Aunt Flo never meant to cause so much eco-harm, but her monthly visits contribute significantly to the plastic pollution crisis.
20 billion disposable pads and tampons enter North American waterways and landfills annually, which will take hundreds (if not thousands) of years to decompose.
The solution?
Reusable period pads and sustainable period underwear, which not only have environmental benefits but are also healthier for our menstrual flow and more cost-effective.
Wait…period pads? Reusable? Say what?
It’s no joke. Using a circular approach to managing nature’s cycles, the best reusable menstrual pads ensure your next one is sustainable, safe, effective, and yes, hygienic.
And that’s exactly what we’ve curated in this list, brands who ensure responsible materials, ethical labor, and chemical-free products. Did we mention you’ll save an average of $150/year?!
We independently research all featured brands and we ask them to confirm their claims. In many cases we personally review recommended products. This post contains affiliate links which means we may earn a commission if you buy something. Learn more here.
The Best Reusable Pads, Period
Rael keeps it real with highly-rated reusable sanitary pads, all featuring a 100% certified organic and non-GMO cotton cover.
You’ve never been so glad to be on the rag, thanks to GladRags’ whimsically patterned 100% organic pads with wings. We’ve tested them, and they get our vote for comfort.
hannah sells OCS-certified cotton cloth period pads and works to combat period poverty by donating products on three continents.
Index: Reusable Menstrual Pads
- Rael Jump to brand
- The Period Company Jump to brand
- GladRags Jump to brand
- Bloom Pads Jump to brand
- Padtastic Jump to brand
- Smartliners Jump to brand
- Hannah Jump to brand
Rael
Rael’s Period Products
Price: $34 for 3
Rael keeps your period real with an environmentally-friendly glow-up of the classic period care item you know and love.
Lightweight and super absorbent, Rael organic cotton reusable pads are made with a five-layer cotton body that wicks away moisture and can be reused 120 times.
They’re made of an 100% organic cotton top and absorbent layers, with the backing made of 99% cotton and 1% polyurethane. The snap closure for your underwear is 100% cotton with nickel snaps.
Available in four sizes, their breathable comfort and trustworthy leak protection means even your most sensitive lady bits can breathe easy during your monthly bleed and after, because their machine washable status makes cleanup a breeze.
Rael’s reusable pantyliners are also available for a lighter flow.
About Rael
Rael is made for real people looking for period products made of real and organic materials.
In addition to reusable cloth menstrual pads and period underwear, they also offer disposable organic pads and organic tampons.
The female-founded Korean-American company creates clean menstrual products to foster menstrual dignity, regardless of a person’s status, gender, or ethnicity.
For charitable giving, Rael partners with I Support the Girls, who collect and deliver underwear, bras, and period products to people experiencing homelessness, poverty, or distress.
The Period Company
The Period Company’s Pads
Price Range: $20 for 5
“Flowing is knowing” according to The Period Company, whose organic reusable pads offer some of the most affordable, absorbent, clean and comfortable coverage around.
The pad body is 95% organic cotton with 5% spandex jersey, the absorbent layer is 100% polyester, and the leak proof layer is 100% polyester PUL.
Their fabrics are all rigorously tested by a third party company to ensure they’re compliant with industry standards and best practices.
Fabric is free of PFAS toxins, and more on their safety here.
Each pad absorbs 10 tablespoons, or 8-10 tampons, worth of blood and pads come as one size fits all.
About The Period Company
The Period Company was started by founder Karla after her non-binary child first got their period.
Recognizing the lack of gender-neutral, reusable, and toxin-free choices on the market, she decided to develop sustainable, effective, and accessible organic period underwear.
The Period Company “believe periods are a superpower and when we tune into them and just flow, some incredible things might happen”.
Besides trans and women’s rights advocacy, they donate to period care access and also give buyers the community donation option to cover the costs of shipping products to refugees around the world via Choose Love.
GladRags
GladRags’ Pads
Price: $15–$25 each
You can (almost) be glad that you’re on the rag with GladRags‘ best organic reusable menstrual pads.
Each one features a three-part design that can accommodate 1-3 of their absorbent inserts according to your flow.
Not only are their cotton menstrual pads reusable, but they’re designed to fit all kinds of organic underwear—including a reusable thong pantyliner.
These are guaranteed to last at least five years, which totals thousands of disposables saved from our landfills and hundreds of dollars saved in your wallet.
About GladRags
GladRags is an independently female-owned business and Certified B Corp providing reusable period options for thirty years.
Everything is made in the USA, materials are sourced locally from woman-owned suppliers, and they ship worldwide in recycled, recyclable, and/or biodegradable packaging.
To stay sustainable, the Portland, Oregon-based business uses considerate approaches like a local bike delivery to receive finished goods from their local sewing partner. They also put fabric scraps to good use in the community.
