On campus with cloth pads
We often hear from students who want to try GladRags, but are afraid that living in a college dorm will make reusables impossible. Whether you live by yourself, with roommates, or in a dorm, it’s totally possible for GladRags to be a simple and convenient part of your life! Here are a few tips for using cloth pads in less-than-private living situations (and check out our article about using them in public restrooms too!):
Presoak your pads
Nadia R. advises college students to “just have a small tub (like a plastic basin) that when you’re done with a pad you can put it in to soak. Use an old dark t-shirt to drape over the top while they soak — it won’t smell if its just a day or so — then pop them in with a load of laundry. Good luck! You can do it!”
Use private spaces wisely
“I used GladRags in college with no problem,” says MLE. “I kept a large, opaque Tupperware container in my closet with water and enzyme cleaner in it. I would crack the lid and dump out the water in the toilet before bringing it to wash with the rest of my laundry. (If the machine has a door gasket that catches small items easily, I would line the container with a mesh laundry bag to keep them all contained.) I carried pads to and from the bathroom in a carry bag (I think I used the little cloth sack that my sheets came in!) and then stuck the used one in the container when I got back to my room.”
Try the “dry method”
“I don’t actually soak my pads until I am ready to wash them (so they don’t sit around and mildew while wet). I’ve never had a problem getting any “stains” out and if you throw them in with underwear at a communal laundry room, chances are no one will even notice,” says Jennifer W.
Bottom line: you can do it, and it's worth it!
Switching to reusables is great for your body, your budget, and the environment! If you still need some encouragement, Amanda S. says, “DO IT. Seriously one of the best choices I have ever made… start a dorm movement!” And if you need any help, we're always here!