Plastic free periods
Are reusable period products Sanitary??
Needless to say, not all women have the heart to wash off their period blood with their own hands thoroughly. In fact, for women, who get a heavy menstrual flow, washing, and cleaning frequently due to frequent changes can be particularly difficult.
From a sustainability point of view as well as a health angle, reusable cloth pads and menstrual cups are absolutely safe to use—but not without practising enough caution.
While proper cleaning and drying of these pads and cups should remain your topmost priority if you choose to give them a try, you’ve got to keep the following precautions in mind as well:
1. Women with blood-borne infections like hepatitis C, HIV, etc. need to be extra careful while storing and washing these napkins.
2. You should change these pads at regular intervals of 6 hours (maximum) to avoid irritation and infection due to the wetness of these pads. And also drain your menstrual cup.
3. Either wash them immediately after using or keep it packed in a plastic bag/ zip-lock bag if immediate washing is not possible.
4. Pre-soak it in regular water for 30 minutes followed by hand wash or machine wash using soap or detergent. Clean thoroughly and then dry in direct sunlight/ open air as they act as natural disinfectants.
5. If you’re using homemade pads, ensure that the fabric used is nicely cleaned and hygienic.
So, ladies, go ahead and use reusable pads and menstrual cups without worry!
