The short answer: People switch to reusable cloth pads for three main reasons: they feel softer, they cost far less over time, and they cut down the number of pads thrown away every month. The trade-off is washing and drying. If you have a private place to rinse and dry them, cloth pads are one of the simplest reusable products to start with.
What is a reusable cloth pad?
A cloth pad is shaped like a disposable pad but made of fabric layers: a soft top layer against your skin, absorbent layers in the middle, a leak-resistant base, and wings that wrap under your underwear and close with a snap. After use, you rinse it, wash it, dry it and wear it again.
Fabpad cloth pads come in two sizes:
- Regular, 280 mm: for light to medium days.
- Maxi, 320 mm: for heavy days and overnight.
The top layer is cotton on our off-white, maroon and assorted packs, and a soft microfiber on our pink packs. We also make foldable cloth pads in cotton, with snap buttons and fold lines so they fold small for your bag, and 220 mm reusable cloth panty liners for light days and discharge.
Why people make the switch
1. They feel different on the skin
The first thing most people notice is the feel. A cloth pad has a fabric top instead of a plastic-feeling sheet, it does not crinkle when you move, and it does not stick to your skin. Many people who find disposable pads sweaty or chafing in Indian summers feel the difference within one cycle.
If disposable pads leave you sore or itchy, a cotton-topped cloth pad is worth trying. If irritation continues whatever you use, it is a good idea to see a doctor, because the cause may be something else.
2. They cost far less over time
Here is a simple comparison using prices on fabpad.in at the time of writing (October 2026). Prices change, so check the current ones before you decide.
- Disposable: a pack of 12 Fabpad Ultra Soft Cotton Sanitary Pads costs ₹299, about ₹25 a pad. At 15 pads a cycle, that is around ₹375 a month, or about ₹4,500 a year.
- Reusable: a pack of 8 Fabpad off-white cloth pads costs ₹949 and lasts 100+ washes, or 2 to 3 years.
The cloth pads pay for themselves in about three cycles. Even if you add a bottle of our Panty Wash detergent every few months, two years of cloth pads cost a fraction of two years of disposables.
3. Far fewer pads in the bin
A disposable pad is used once. A cloth pad is used again and again, so each one you reuse is one fewer pad bought, wrapped and thrown away.
A 2021 review of life cycle studies by the UN Environment Programme found that reusable menstrual products generally have lower environmental impacts than single-use ones, as long as they are washed efficiently: rinsing in cold water, washing full loads or in a bucket rather than under a running tap, and line-drying. One study in that review looked at India and found that locally made reusable pads, washed by hand, came out as the preferred option once cost and social factors were included.
4. No more last-minute pad runs
Once you have a set, you always have pads at home. No running out at night, and no rushing to a shop when your period comes early.
The honest downsides
Cloth pads are not for everyone, and it is better to know the trade-offs before you buy:
- Washing: you will rinse and wash pads every day of your period.
- Drying: pads need to dry completely before you use them again, ideally in sunlight. In the monsoon, dry them indoors under a fan, and give them longer.
- Carrying used pads: when you are out, you fold the used pad, snap it shut and carry it home. Our packs of 4 and 8 come with a wash bag for this.
- The upfront cost: a full set costs more on day one than a single pack of disposables, even though it saves money within a few months.
- A learning curve: it can take a cycle or two to learn how often you need to change on your heaviest days.
Many people use cloth pads at home and keep a few disposables for travel or long days out. That works perfectly well.
How many cloth pads do you need, and which ones?
- How many: most people keep 6 to 10, so there is always a clean, dry pad while others are drying.
- Which size: Regular for lighter days, Maxi for heavy days and nights. A mix of both covers a full cycle.
- Which top layer: cotton if your skin is sensitive. Microfiber is a lower-cost option.
- Which colour: maroon and assorted prints show fewer stains over time.
- How to start: if you are unsure, buy a pack of 2 and try them for a cycle before buying more.
What to look for in a good cloth pad
Cloth pads vary a lot in quality. Before you buy, check for:
- Stitching that holds: neat, even stitching around the edges, so the layers do not separate after repeated washing.
