Cotton Sanitary Pads vs Bamboo Charcoal Cloth Sanitary pads

At Cheeky we have been users of cloth sanitary pads (now alongside our period pants for many years!

One question that we get asked a lot is 'Cotton Sanitary Pads vs Bamboo Charcoal Cloth Sanitary pads' Which are best?

Our bamboo & plush menstrual pads were our OG period pads.  But then some of you told us you preferred a thinner pad and some of you requested an organic option.  We listened, as we always do!

We sourced these lovely pads which are 100% cotton, making them cool against your skin and more grippy in your knickers, so less likely to move around if you have a phsyical job.  What do you think of them?

Our gorgeous pads come in two organic cotton options and two cotton options.  Both are very cool against your skin and lovely to wear!  Pink Flower and Erin Flower are both organic cotton and Plaid and Love heart are both 100% cotton (one layer is laminated with PUL, however the layer is so thin, it is less than 1%!)

As you can see from the pictures below, the pads all have a laminated outer printed cotton layer, then one or two layers of absorbent cotton (or organic cotton), plus a cotton top layer.

Size Matters!

The standard liners, day pads and night pads are the same size as our bamboo & minky pads:

• Cotton Panty Liners - 22cm x 7 cm
• Cotton Reusable Sanitary Day Pads - 24cm x 7cm
• Cotton Cloth Sanitary Pads for Night / maternity / heavy flow pads  - 28cm x 7cm

In addition, we've introduced an XL night / maternity pads which is 30cm x 7cm, perfect for overnight or heavy maternity use.

How does that compare to the plush & bamboo / bamboo charcoal reusable sanitary pads?

Our minky & bamboo / bamboo charcoal reusable pads are thicker, with a microfibre core which means they are more absorbent.  This means you probably won't need to change them as often.  I find that I can change my pad twice during the 1st day of my period, plus one for overnight - with the newer cotton pads, I might change three times, just for the heaviest day of my period, then down to twice a day.  Ofg course everyone is different, but I am probably 'average'.

Cotton is a matt fabric, so is much less likely to move around in your knickers - although tight pants will generally sort out any slippage issues with the plush pads.

So which do we recommend?

It just comes down to personal preference.  

We really like the bamboo / charcoal washable pads for the first day or our period, but are then happy to switch to the cotton / organic cotton for remaining days - and those days between periods when you need a liner.  If you're a disposable pad user and prefer a thinner pad, then go for the cotton or organic cotton, but if you need a thicker pad, then the bamboo / charcoal would be best for you.

If you prefer a natural fabric in contact with your skin, then the cotton or organic cotton will be best for you of course.  It is also cooler to wear against your skin than the bamboo / charcoal.