Clean Beauty Products The 8 Best Reusable Menstrual Pads of 2023 Save money and the planet with these sustainable pads. By Steph Dyson Steph Dyson Steph Dyson is a bilingual freelance travel writer, guidebook author, and blogger originally from the UK. She covers sustainability and adventure travel for Treehugger. Learn about our editorial process Updated September 1, 2022 Share Twitter Pinterest Email Clean Beauty Products Tips & Techniques We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Getty How you choose to handle your period is a deeply personal choice. Going zero-waste isn't possible for everyone, depending on your body, comfort, job, and other circumstances. However, it's undeniable that single-use menstrual products can have a huge environmental impact. People with periods can use anywhere between five and 15 thousands pads or tampons during their lifetime. The average pad containing the equivalent of four plastic shopping bags. If you're looking to reduce the number of disposable products in your life or even avoid them altogether, there are a number of great options available. You can consider a menstrual cup, period underwear, a DIY pad, or one of the reusable pads recommended here. These pads should last for years—and save you hundreds of dollars to boot. We consulted with an OB/GYN, deeply researched the market, and tested top products to find the best reusable menstrual pads. The Rundown Best Overall: Aisle Maxi Pad at Periodaisle.com Jump to Review Best Budget: Hesta Organic Reusable Cloth Menstrual Pads at Amazon Jump to Review Best No-Shift: Party in My Pants Delphi Pad at Partypantspads.com Jump to Review Best for Heavy Flow: GladRags Organic Night Pads Plus at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Light Flow: Smartliners Regular Pad at Earthhero.com Jump to Review Best Organic Cotton: Rael Organic Cotton Reusable Pads at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Hiding Stains: Knix Reusable Pads at Knix Jump to Review Best Underwear-Pad Combo: Aisle Bikini at Periodaisle.com Jump to Review Best Overall Aisle Maxi Pad 4.8 Aisle View On Periodaisle.com Replacing over 238 disposable pads across its lifetime, the Maxi Pad from Aisle is our top choice. Measuring 10 inches in length and offering the absorbency of up to four tampons, this reusable menstrual pad gives protection from leaks and won’t bunch or shift during the day. Aisle’s pads are available in various lengths to match your flow and body type. Available in a range of fun print designs and more subtle, panty-matching colors, these pads combine a layer of moisture-wicking, technical cotton that sits next to the skin, layered on top of an ultra-absorbent recycled polyester core. These pads can go in your washer and dryer. All materials are Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified for enhanced confidence that Aisle’s products are safe safe for sensitive areas. Even better, this company a certified B Corporation that has been proactive in supporting access to hygiene products for communities across the world—something we can all get behind. Price at time of publish: $19 Best Budget Hesta Organic Reusable Cloth Menstrual Pads Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon All of the reusable pads on this list will pay for themselves over time, but if you’re on a budget, these organic pads from Hesta are the most affordable. Three layers of breathable organic cotton are supported with a layer leakproof made of non-toxic polyurethane, plus wings that snap in place to keep these pads secure and unnoticeable. Extremely soft to touch, there’s no way you’ll be missing your disposable pads after a few hours with these. Although they come in an unbleached white design, they don’t stain, so every use will feel as fresh and comfortable as the first. Best No-Shift Party in My Pants Delphi Pad Courtesy of Party in My Pants View On Partypantspads.com “Cute” is certainly not a word anyone would expect to use when it comes to menstrual pads, but it really does apply to Delphi Pad. Pick from dozens of pattern designs across their range, with the Delphi Pad also available in everything from flannel to cotton and organic cotton, for a wider range of ethical designs. Intended for medium to heavy flows, this pad has more length at the front than conventional designs, making it a good fit for active days. You can rely on it to provide the protection you need while walking the dog, out hiking in the mountains, or taking your favorite exercise class. Price at time of publish: $15 The 8 Best Menstrual Cups of 2023 Best for Heavy Flow GladRags Organic Night Pads Plus Amazon View On Amazon View On Gladrags.com Night Pads from GladRags include two extra-long inserts that you can use alone or together, depending on your needs. Measuring 14 inches in length and wider than conventional pads, they work for both heavy flows and provide overnight protection so comfortable it has been described as like “sleeping on a cloud.” Cotton flannel on the outside makes these pads especially soft, and the highly absorbent cotton terrycloth on the inside makes them a good choice for heavy-flow days. These adaptable can also be used post-partum. Manufactured in the United States using 100% unbleached, undyed, GOTS-certified organic cotton, these are an all-around green choice. Price at time of publish: $21 Doctor's Pick These Night Pads from GladRags are a favorite for OBD/GYN Dr. Stephanie Colver, who says "the most effective style of reusable pads are the envelope-style pantyliner and holder.” They allow you to “select and customize pad inserts according to menstrual flow needs.” Best for Light Flow Smartliners Regular Pad 4.8 Courtesy of Smartliners View On Earthhero.com View On Existgreen.com View On Fillandrefill.com Easy to fit into your underwear thanks to their velcro hook and loop closure system, these plain black pads are made entirely from organic cotton, without even a whiff of plastic. This means extra breathability and impressive absorbency for a minimum of bulk. Measuring nine inches in length, this reusable pad is good to go for lighter days or people with a light flow. It also is sold with a handy travel pouch, where you can discreetly store fresh pads between washes or used pads on the go. "I have a slim build and a light flow, and these pads work well for me. In a pinch, I could use one of these pads for an entire