Cloth sanitary napkins are on the rise, because more and more women are looking for alternative monthly hygiene and products that are sustainable and protect the environment and their wallets equally. Moreover, the purchase of such monthly products is firmly linked to certain shopping habits in our mind. So it makes perfect sense to buy sanitary towels, tampons and other menstrual hygiene items in a drugstore. But so far there are no cloth sanitary towels there. However, that does not have to mean that it will stay that way.

Because drugstores, like the German "DM" in particular, are mostly known for making a lot of progress in terms of sustainability about their offered products as they are listening to their community on the Internet. So it can be quite useful not only to inquire by the local market but also to activate other women and to bring up the topic on Facebook or Instagram. Because the thing is actually quite simple: if there is a demand, one or the other drugstore will consider whether the product range should not be expanded to include cloth sanitary towels.

Washable sanitary towels

Washable sanitary towels used perfectly normal, but now you have to look for them like a needle in a haystack. An alternative to the drugstore shelf are selling points like unpackaged shops, of which there are more and more, organic shops but also practices of gynecologists, alternative practitioners and midwives or also shops which offer cloth diapers. You can find an ever-expanding list of providers that carry washable sanitary towels or cloth sanitary towels from ALMO here. There you will also find many events where you can learn more about alternative menstrual hygiene and cloth sanitary towels. Fabric sanitary towels you can touch, so to speak, because many women have prejudices and can not really imagine how a fabric sanitary napkin works in everyday life, how it can be stored in a used condition and much more.

It will probably take some time before there will be washable sanitary napkins in the range of drugstores. However, since fabric sanitary napkins have a long lifespan and it is not necessary to buy fabric sanitary towels at the drugstore every month, as you have been used to, there is nothing to prevent you from ordering them online. In the ALMO shop you get fabric sanitary towels that have been tried and tested and will exceed your expectations. As you are used to from conventional sanitary towels, the fabric sanitary towels have an absorbent core and wings that you can use to attach them to your panties. The wings are simply wrapped around your panties and buttoned at the bottom.

What will surprise you is the cozy feeling in the pants, because a plastic bandage can not achieve that.

Alternative monthly hygiene. Around half of the world's population has it, has had it or will have it in the future:
The menstrual bleeding.

Although billions of women worldwide share this aspect of their femininity, the knowledge of monthly hygiene is rather hidden. Disposable products such as sanitary napkins and tampons can be found as examples in advertising and educational classes at school. Alternatives are rarely mentioned. There is a lot to know when those special "days" happen in a woman's life!

The menstrual period: so individual lieke everyone of us.

Every menstrual cycle is unique. Every woman experiences it differently, every menstruation is different, from woman to woman from month to month. It can be short and intense or weak and lasting for many days. The strength of the menstrual period literally ties some women to the bed, while other women are doing sports at the highest level or give inspiring speeches. In some countries in Asia such as Japan, Indonesia or South Korea women have the right to take paid vacation during their period – to rest at home.

Because the menstrual cycle is so different from woman to woman, the products for monthly hygiene should be also different for each woman. On the typical drugstore shelf there are therefore pads and tampons for heavy or light bleeding, with and without leakage protection. Panty liners are mostly used during the weakest days of the cycle. So far so good – but isn't there more? Oh yes!

Monthly hygiene:cloth pads, tampons,cups & sponges

The good news first: if a woman searches long enough, she will find the right monthly hygiene for herself. And the search itself is worthwhile, because we use a big number of products during our life with the female cycle. The calculation is comparatively simple:

• 5 till 7 tampons or pads per day
• for 5 till 7 days per month
• and an average of 12 times a year
• till 40 years long

Monthly hygiene products in Germany were charged at 19 percent, i.e. the higher VAT rate. They were considered a "luxury good". In the course of her life a woman spends around € 2,000 to € 4,800 only for her menstrual cycle days.

Alternative monthly hygiene is cheaper

alternative Monthly hygiene is therefore worth a second look for several reasons.

A sponge can be used from months to 1-2 years and costs between 4 and 6 euros. A menstrual cup has a lifespan of up to 10 years, the same applies to cloth sanitary towels. Thus the costs are just as lower as the garbage that is produced.

Every single form of monthly hygiene has its advantages and disadvantages, depending on whether the safest possible leakage protection, sustainability and environmental compatibility, costs or the simplest possible handling with pleasant wearing comfort are in the foreground. Cheapness is an issue that comes into play when we talk about alternative monthly hygiene. In the next blog post we will look at the health aspects and advertising promises of conventional monthly hygiene products.

Cloth sanitary towels have more advantages compared with conventional sanitary napkins. The most important advantage for me is easy to explain, but for you as a reader it is maybe (still) difficult to understand.

Cloth pads give you a cozy feeling in your pants.

You are now probably wondering how that can be. As a menstruating woman/girl, you've probably tried numerous brands and sizes of menstrual pads. And they can hardly be described as "cuddly", do they? There are several reasons why they aren't. First of all, conventional sanitary napkins have a plastic strip on the underside. Everyone of us should know that plastic is not exactly breathable, right? We don't exactly associate plastic with the feeling of coziness. Plastic is a real cuddle killer. Plastic ensures that wetness and moisture build up.

Cloth pads are revolutionizing the world.

That brings me straight to the second disadvantage: everywhere where moisture builds up, odours develop. This cannot be avoided, no matter how absorbent the core of the menstrual pad can be. Let's not kid ourselves: it is not a blue transparent liquid that leaves our female body every month, nor is it light pink or red like wine. Menstrual blood can not be compared to coloured water or a bleeding wound. The consistency is just completely different. And I think it's time we talk about these topics. We live in the 21st century and there is still so much to revolutionize. Let's get started! Half the world is made of people who will bleed monthly in the future, who are already bleeding, or who have already finished to bleed. From whom or what do we actually have to hide?

But let's get back to the benefits of sanitary napkins. You always have them at home. No more running to the nearest supermarket because your cycle is going crazy again. By the way, this is completely normal. Maybe your body is trying to tell you something. So next time try to be less annoyed about it, but rather listen to yourself. The menstrual period has a lot to do with letting go, a new begin. And it is influenced by diet and stress. So, you always have a cloth pad from ALMO at hand, ready to use. They are really absorbent and colorful. Life can be colorful and beautiful - even or especially when we have our menstrual cycle. Clinical white is out of place in our pants.

Cloth pads without plastic

I've already mentioned the plastic thing. Cloth sanitary napkins hardly need any plastic and are therefore not only good for the cuddly feeling in the pants, but also for the environment. We really don't need any more plastic in this world. Last but not least, you will also save yourself a huge amount of money. Because ALMO's sanitary towels are washable. So you can reuse them every month. ALMO's sanitary napkins have two other advantages: they are made in Germany. You not only support a clean environment avoiding the use of more plastic, but also tailors who earn their keep by sewing them. The production in Germany also ensures short transport routes. As you can see, there are tons of benefits when you choose sanitary towels.