*AD – Items have been gifted but all thoughts are my own.*
Auntie Flo. Surfing the crimson wave. Time of the month. Got the painters and decorators in. Code Red. On the blob. Whatever you want to call it, it all means the same thing – your period.
Did you know the average age for starting your period is 12? However, they can start as early as age 9! And on average, menopause will start at about 51.
That’s 39 years of periods! Obviously, not taking into account pregnancy.
I want to hit you with a few facts right now and do a little bit of maths.
On average, a period lasts 5-7 days. Approximately 5 pads will be worn per day, depending on flow.
Basing it on the minimum of 5 days and 5 pads used per day, that’s 25 pads per period. 300 pads per year. That’s approximately 11,700 in a lifetime. That’s just ONE person.
Obviously, I haven’t taken any time away for pregnancy. And it’s been based on a 5 day length period and 5 pads used per day. For heavy flows, you’ll be using a lot more pads or tampons.
The Problem With Disposable Sanitary Products
Based on the above, that is a LOT of landfill!
Another problem with disposable sanitary products is that people are STILL flushing them down the toilet! Tampons and sanitary towels do not break down like toilet tissue. They are designed to absorb fluid. They can clog the plumbing and cause blockages. You don’t want all that coming back up your toilet!
Also, did you know that due to the plastic in disposable sanitary products, it takes between 500 and 800 YEARS to decompose!! I am shocked!
Eco-Friendly Period Products
But have no fear. Today, I am sharing with you how you can make your periods more eco-friendly with these reusable menstrual products.
Period Pants
These are specially designed knickers made from a special type of fabric that is super-absorbent and eliminates odour. The absorbent gusset soaks everything up and locks it away to help keep you feeling fresh, clean, and dry.
When it’s time to change your pants, you rinse them under cool water, pop them in the wash, air dry and they’re ready to be used again and again.
Menstrual Cup
Menstrual cups are small funnel-shaped cups, usually made of rubber or silicone with a stem or ring at the bottom. It is flexible and inserted into the vagina to catch all of the blood.
Depending on your flow, or once every 4 to 12 hours, you remove the cup, empty, rinse, then re-insert it.
Reusable Pads
I’ll admit it, the first time I heard of reusable sanitary pads, I wasn’t so keen on the idea. However, since giving birth and having my operation, the idea of using tampons or a cup really does not appeal to me! So I did some research and the more I looked into reusable pads, the more I liked the sound of them.
And it’s these beautiful spotty reusable pads from Cherriful that I want to talk to you about today!

Benefits Of Using Cherriful Reusable Pads
Save Money
Feminine hygiene products are expensive! A packet of sanitary pads costs approximately £5.00. Say you buy two packets per period. That’s £120.00 per year! Over the course of an entire menstrual lifetime, that’s approximately £4,680! I don’t know about you, but I can think of a lot better things to spend my money on.
A starter kit from Cherriful, including 5x pads, a carry bag, and a washing bag, will cost you £34.95. And as long as they are taken care of, the Cherriful reusable pads should last you around two years!
Wash On A Lower Temperature
You actually have to wash reusable pads at a lower temperature. Once you are finished with a pad, you should rinse it with cold water. It’s important to use cool or cold, rather than hot water as cool water is better at removing blood.
Once you are done, fold the pad up and pop it into the provided wet bag or in the mesh wash bag, and pop it in the wash! They’re absolutely fine to go in with your other bits in the wash. It’s best not to add any bleaches or softeners as these can affect the absorbency of the pads.

Suitable For Use After Giving Birth
One thing I found very odd about maternity pads, is the fact they don’t have wings! I never felt very secure wearing maternity pads. The Cherriful pads not only have wings but they are also super soft and should help cushion your lady garden.
Do Not Contain Any Chemicals
You don’t get any nasty chemicals in Cherriful reusable pads as you do with disposable pads, so they are great for sensitive skin. Plus, you really don’t want any nasties next to your flange, do you?
You Feel Comfortable And Secure
The Cherriful heavy flow reusable pads have 4 layers so all odours and fluids are trapped safely inside. The top layer is made of bamboo terry which is both super soft and ultra-absorbent. The pads are also 29cm long and fasten in your underwear with a popper. I felt safe and secure using them. And I cannot begin to tell you how comfortable they are. I even forgot that I was wearing them, that’s how comfortable they are.
Conclusion
And for those lighter days, you have the option of the Cherriful Reusable Liners too.
I have been converted. I can’t imagine ever going back to single-use sanitary towels. Why would I, when the eco-friendly option is so beautiful with Cherriful? It’s never been easier to make the switch to being more environmentally friendly, so what are you waiting for?
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1 comment
I love the large focus on sustainable periods that’s been going around over the past few months. I use period panties and they’ve honestly changed my life. It’s crazy to think of how much waste I was using before! x