We asked the wonderful Zoe Beck @zoe_beck_x about her experience with our Bear & Moo Reusable Sanitary Pads! Here's what she had to say:

What made you switch to Reusable Sanitary Pads? 

I really wanted to make the switch to reusable sanitary products, primarily for the environment. Each month I was noticing more and more how much waste I was adding to my bins. Single use items are such a big contributor to landfill waste, and I hated that I was adding so much to it. 

I also wanted to make the switch due to the rising cost of sanitary products. Having a heavier flow meant my monthly cost of sanitary items was getting upwards of nearly $50. I hated that I was spending nearly $50 a month for something that I was going to be putting in the bin anyway.

There had to be a better way... I had made the switch to a silicone reusable cup about 7 years ago. I used this a lot when wearing a pad wasn't so easy, like swimming. However, finding an alternative to single use pads wasn't so easy. I had tried a few brands of reusable underwear but I never found ones that were comfortable for my body shape and size and never fitted well. 

That's when I found Bear and Moo Reusable Sanitary Pads. They are the best alternative to single use pads. I'm able to keep the underwear that I already have and it is comfortable for me. I'm saving so much landfill waste and better yet saving my hard earned money as well! I have been using them for about 15 months and I love them. Plus, I haven't used a single disposable sanitary item in that time because the pads are that good! 

Why did I choose Bear and Moo Reusable Sanitary Pads? 

I chose Bear and Moo Reusable Sanitary Pads for so many reasons. 

Firstly I loved the idea of a pad over period underwear. I had tried so many styles of underwear and they just never fitted right and were not comfortable. There is nothing worse than being uncomfortable and not feeling your best on your period and then having to worry about your undies going up your crack!

So that I could keep using my underwear that I already had. I was simply just swapping out a disposable pad for something reusable.

The size range available. Having a heavy flow meant I was always using the "super" absorbency disposable ones. So I was worried that there wasn't going to be anything that would accommodate my flow. Bear and Moo have 3 sizes available in their range, small, medium and large. Straight away I ordered the large to test out absorbency. The large pad is the same size as a "super" disposable pad. It has a larger, wider piece at the back. However after using it I found that they are actually more absorbent! The layers of the bamboo and microfibre together have great absorbency. As they were more absorbent I thought I would give the medium size a go. The medium is much like "regular" same size at the front and the back, but very absorbent. I found even with my heavy flow I was able to use the medium size pad even on my heavy days. The small pad is much like a thick liner, great if your flow is light or perhaps you prefer to use a cup or tampons full time but just want an extra layer of protection. 

Another thing that drew me into using Bear and Moo pads is they are so affordable. Being a stay at home mum, money is tight, but these are extremely affordable - Small = $9.95, Medium = $12.95, and Large = $15.95. They have variety packs available whether you want to buy in bulk or you want to try one of each size, they have so many options. They also have afterpay and zip which are great options too. 

How do you wash them?

Washing them is quite simple, the extra supplies I use are the Bear and Moo Large Wet Bag and a big bucket. Between cycles I store all my pads in the large pocket of the wet bag, I keep this in my bathroom cupboard near the toilet. 

• When my cycle arrives I use the pads just like a disposable. When it comes time to change, I will put my dirty pad (folded up) inside the smaller part of the wet bag. I make sure it's zipped between changes so it doesn't smell. I keep the bag on a small hook behind the toilet, so I have access to all the clean ones.
• Then every 2-3 days I will wash them (I usually end up doing 2-3 washes per period cycle). First, I take all the dirty pads and add them into a bucket and rinse with cold water. Each rinse I will rub and squeeze all the contents out of the pads. I will usually do this about 5-8 times until the water is relatively clear. You can absolutely use a wooden spoon or put on rubber gloves to do this. I personally don't, I just give my hands a really good wash afterwards.
• Once the pads are rinsed, I then add some warm or cold water to the bucket, enough to cover the pads. I add a small amount of stain remover or washing powder to the bucket, I'm currently using persil ultimate washing powder and find I don't need to use stain remover. I then leave them in the bucket for 8 plus hours or best left overnight.
• Once they are done soaking, drain off the water and add to the washing machine with a normal clothing load. A longer or cold cotton wash works best.
• Then hang in the sun, this will help get rid of any staining and they are ready to be stored or used again. You can hang indoors if it's raining, just be aware that they will take longer to dry. You can definitely use a dryer if you need to. Make sure you choose a very low heat. A high heat can damage the PUL waterproof fabric of the back side of the pad making them no longer waterproof and causing them to leak. 

What happens when you're out and about? 

I think this is what worries women the most when thinking about trying a reusable pad, It definitely worried me... and funnily enough it's actually super simple. All it takes is a bit of pre planning.

If I'm going out for the day, I just think ahead of how many changes of pads I might need, and then usually add one extra just in case. I then pack them into a Bear and Moo Mini Wet Bag. These bags are small and discreet. They are small enough to fit into any hand bag, car or even a large pocket and they are big enough to hold 3 medium pads and a spare pair of underwear at one time. So if I'm ever out and need to change I keep my little wet bag with me with a pad or 2 inside. I change the pad like I would at home, I then fold the dirty pad up and place it inside the mini wet bag until I get home. The mini wet bag is awesome because they are a waterproof bag, so if you are putting it back into your handbag none of the contents will leak anywhere, plus they don't smell.

Once I get home I put the dirty pad/s and the mini wet bag into the dirty area of my large wet bag at home and then wait for the wash day. It's not as scary as you think, just have to be a little more prepared. I do keep a mini wet bag in the car with 2 pads and spare undies just in case I'm ever caught out. 

What is your favorite thing about them ? 

My favourite thing is definitely the patterns! Bear and Moo create such cute patterns. It's so nice having something fun on some not so nice days. Sometimes I actually look forward to having my period so I can get all the cute prints out! I love that I am supporting a small NZ business and putting my money where its going to be appreciated much more. I love the fact I am saving money as well, I have about $150 - $200 worth of reusable pads... which seems like a lot but I was spending nearly $50 a month on period products... I've had my pads for 15 months and if I was using disposables all that time I would have spent $750!  So I've saved $550, just by switching to reusable pads. If I look after them with a good wash routine and storage they should last 3-5 years, so imagine those savings. I also love that I'm doing my part for the planet, I am keeping so much waste out of landfill from just my period products alone.