Reusable Sanitary Pads

Reusable sanitary pads are the simplest reusable period product to start with. There is nothing to insert, nothing new to learn, and nothing to buy again next month. If you already know how to use a disposable pad, you already know how to use a reusable one — you place it in your underwear, snap the wings shut, and at the end of the day you wash it instead of throwing it away. That simplicity is why reusable pads are the product we most often recommend to first-time users, teenagers, and anyone who wants to stop buying disposables every month. This guide covers how they work, how to use them, how to choose your size, and how to wash them so they last.

What are reusable sanitary pads?

Reusable sanitary pads (also called washable pads or cloth pads) are cloth menstrual pads designed to be worn, washed and worn again for 12+ months. Instead of an adhesive strip, they use soft wings that wrap around your underwear and fasten underneath with a button, so the pad stays exactly where you put it.

One pad replaces dozens of disposables over its lifetime, which turns a recurring monthly cost into a single purchase. For a household with two or three menstruating members, or for an organisation supplying hundreds of girls, that difference compounds quickly.

Our SoSure reusable pads are the first brand of reusable sanitary pads certified by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), and are built on a 3-layer fabric construction — a stay-dry top layer against the skin, an ultra-absorbent core, and an anti-leak backing.

Why reusable pads are the easiest reusable to start with

Every reusable period product saves money and waste, but they are not equally easy to adopt. Reusable pads win on the things that matter most for first-time users:

• No insertion. Nothing goes inside the body, which removes the single biggest barrier for teenagers, first-time users, and anyone who is not comfortable with cups or discs.
• No learning curve. If you have used a disposable pad, you can use a reusable pad correctly on the first try. There is no folding technique and no seal to get right.
• Easy to demonstrate. A trainer can show a room of girls how to use and wash a reusable pad in under five minutes, which is why they work so well in school and community programmes.
• Visible reassurance. Users can see the pad in place and check it, which builds confidence faster than an internal product.
• Simple hygiene routine. Soak, wash with soap, dry in the sun. No boiling, no sterilising equipment, no electricity required.

For teenagers and first-time users in particular, that combination — nothing inserted, nothing to learn, nothing complicated to clean — is what makes reusable pads the easiest switch to make and the one most people stick with.

How to use reusable pads

Wash your new pads with soap before the first use, then follow four steps:

1. Place. Open the pad flat in your underwear with the soft side facing up, towards your body.
2. Button. Wrap the wings around the outside of your underwear and snap the button closed underneath. The pad should sit flat and centred, with no bunching.
3. Change. Change every 4 to 6 hours on a normal flow, and more often on heavy days — the same rhythm you would use with a disposable pad.
4. Fold and carry. Fold the used pad inward on itself and snap the button closed so the soiled side is hidden. Slip it into your pouch or a small bag until you get home to wash it.

That is the entire routine. The folded pad is discreet, compact, and no more noticeable in a school bag or handbag than a wallet.

How to wash reusable pads

Washing is where a pad's lifespan is won or lost. Five steps, in order:

1. Soak. Soak the used pad in cold water as soon as you can after use. Cold is essential — hot water sets stains permanently and can damage the fabric layers.
2. Wash. Wash well by hand using soap or a mild detergent until the water runs mostly clear.
3. Squeeze. Squeeze out the excess water gently. Do not wring or twist hard, which stresses the stitching and the absorbent core.
4. Dry. Dry outside in the sun where possible — sunlight helps naturally reduce staining and odour. If you are drying indoors or during the rains, choose a well-ventilated spot and allow extra time.
5. Keep. Once completely dry, fold the pad, snap it closed, and store it in a clean, dry place ready for your next cycle.

The four things never to do:

• No hot water — it sets stains and weakens the fabric layers.
• No bleach or harsh chemicals — they break down the absorbent core and shorten the pad's life.
• No ironing — heat damages the leak-resistant backing and reduces absorbency.
• No sharing — like underwear, pads are personal hygiene items and belong to one user only.

An easy way to remember it: cold water, soap, squeeze gently, dry in the sun. Some light staining is normal on any period product and does not affect how well the pad works.

Maxi or XL: choosing your size

Our reusable pads come in two sizes, and most people only need to think about flow and time of day:

• Maxi — the everyday pad, designed for normal to heavy flow and daytime wear. This is the right starting point for first-time users and the size most commonly ordered for school and community programmes.
• XL — longer with more coverage, designed for heavy flow, overnight wear, and postpartum use. Choose XL for the first days of a heavy cycle or for nights when you do not want to get up to change.

Many people carry both: Maxi through the day, XL at night. If you are unsure, message us before ordering and we will help you choose.

How many reusable pads do you need?

A practical starting point is 3 to 6 pads per person. If you change two or three times a day over a five-day period, six pads lets you rotate comfortably while others are washing and drying. Drying time is the real constraint — during the long rains, cloth takes longer to dry indoors, so an extra pad or two prevents running short.

Most people start with a 2-pad pack, add a second pack once they know they like them, and keep a carry pouch in their bag so clean and used pads travel discreetly.

Common questions

• Will reusable pads leak? Not when the pad is buttoned properly and matched to your flow. Most leaks come from a pad that has shifted because it was not fastened, or from wearing a Maxi on a heavy night when an XL was needed.
• How long do they last? 12+ months with proper care. Cold washing, no bleach and full drying are what determine whether you get one year or considerably more.
• Are they hygienic? Yes, when washed and dried as described above. Washing after each use and drying completely before storage is the whole requirement.
• Can they be worn with a thong or G-string? No — reusable pads need well-fitting regular underwear to hold the wings in place. A thong lets the pad shift and reduces protection.
• Will they stain? Some staining is natural with any period product. Soaking and washing in cold water promptly after use minimises it, and sunlight helps. Staining does not affect performance.
• Are they suitable for teenagers? Yes — reusable pads are the most commonly recommended reusable product for teens and first-time users precisely because nothing is inserted and the routine is familiar.

Other reusable period products to consider

Reusable pads are the easiest entry point, and many people go on to combine them with other reusables depending on the day:

• Menstrual cups — a flexible medical-grade silicone cup worn internally that can hold flow for up to 12 hours. Excellent for long school and work days, and a natural next step once a user is comfortable with reusables.
• Period underwear — underwear with a built-in absorbent gusset. Wear alone on light days or as backup with a pad or cup on heavy ones.
• Menstrual discs — an internal option that sits at the base of the cervix and typically holds more than a cup, with long wear times.

There is no single best product. The right routine is the one that fits the user's body, flow and daily schedule — reusable pads for everyday and for anyone starting out, a cup for long days, period underwear as backup. Most people end up with a combination, and that is exactly how it is meant to work.

Buying reusable pads in bulk

Alongside our everyday orders, we also supply reusable pads in bulk and at wholesale pricing for schools, NGOs, CSR programmes, churches and chamas, county health programmes, and retailers. Reusable pads are the product most often chosen for dignity kits and menstrual health distributions, because one handout covers 12+ months rather than a single month, and the routine can be taught to a room of girls in a few minutes.

If you are ordering for an organisation, message us on WhatsApp with the quantity, sizes and delivery county, and we will send pricing, lead time and delivery cost. We can supply unbranded packaging for donation drives and split deliveries across multiple sites.

Cuppie supplies reusable sanitary pads and all our reusable period products across Kenya in plain, discreet packaging, with M-PESA checkout and Pay on Delivery available in Nairobi and environs. We deliver same-day within Nairobi and in 1 to 3 working days countrywide. Browse our reusable pads above, or message us on WhatsApp if you would like help choosing between Maxi and XL before you order.