Frequently Asked Questions

Q: My Great Grand-Ma used material during her period. Why would I want to do that too?

A: Way back before disposable feminine products were invented, women would use rags as a pad. They would cut the fabric into strips and fold them up to create an absorbent cushion. They'd wash it afterwards and reuse them again.  Now-a-days, it's a little more fancy! But it still comes down to washing and reusing them. It's one of the main reasons women have gone back to this method. Eliminating so much waste in your life is extremely important seeing how you'll have your period for an average of 360 times in you life. That's a lot of trash! 

Q: I have to wash those bloody pads afterwards?! Eww!

A: Yup. You do. But honestly, it's not that bad! There are many ways of going about washing without actually touching blood, or hardly anyway. Our favorite way is to fill your sink with cold water, and toss your pads, face side down. This way, you don't even have to look at the bloody side of the pad. Let them sit there overnight and you've just rinsed your pads out without having to touch them! 

Q: There is no way the fabric can soak up the blood and not leak.

A: For the most part, cloth pads are just as absorbent as the disposables. On occasion, just like with the toss-aways, you'll get a leak. This doesn't mean the cloth pad doesn't work. It simply means you either waited too long before changing, your period is too heavy for the absorbency level you have on, or the shape isn't the right one for you. 

Q: I have a weak bladder. Can cloth pads be used for incontinence?

A: Yes they can! Just like a cloth diaper, our pads absorb the same way. With a proper absorbency level, it could easily work!

Q: How many pads do I need?

A: This is a harder question to answer, simply because everyone has a different period flow and length or cycle. On Average, we tell women to buy 2-3 light day pads, 3-5 moderates, and 1-3 heavies. With this, you could easily go about your cycle reusing some of them before tossing them all in the wash at the end of your cycle. From there, you could build your stash with more of what you need. If your period has more heavy days then light ones, then you'd purchase more heavies, and so on. 

Q: I use a cup, but I want to get cloth pads too. Which ones should I get?

A: We recommend the lip liners for cup backup. They come in liners and lights (lights have one layer of absorbency). This will protect you from any leaks. You could also get pad boosters which get tucked into between your labia and would catch any light leaks. 

Q: Pad booster? (Interlabial pads)

A: Interlabial pads or pad boosters as we like to call them, are mini pads essentially. They come in leaf or heart shapes and are composed of a topper fabric and an absorbent layer. You can fold or roll them into different shapes and tuck them between your vagina lips. They will catch any minor leaking. When using them with a pad, you can tuck them into your labia or lay them flat onto your pad as a booster. When the booster is tucked into the labia, it will help eliminate the gushing feeling, and also help direct the blood flow more to the centre of the pad. Though not for everyone, these little pads are a great addition to a stash collection. 

Q:Which topper fabric should I get?

A: We offer mainly Pique toppers, which is a performance fabric similar to workout clothes. If a breathable, wicking, stain resistant fabric. Perfect for cloth pads. It's soft and the prints don't fade! We also offer cotton toppers. These are a cheaper option compared to the pique toppers. Breathable, soft and organic. You may find yourself working a little harder on controlling stains, but still a very great fabric option to carry in your stash. Other fabrics we carry at times, are Organic Bamboo Velour (OBV), nylon/poly spandex (bathing suit fabric). As time goes by, we will add other options. 

Q: What do I do when I'm not home? I can't possibly use them at work or on vacation can I?

A: If you're prepared, you have nothing to worry about! You'll need a waterproof bag of some sort. We like makeup bags. You'll carry your clean pads in one, and put your dirty ones in another (Unless you can find a double pocket bag, then just the one will do!) When you need to change, you'll simply bring your little bag with you. Put the dirty one in your bag, and put a clean one on. Once you get home, you'll soak/rinse your pads as usual and voila! If you're on vacation, and have access to water, you'll do the same wash routine as you would at home. A drying strap would come in handy if space is limited. Hang them in the shower/bathtub or outside on a tree if your have privacy. It's probably easier then having a trash bag full of disposable you have to smell and look at your entire vacation. 

Q: I head the term dry storing and wet storing. What does this mean?

A: These terms are used when talking about how you store your pads dirty. Dry storing means you do not rinse your pads after using them. You'll simply stick your dirty pad in a waterproof bag (leave a small crack open for airflow) and you'll rinse them after your entire cycle is done. Wet storing is when you'd rinse your pads and them store them in a waterproof (leaving a small crack open for airflow) and you'll wash them in the machine after your entire cycle is done. 

Q: Who's making the Lady Crimson's pads?

A: I (Sophie) am. I am the sole owner and do everything myself. I purchase the prints and fabrics. I prep the fabrics, trace the patterns, cut the fabric, sew and apply the buttons. If the near future, I may have women help me with the prep work, but I will always be the one that sews the pads together.