Why GladRags?

GladRags is:

Conventional disposable menstrual products can contain plastics, artificial fragrances, adhesives, and chemical gels--things you don't want next to one of the most sensitive parts of your body! Choosing GladRags cotton cloth pads means choosing more comfortable and safer periods. Our products are free from irritating materials and allow you to avoid unnecessary exposure to the synthetic ingredients in disposable pads and tampons.

One of the lesser-known benefits of switching to reusable menstrual products is the period positivity that comes along with it. The menstrual cycle is a healthy and natural process. Many of us grow up believing that it's a messy inconvenience or, worse, a disgusting disease-like condition. The embarrassment or shame we feel about our periods is often a result of negative cultural conditioning. Fortunately, many of us have experienced profound positive transformations in our feelings toward our menstrual cycles after switching to reusables!

Once you purchase a full set of GladRags pads, you'll have reliable menstrual protection for years to come. GladRags products are made to last for at least 5 years, but many of our customers report that their pads have lasted much longer--some are 20+ years old and still going strong!

It can seem like GladRags cost more than disposables, but they actually are much more economical when compared to the cost of disposable products over your lifetime. On average, a person can use 12,000 to 16,000 disposable pads, tampons, and liners in their menstruating lifetime (and beyond, if they use pads and liners for post-menopausal incontinence). The cost of thousands of disposables sure adds up! While it seems like a small monthly expense, over your lifetime you'll be spending thousands of dollars on pads and tampons that just end up in the trash. Although reusable menstrual products are an initial investment, they pay off over time: many customers report saving over $500 in just a few years.  

We like to use the analogy of ceramic dishes. Buying paper plates would certainly seem cheaper, but everyone agrees that investing in dishes you'll use for years is the smarter choice! Plus, you'll get greater enjoyment from your nice dishes. Cloth pads are exactly the same!

In a disposable pad's life cycle, its heaviest environmental impact is during the manufacturing process. This is when the raw materials (including fossil fuels and oil to produce plastic) are used. In comparison, GladRags cloth pads--and their packaging--are plastic-free.