Period soaking goodness the earth and body-friendly way
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Much like disposal diapers, clay cat litter and bleach-based toilet bowl cleaner most tampons and maxi-pads aren't all that good for the earth. They don't biodegrade well, frequently contain materials that don't degrade at all, and often have chemicals that science has determined (then changed its mind and changed it again) is not good for women's bodies. Here I'm thinking of bleach, rayon and some deodorants. While playing with blood is frequently left to doctors, for those who have ever had to scrub out a blood stain or change a diaper here are a few earth and body-friendly alternatives to period absorption.
- Sea sponges. Most sea sponges sold in the bath care section of your drug store are synthetic. You'll want a natural sea sponge, like Sea Pearls, which are also sustainably harvested. Sea sponges fit into your vagina like a tampon. They can be reused for up to six months at a time. The downside is that they can also be messy. Toxic Shock Syndrome is possible with these soakers and cleaning is critical.
- Flannel and jersey cloth. A new twist on an old school favorite. Flannel with hemp, cotton and silk combine for a comfy, cloth-based absorption product. The upshot is that you can reuse these endlessly and they won't fill a landfill or fill you up with toxins. The downsides, for some, is that these are pads and you'll want to be wary of what else you wash them with. Amy's Rag Bag and Glad Rags are two common brands. Amy's Rag Bag are made with second-hand materials.
- The Moon Cup and the Keeper. The Keeper has been around for several decades now. It's a rubber cup with a stem that fits over your cervix and catches your flow. The Moon Cup is silicon-based and better for latex sensitivity. When the cup is full blood will run down the stem letting you know it's time to empty. These are endlessly reusable, come in two sizes and the company boasts of its environmental credentials. A Canadian company also makes a very similar Diva Cup. Cleaning is essential.
- Instead Softcup is a disposable version of the period cup. It looks like a diaphram with a latex ring and a soft plastic (think sandwich bag) depression to hold your flow. You can use these for up to twelve hours at a time. Some women wash and reuse these. It's not recommended. While these are disposable and not made of organic materials the upshot is that you would use produce less product waste and avoid the risk of TSS. Another downside, though, is that if you don't seat the cup just right you'll bleed all over yourself.
- Natracare tampons are a more organic option for those in need of tampons. The tampons are organic cotton and non-chlorine bleached. You can also buy them without an applicator. o.b. tampons are also applicator-free. But they aren't organic cotton and do contain rayon and polyester.
Happy bleeding.
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