- Enough absorbent layers: the middle of the pad should feel padded, not like a single sheet of fabric.
- A leak-resistant base: the underside should feel smooth and slightly different from the top, which shows there is a barrier layer.
- Snaps that close firmly: a loose snap lets the pad slide out of place.
- Clear care instructions and a stated lifespan: a brand that tells you how many washes a pad is designed for is a brand that has tested it.
How to use a cloth pad
- Place the pad in your underwear, soft side up.
- Wrap the wings under the gusset and close the snap.
- Change every 4 to 6 hours, sooner on heavy days.
- To remove, open the snap, fold the pad inwards, snap it shut and put it in your wash bag until you can rinse it.
How to wash and dry cloth pads
- Rinse in cold water as soon as you can, until the water runs clear. Cold water stops blood setting into the fabric; hot water makes stains stick.
- Soak briefly in cold water on heavier days.
- Wash by hand or in the machine with a mild detergent. We recommend Fabpad Panty Wash, about 10 ml per wash.
- Skip bleach and fabric softener. Softener coats the fibres and makes them less absorbent.
- Dry completely, in sunlight if possible. Make sure the thickest part is dry before you store or wear the pad.
- Store clean, dry pads in a clean pouch or drawer.
A little staining is normal over time and does not affect how well the pad works.
Washing and drying in small homes, hostels and the monsoon
Not everyone has a sunny balcony. A few things make cloth pads easier in real Indian homes:
- Keep a small bucket with a lid for rinsing and soaking, so you are not using the family's buckets.
- Dry pads indoors under a fan when it is raining or when you need privacy, and allow a few extra hours.
- Hang pads inside a pillowcase or under another garment on a shared clothes line if you prefer people not to see them. Make sure air still reaches them.
- Own a few more pads than you think you need in the monsoon, so you are never waiting for one to dry.
- In hostels, rinse pads in the bathroom as soon as you change, and keep them in a wash bag until you can do a full wash.
When to replace a cloth pad
With proper care, each Fabpad cloth pad lasts 100+ washes, or 2 to 3 years. Replace a pad when:
- it starts to leak even though you are changing it on time
- the fabric has worn thin or the absorbent layers feel flat
- the snap no longer closes securely
Cloth pads, period panties or cloth liners?
All three are reusable. The difference is how you wear them:
- Cloth pads sit in your regular underwear, so you can switch between them and disposables easily. They are usually the cheapest way to try reusable period care.
- Period panties have the absorbent layers built in, so there is nothing to place or snap. Each pair holds 80 to 100 ml and is worn for up to 8 hours.
- Cloth panty liners are thinner, for light days, spotting and everyday discharge.
Many people use a mix: cloth pads during the day, period panties at night, and liners for the last light days.
Tips for your first cycle
- Start on a lighter day at home, so you can see how the pad feels and how often you need to change.
- Keep one or two disposable pads in your bag for the first cycle, just in case.
- Use a Maxi pad at night.
- Rinse each pad as soon as you take it off. It makes washing much easier.
Frequently asked questions
Are cloth pads hygienic?
Yes, when they are rinsed, washed with detergent, dried completely and replaced when worn out. Hygiene problems come from damp or poorly washed cloth, not from cloth pads themselves.
Do cloth pads smell?
Not when changed on time and rinsed promptly. Odour comes from blood sitting too long, so change every 4 to 6 hours and rinse soon after.
Can I use cloth pads overnight?
Yes. Choose the 320 mm Maxi pad for nights and heavy days.
Do cloth pads leak?
The leak-resistant base and snap wings keep flow in. Leaks usually happen when a pad is worn too long or the size is too small for the day, so switch to Maxi on heavier days.
Are cloth pads suitable for teenagers?
Yes. Many girls find them comfortable from their first period. A parent can help with the washing routine for the first few cycles.
How long do Fabpad cloth pads last?
100+ washes, or 2 to 3 years with proper care.
Sources
- United Nations Environment Programme (2021). Single-use menstrual products and their alternatives: Recommendations from Life Cycle Assessments.
- Fabpad product information and prices on fabpad.in, October 2026.