Community initiatives include sponsored period supplies and donation campaigns.
My Personal Review of GladRag’s Reusable Pads:
“I’m a firm believer in period panties, and after experiencing their comfort and convenience, I swore I’d never try pads again. Well, I made an exception when given the chance to test these reusable ones. While I do find them a little more bulky and noticeable than period pads, they’re a HUGE improvement on traditional pads. No diaper feel here! So, if you still prefer pads, I highly recommend them, as I think they’re about as comfortable as pads can get.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Bloom Pads
Bloom Pads’ Cloth Pads
Price: $9 each
Bloom Pads harnesses the plant power of bamboo by creating handmade washable menstrual pads made from organic bamboo fleece.
Pads and pantyliners made of organic cotton are also available, along with thong pads and pantyliners made of organic bamboo or cotton.
The anti-leak layer is made of PUL, while the back is printed cotton with snaps made of polyresin applied with a heavy duty snap press.
Comparing period underwear vs pads, countless reviewers have commented how Bloom’s reusable pads are far more comfortable, effective, absorbent, stain-free, and leak-proof than period underwear.
These allergen and scent-free pads are sold in seven different sizes for lighter days or heavy flow: panty liner, ultra-thin, regular, moderate, maxi/ super, overnight, and maternity.
Everything comes in a kaleidoscope of fun patterns and designs, all made of sustainable dyes safe for your nether regions.
About Bloom Pads
Latvia-based Bloom Pads is a positively blooming Etsy-shop with a star seller rating thanks to owner Kristina’s effective handmade products and stellar customer service.
Everything is zero-waste, handcrafted with love, and made to help women embrace a more natural cycle by using more natural materials for that time of the month.
Padtastic
Padtastic’s Cotton Pads
Price: $16–$140 for 1–10
Padtastic has a wide assortment of cute and comfy pads and panty liners, making them oh-so-soft and truly fantastic… err, padtastic.
They sell three different kinds, RegularWings, Lightwings, and DailyWings, each available as 6, 7, 8, or 9 inches.
Their cloth pads are truly leakproof and sure to stay in shape throughout the day – and night! Providing the ultimate protection.
They’re all cotton-based, but not all organic, so be sure to limit your search to those using an all organic cotton cover atop the PUL leakproof barrier.
We love the array of different funky colors and patterns, ranging from Christmas designs to astrology and tarot patterns, rainbow hearts, tropical wallpaper, cute florals, psychedelic paw prints, and more.
About Padtastic
Etsy-seller Padtastic calls themself “your destination for high quality cloth pads,” with thousands of glowing (and flowing) five-star reviews.
From panty liners for daily wear to heavy flow, overnight and even postpartum protection, Padtastic has it all.
Every order ships with a carbon-offset, and comes with a lovingly illustrated care instruction card for the ultimate pad longevity and durability.
Smartliners
Smartliners’ Reusable Panty Liners
Price: $13–$14 each
It comes as no surprise that Smartliners are about as smart as it gets for your private bits and the environment, with pads and pantyliners made of 100% OCS and GOTS-certified organic cotton.
After use, just fold and attach it together, place it in the handy wet bag they come with, and throw it into your eco-friendly washing machine.
They’re designed with a velcro hook and loop wing making it easy to stick on your underwear, which you don’t have to worry about getting stained thanks to Smartliners absorbency.
They also have hardly any bulk, making it easy to live in self-confidence and comfort.
You’ll be using your Smartliners for years to come, and when it’s time to part ways, remove the recycled velcro component and these pads are 100% biodegradable.
About Smartliners
Better for your body, better for the planet, better for your comfort, and better for your budget, Smartliners is passionate about changing the way you approach your crimson flow.
The company is female owned and operated in Canada, with a Bangladeshi factory that is socially certified.
Every reusable pad is sold in recyclable cardboard packaging and ships in recyclable content made of recycled materials.
Hannah
hannah’s Cotton Menstrual Pads
Price: $28–$42 for 2–3
Reviews for hannah’s large certified organic cotton reusable pads are bloody fantastic.
The overnight pads are likewise praised for their leak protection and absorbency without a bulky feeling down there.
They’re also ultra soft, super absorbent, and easy to wash.
“Like a soft cloud!” writes one happy Etsy period purchaser.
About hannah
hannah was founded by none other than Hannah, whose mission is to leave the world a cleaner, healthier, and better place.
After finding her own period pains were alleviated from the use of natural products, and inspired that they also reduced menstrual waste, Hannah began selling her own cloth menstral pads.
hannah’s non-toxic menstrual cups and pads are manufactured in Seoul, South Korea, and hannah donates feminine hygiene products to women suffering from period poverty on three continents.
