1. Cloth pads are better for your health.
"Over the past three years, feminine hygiene products have been turning up contaminated by PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Also known as “forever chemicals,” these ubiquitous and persistent manufacturing chemicals have been linked by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to a range of health ills, including: decreased fertility, high blood pressure in pregnant people, increased risk of certain cancers, developmental delays and low birthweight in children, hormonal disruption, high cholesterol, reduced effectiveness of the immune system—leading to decreased efficacy of vaccines—and more.
The concentrations found in feminine hygiene products tend to be much higher than those permitted in tap water, and while they are not ingested the way water is, they are potentially just as dangerous since the vaginal area is exceedingly vascularized, making it more vulnerable to contaminants." https://time.com/6254060/pfas-period-chemicals-underwear-tampons/"
Pretty scary, right? Our cloth pads are free of harmful chemicals, PFOS, PFOA, lead, dioxins, heavy metals, BPA, phthalates, and hypo-allergenic. Which would you rather have up against your vagina?? So many women struggle with monthly rashes caused by disposables that make it very uncomfortable and painful. By the time they heal, it's time for their cycle to start again.
2. Cloth pads are better for your wallet.
Over time, using cloth pads can save money compared to constantly purchasing disposable pads, which can be a satisfying feeling of financial empowerment.
While the initial cost of purchasing a cloth pad may be higher than that of disposable pads, a single cloth pad can last for MANY years, outlasting numerous disposable pads. It's estimated that one cloth pad can replace approximately 200 disposable pads. The amount of money you save will depend on your typical usage of disposable products during your cycle or how often you have bladder leaks or are wearing your pads for discharge and sweat. The earlier you invest in cloth pads, the greater the long-term financial savings.
Consider the average menstrual lifespan of a woman, which is about 38 years, or roughly 494 months (38 years x 13 periods per year). If disposable products cost $10 per month, (though with how expensive everything is getting, who knows how much these products will cost in the future) you would spend $4,940 (nearly $5,000) on disposable period products over your lifetime (and that doesn't include incontinence pads used after menopause). These are ONE-TIME-use products!! Now compare this to the cost of investing in cloth pads. Depending on how many and from where you buy your cloth pads, as well as what kind of quality they are, your cloth pads could last 10+ years. You would save THOUSANDS! You may not be discovering cloth pads as soon as you start your period, but no matter when you start using them, you'll be saving money. Even if you start using cloth pads later in life, you can set an example and inspire the younger generations to make the switch. 
3. Cloth pads are better for the environment.
It’s estimated that the average menstruator will use over 11,000 disposables in their lifetime1. Then you think about all the incontinence products on top of that, and it's a LOT of waste! Since 90% of disposable pads are plastic, they can take 500-800 YEARS to only PARTIALLY biodegrade, and some say it takes at least 1,000 to start biodegrading2. Even when they do start degrading, they release toxic chemicals like chlorine and dioxins that can hurt animals, and humans alike.3
It's pretty shocking if you think about it. There has to be a better way (and there is)! Fig Tree pads are reusable and will last 10+ years. Our pads are also designed to hold .5 C/4oz of fluid (that's equivalent to 23 regular tampons)! Think of how many disposables you're replacing and how much plastic you are keeping out of our landfills and oceans!
4. Cloth pads are empowering
Many individuals report feeling more positive and connected to their bodies after switching to cloth pads. People look forward to getting to use their beautiful pads that they picked out themselves, fostering a positive mindset toward their period, daily discharge, or light incontinence. Society doesn't talk much about these things, but by challenging societal taboos and offering gorgeous, fun, comfortable alternatives, we aim to empower individuals to embrace their natural cycles and daily struggles with leaks, sweat, discharge, or periods without shame or stigma. You can feel confident, knowing no matter where you are or who you are, you'll be covered.
There is a whole community of individuals who are ditching disposables. Knowing we are all part of a movement that is making a VERY real (and POSITIVE) impact on our planet, health, and future is remarkable! Please check us out on social media as we build a community that can support one another, answer each other's questions and share OUR stories and journey with cloth pads. Head over to our shop to pick out YOUR new cloth pad!
With Love,
Jenny
References:
- Menstruation and Sanitary protection/Femcare market facts and figures, (2007), Absorbent Hygiene Products Manufacturers http://www.ahpma.co.uk/docs/Menstruation%20Facts%20and%20Figs.pdf
- Plastic Planet: How tiny plastic particles are polluting our soil. UNEP 2018.
- Dioxins and their effects on human health, (2016), World Health organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dioxins-and-their-effects-on-human-health