Life giving linen

[DaisyD]

The solution is easy. Just make them yourself. They aren't too hard and could even potentially be done without a sewing machine (though it would be a bit tedious). Joanne even has PUL (polyurethane laminate) now. Back when I was making cloth diapers I had to order it. I still think it's dumb to charge that much for a license to sew some cotton or linen in a rectangular shape...

[salex]

9 hours ago, PennySycamore said:

There was some movie I saw years ago (Wasp Woman perhaps?) where I swear you could see the barest outlines of the main actress's sanitary belt.  I wish I could see that film again and confirm what I think I saw.

 

 

[Walking Cat Bed]

My roommate has a stash of linen napkins, which we both use on a daily basis.

As napkins.

To wipe our hands and faces.

They don't touch bums.

[docmom]

As far as I know (and after a quick literature search) an increased risk of menstrual S-TSS has only been associated with vaginal menstrual products (tampons- high absorbency, tissues) and not pads.  This makes sense pathophysiologically because it's overgrowth of toxin producing strains of staph aureus in the vagina that is thought to lead to menstrual toxic shock.  My guess is the FDA does not (and probably can not for political reasons) distinguish between intravaginal and external products.  I'd be surprised if the FDA really cared too much about cloth pads though...

[MamaJunebug]

On February 20, 2016 at 9:08 AM, Gimme a Free RV said:

Thanks for the tour down memory lane, @MamaJunebug.  When my time came along around age 11, those awful strap contraptions were thankfully on their way out but it would be years before I would be wearing protection that wasn't as thick and bulky as a twin mattress.

11, eh? Mine was a week after my 10th birthday. Welcome to the double-digits. 

Your use of the word "mattress" recalls an elephant joke that was popular in the day when a Kotex could be purchased for a nickel from a wall mounted metal box in women's restrooms. 

Ready?

Q: How do you know when your elephant is on the rag?

A: You wake up and your mattress is gone and there's a nickel on your nightstand. 

[smittykins]

I know I've seen print ads for Rely tampons(the very same ones that were taken off the market because of TSS)comparing pads to diapers. 

[Cleopatra7]

I remember reading "Are You There God? It's Me Margaret" back when I was ten (circa 1993), and being really confused by the description of menstrual belts, which didn't jive with anything I'd seen in real life. It's probably for this reason that newer editions of the book have updated the menstrual equipment being used, although I admit that I like the period details, no pun intended. I wish I could use a menstrual cup, but I have ASD, and sticking things in body cavities just doesn't work for me. I guess I should just stick with what works (i.e., pads) and feel thankful I don't have to wrangle with a belt or "plain brown wrappers." The infuriating thing about the "plain brown wrappers" is that pornographic materials also used to be wrapped in that manner, so it was equating feminine hygiene products with porn, like they were something to be ashamed of or something that shouldn't be seen or discussed in public.

[AlysonRR]

I used cloth (cotton) wipes for cleaning babies. I'd sometimes use a disposable wipe for the most of the messy bits, then use the cloth (sprayed with warm water) to clean the rest. 

I'd rather use a bidet seat (don't have one yet, but my mom does - it's great) than cloth wipes in the bathroom, though I believe either are be better than toilet paper.

I love, love, love cloth menstrual pads. No plasticky feel, no adhesives to stick to my skin or hair or to come loose, no rolling like the disposable pad so much less staining of my underwear.

I like linen for kitchen towels (I have some my Swedish grandmother embroidered), and can't imagine it would feel good as wipes or pads, but I've only ever really handled the heavier, scratchy kind of linen.

I'm amused that I have so many opinions on this topic :-)