Frugal Mom: Reusable Tampons
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Ready to give up disposable paper tampons, but not ready to give up their convenience and to switch to cloth pads?
For an inexpensive but controversial solution, here's a Frugal Mom Tip for you!
Buy 6 pair (or more) of cotton-rich white or organic baby socks.
Wash (and dry) three times with a natural, mild soap - rinsing well.
At your next period, simply roll up one baby sock into a tight roll, and insert as you would a paper tampon.
If you need more absorbency, use two baby socks rolled up.
Replace it with the next baby sock as needed. Rinse the used one out well, and store dry until washday.
Photo credit: unfurl, on Flickr
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Note from labyrinth.net.au: Are they safe though? The main contributing factor for TSS seems to be the rayon fibres in regular tampons (basically the bacteria multiplies readily on the rayon fibres and can cause TSS).
All-cotton tampons have not be found to breed bacteria like rayon does. So it would seem that if an all-cotton disposable tampon is safer for you than a rayon one, then an all-cotton reusable tampon might be safer for you than a rayon disposable one.
Regular disposable tampons are not sterile (just because they are white, wrapped in plastic and look sterile doesn't mean they are). Other things that go into vaginas also aren't sterile (penises, vibrators, fingers etc.)
You could boil or soak the tampons in a sterilizing solution if you wanted to.
Patterns and instructions for knit/crochet tampons:
• Different type of crocheted tampon
• Ladies Eco-Flow Busters
• Mama cloth...reusable tampons
If this is all too much for you, consider the Diva Cup, Moon Cup, The Keeper or Natural Sea Silk Sponges - great alternatives to disposable tampons.These menstrual cups collect the flow rather than absorbing it, so your vaginal tissues aren't dried out as they can be by disposable tampons.
These menstrual cups can last up to ten years.
Shopping Suggestions:• Ecoland Organic Cotton Newborn Socks
• 100% Organic Cotton White Turn Cuff Sock
• Carhartt Baby-boys Newborn 3-Pair Pack Crew Socks
• Diva Cup Diva Cup #1 Pre Childbirth
• Diva Cup Diva Cup #2 Post Childbirth
• GladRags The Moon Cup
• The Keeper A (After Childbirth), From GladRags
• The Keeper B (Before Childbirth), From GladRags
• Natural Sea Silk Sponges
• Frugal Baby Tips can be found on Facebook and Pinterest!
More Frugal Blogs and Websites:
• Born to Love: All your cloth diapering needs, and much more - naturally! We are strong advocates of the personal, social and environmental benefits of natural parenting.
• Frugal Freebies: Keep up with the latest free stuff, deals, coupons, and other ways to save money!
More Pregnancy blogs to visit:
• Life Begins... - Pregnancy stories of loss, hope and help
• Pregnancy Stories by Age - Daily blog of hope and inspiration!
• You Can Get Pregnant in Your 40's - Sharing articles, discussing options and suggestions
• Stories of Pregnancy and Birth over 44 - sharing news stories I find online, for inspiration!
Category: feature, Mom Clothing
Really? Really? Maybe clipping coupons would make a little more sense.
I feel like this would hurt, putting a dry sock in your vagina
Personally, some things in life are a necessity but should NOT be reused.
I use the Soft Cup. It is similar to the diva cup. I could not imagine using this technique though. How do they not leak? What if one were to fall out? I couldn't do it but each to their own I guess =]
ohh wow I think I just puked!
Try buying a "Keeper" instead. My 27 year old daughter has been using one for 12 years, I used my "Keeper" for 10 and then survived menopause. Ours were from the Biologic company ( I think)
I'm sorry but, unless the AMA says this is okay, or a LICENSED OB/GYN says it, this woman is off her rocker! Regular tampons cause toxic shock syndrome - imagine what THIS would do! Yeeeikes!
Let's see..
I'm a prepper. So I like to keep stocks of canned goods etc, just in case. One of my other stashes, is a bunch of female sanitary products. If I were ever in a situation where I ran out, and it was a SURVIVALIST situation, I'd do this. All the naysayers and the like, who are calling this lady nuts, put yourself in that position, if you can. If you were bleeding and only had access to something like this, you'd use them. You might not like the idea, nor would you like the idea of admitting it, but you'd use them.
One, I think this would HURT worse than pulling a dry tampon out. Two, granted the vagina has an end & these couldn't get lost forever, but how do you pull it out? If it wasn't fully inserted it would be very uncomfortable.
Third, I may use a cup but this is just taking things a little too far IMHO.
OMG! DIVORCE THE CHEAP DOG! HON, PLEASE STOP POSTING DRUNKEN RANTS IF YOU CAN NOT AFFORD A TAMPOND PLEASE LET SOME OF US SISTAS KNOW AND WE CAN HELP YOU OUT DONT GO STICKIN SOCKS IN YOUR VAJAYJAY!
It is AMAZING the self-shame people project onto others who have no issues with their own body/its waste products.
If it works for you, cool. I don't like things inside so I use pads.
I am disabled with no car, and often i'll be days without a way to get to the store. I don't know that I'd do this but I have had to cut a towel into lengths to use as pads...wash them out etc. you do what you have to do esp if you are alone and have no one to help you or no way to get to a store. how do you think our ancestresses did it.
i would ask a dr first. i don't think you are crazy, i do think you are thinking outside the box. iwouldn't do this, but to each their own.