day. I also like that they come in a cardboard tube, with no plastic packaging." ~ Margaret Badore, Associate Editorial Director Price at time of publish: $13 Best Organic Cotton Rael Organic Cotton Reusable Pads Courtesy of Rael View On Amazon View On Getrael.com Five layers of soft, moisture-wicking organic cotton are built into these eco-friendly pads. Rael says you can wash and reuse these pads up to 120 times, but we suspect you'll be able to use them long after that. The organic cotton offers breathability, air flow, and odor control, to help your intimate parts stay free of any irritation or infection associated with the materials and ingredients found in conventional pads. If you’ve found pads sometimes bunch or slip, Rael’s use of wings are there to give you extra security and coverage to prevent leaks. They’re also surprisingly thin for the coverage they offer. Price at time of publish: $37 The 8 Best Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergents of 2023 Best for Hiding Stains Knix Regular Reusable Pads Knix View On Knix Dark colors are great for hiding stains. These pads from Knix come in a three pack, and can hold 12 teaspoons of blood. They’re made from a four layers that combine nylon, spandex, modal, and polyester, and they use a hook and eye closure. They’re both machine washable and can go in the dryer. We also like that purchases of these pads support Black Women’s Health Imperative’s Positive Period Campaign. Price at time of publish: $36 Best Underwear-Pad Combo Aisle Bikini Aisle View On Periodaisle.com Aisle’s unparalleled range of period underwear can hold impressively high flows: we’re talking over four tampons’ worth. It’s for this reason they’re one of our favorites when it comes to sustainable period wear. Therefore, if you’re seeking a 100% reliable panty, then look no further than a bikini and booster combo. This cute bikini underwear is made from quick-wicking mesh, OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Certified fibers and breathable organic cotton. Take it up a protective notch by combining with their specially-designed boosters: washable pads that will increase the absorbency of the undies the equivalent of additional two tampons. Price at time of publish: $42 Final Verdict We love everything from Aisle, which is why we recommend the Maxi Pad. There isn’t a whole lot separating many of the pads we suggest when it comes to cost, but Hesta’s organic reusable menstrual pads are a particularly affordable option. What to Consider When Shopping for Reusable Menstrual Pads Your Flow Like disposable pads, reusable pads come in different levels of thickness and absorbency, including extra-absorbent overnight pads designed to ensure you don’t wake to a leak. For many people, a variable flow makes it handy to have a few different options to choose from. Gynecologist Dr. Stephanie Culver, a board certified obstetrician-gynecologist at Pandia Health, recommends using reusable pads alongside menstrual cups on heavier days. Material Look for “reusable pads that use only cotton–and even better–certified organic cotton,” says Dr. Culver. “The cotton-only fabric allows for absorption and less skin irritation, as well as breathability, air flow, and odor control.” There are also a range of popular pads that use technical synthetics fabrics, like polyester, which are designed to have wicking and absorbing properties. However, these materials are less eco-friendly than organic cotton. Your Lifestyle Reusable pads are a great way to reduce waste, but they can add complexity to your day. If you’ll be wearing them away from home, plan on also carrying a water-proof bag to store your used pads. Another option is to only use reusable pads when you’re at home, and pack disposables for when you’re out and about. You’ll still be cutting down on the total number of throwaway items you need per month. Frequently Asked Questions Are reusable menstrual pads safe and sanitary to use? Yes, but it’s important to change them regularly and clean them after each use. “Reusable pads need to be changed as often as disposables, every two to five hours as needed for hygienic concerns as well as safety,” says Dr. Stephanie Culver, a board certified obstetrician-gynecologist.Another issue associated with plastic menstrual pads is that they create a moisture-rich environment where yeast and other infections can thrive. So for people prone to these issues, choosing a fabric pad may help reduce your risk. How to do you clean reusable menstrual pads? To keep your reusable pads clean and hygienic, laundry instructions do vary across products but most are designed to fit into your regular laundry routine. After each use, give them a quick rinse with cold water, followed by a wash as part of your next load. Due to numerous layers, some can take longer to dry than you might expect, so make sure you have a few extra clean pads on standby—or mix and match with a menstrual cup or period underwear—to get you through your period.It’s OK if your pads eventually get stained, you can keep using them. Black or dark colors are generally better at hiding blood. However, white pads can be bleached. Many products also come with their own wet bag for storing used pads until you can pop them in the wash. How many pads do you need? That depends a lot on how heavy your period is, how long it lasts, and if you’ll be combining them with other period products. One rule of thumb is to have five clean pads per day of your period, if that’s the only menstrual product you plan to use. If you do laundry every day, you might only need two sets. However, it's a good idea to have extras or some other kind of backup product. Why Trust Treehugger? Treehugger writers have tried dozens of zero-waste period products in the effort to help our readers learn about all the choices out there. Author Steph Dyson spent months debating the switch from conventional, single-use pads and tampons to reusable period products, only to find that the latter were easy to use and made both her conscience and her nether regions feel great. She’s used a range of period underwear, pads, and cups for the past four years and loves helping other people make the switch. To make this list, she also consulted with a board certified obstetrician-gynecologist about what to look for in reusable period products. The Best Period Underwear of 2023, According to Our Tests