machine wash at 30c |
best reusable sanitary pads for heavy flow
amazon Made from three distinct fabrics: soft, odour-controlling bamboo charcoal fleece, highly absorbent microfibre, and leak-proof PUL for maximum protection. These eco-friendly, black pads are not only easy to wash but also discreet. These are a safer alternative to others and have been tested to ensure they're free of harmful chemicals. We love that they have been also been designed by women and they also do maternity pads. Each set comes with a discreet black pouch featuring two compartments, so if you're out and about you can separate used and unused pads during bathroom trips. Worry free periods...just like that! One reviewer said that when she has a heavy flow, she only uses them: "I cannot believe how absorbent they are. At first I found them hard to wash but after three months, I've realised that they're really robust and can take a strong wringing out if I've hand-washed them. It's a little tricky to dry them because they're so absorbent but it's totally worth it."
Pros
- Snaps on wings
- Easy to wash
- Designed by women
- Different lenghts available for different flow
Cons
- Some have commented that they are bulky
- Not completely plastic-free, it comes with PUL a type of waterproof plastic
| Number in pack | 6 |
| Material | Bamboo charcoal fleece, microfibre and PUL for maximum protection |
| Length | 30 cm |
| Flow suitability | Heavy |
| Washing instructions | After use, rinse in cold water and then pop in washing machine and line dry |
FAQs reusable sanitary pads
How do reusable sanitary pads work?
They work very similar to disposable sanitary pads in that you just pop them on your pants and fasten them with poppers or wings. The only difference is that they come in different colour, use natural fabric and can be washed and reused over and over again saving you a fortune down the line.
How do you wash reusable sanitary pads?
The most popular way is my washing them with cold water and then popping them in the washing machine on a 30 or 40 degree wash.
How long do reusable sanitary pads last?
You can buy a few to begin with and if used and looked after correctly, reusable sanitary pads can last you a lifetime.
About the author
Keya Modessa, is our Senior Digital Writer and brings over a decade of experience from the digital realm to Mother&Baby. As a mother of two, Keya understands the joys and challenges of modern parenthood and uses her own experience, to give practical advice. Keya has worked across national publications including glossy women's mags, Food and Travel, and more recently as digital lead for Muddy Stilettos.