If you currently think using GladRags seems gross, let us just say that many GladRags users were once in this exact spot. In fact, even some GladRags employees once thought reusables were gross. We are just like you. You don't have to fit a certain stereotype to consider using reusables. We know what you are thinking (we've heard it a bazillion times), "GladRags are for those hippie-earth-loving-crunchy types right?" The truth is GladRags are for EVERY woman.

There is always a "chance" of getting toxic shock syndrome (TSS) with any menstrual product. GladRags are one of your safer options because blood is flowing out of the vaginal canal, where the development of TSS is most likely to occur. TSS is caused by usually harmless bacteria found on our skin or in parts of our body. If they get into the bloodstream, through a cut or tear, they release a toxin.

Yes! All cotton GladRags are soft and breathable, which is so much better than plastic pads that can chafe and irritate your skin. Most of our customers are surprised to find GladRags are as comfortable as they are. Our customer Nicole had this to say about trying GladRags: "I just wanted to send you a line of appreciation. I love Glad Rags. I just started to use them. I cannot believe I waited this long! I am sold!! I am a lifer now. They are so comfortable and easy on my skin.

GladRags are designed to be comfortable and efficient. The flaps that snap around your underwear act as wings to protect the sides of your panties from getting stained and there is no stitching where your flow can pool. Your flow will just naturally go toward the absorbing inserts, which have a layer of cotton terry cloth inside. GladRags can leak if left unchanged for too long, just as disposable pads will if they become too saturated.

Women all over the world are using GladRags...no specific stereotypes can be (or should be) applied here. Students, businesswomen, filmmakers, mothers, artists, travelers, and Peace Corps workers are just a few that come to mind. Everyday women use GladRags-the woman next to you on the street, at school, or at work might very well be using them right now.

Remove the inserts from the holder. Soak or pre-rinse the GladRags in cold water. Wash your pads in cold or warm water. Despite what your mother might have told you about getting laundry extra clean, avoid using hot water to wash your GladRags. Heat will seal in the iron from your blood leaving a stain and is hard on the fabric. If you're leaving them to soak, change the water daily.

You will find GladRags to be very absorbent. We found terry cloth to be the best naturally absorbing weave around, so all GladRags inserts have a layer of terry cloth sandwiched between the two outer layers of cotton flannel. The daytime holders are made of two layers of cotton flannel, and the inserts slip between each layer, like a letter inside an envelope. Each GladRags pad comes with 1 holder and 2 inserts, and you can opt to use as many as 3 inserts with a holder for your heavier days.

GladRags are made to last at least 5 years. Many women still use the same pads they bought from us when we started in 1993!

GladRags are meant to be as versatile as our customers are. You can customize your GladRags according to your menstrual flow by using more or fewer inserts inside the holder. On heavy flow days, use both inserts that come with the GladRag, or add a third (you can purchase extra inserts and extra holders in the GladRags Extras section of our website). On light days use only one insert, or even just the holder alone as a panty liner.

This can be a challenge. Some folks are willing to participate, but can’t (or won’t pay the cost). In these cases, you can encourage the family to collectively pool the cost of the test for one representative. These situations are ones where the 12 marker tests are particularly useful, as $99 is easier to raise than $148, $189, or $269. Some folks don’t understand the value of the testing. Hopefully, you can learn enough from these FAQs and other information to persuade them.

GladRags Day Pads: These pads are perfect for day use and are composed of a holder and 2 inserts. Depending on your flow, you can use one or both of the inserts. The GladRags Day Pad with both inserts is the equivalent of an average disposable maxi pad. GladRags Night Pads : These larger pads provide added protection to be worn while sleeping. The night pads consist of a holder and 2 inserts, both lined with absorbent terry cloth.

Because GladRags are thicker, some fear that they can be seen through clothing. GladRags are thicker because we only use highly absorbent breathable cotton as opposed to using chemicals or gels as absorbing agents, which are often used in the thinner disposable pads. It has been our experience, however, that GladRags don't show through your clothing. To further support our scientific findings, we have never had a customer return a GladRag because they could be seen through clothing.

If you change your pads often enough, odor should not be a problem. The Carry Bag is also very effective in transporting used pads and keeping odors locked away.

When you purchase GladRags, we ask that you wash just one and try it out. If you do not like it, please send back the remaining unused/unwashed pads and we will refund the entire product cost, if returned within 90 days of the purchase date..

Yes. We offer a carrying bag that helps you travel during the day. The Carry Bag holds 4 day pads. Throughout the day you can place your used GladRags in the interior water resistant bag until you reach a place where you can rinse them out and wash them. If you are traveling for a longer period of time, we recommend soaking and washing them at the end of the day and hanging them out/laying them out to dry completely if you do not have access to a dryer.

Fabric softener is generally a collection of harsh chemicals (defeating the purpose of having an all-natural menstrual product). We find GladRags remain soft without fabric softener. You may, however, try Bi-O-Kleen's Oxygen Bleach, which softens your fabric naturally.

Bleach is an extremely harmful chemical - both to our bodies and the environment. Please use an oxygen bleach or natural antibacterial substance.

Our most absorbent pads, organic undyed GladRags are made with unbleached heavyweight cotton flannel and terry cloth. Our organic color GladRags are made with undyed organic terry and a heavyweight flannel that is colored with low-impact eco dyes, in a process that uses far less water and chemicals than conventional dying. All of our organic fabric is certified by the grower. We are committed to offering the most fully organic product we can.

We've all had that time when we weren't quite ready for our period or a pad leaked and some blood got on our underwear. More often than not, you probably applied a little stain remover on it and initiated it as a new addition to your collection of "period underwear". You didn't think they were now dangerous to your health because you got some blood on them and you probably did not throw them away. GladRags are like the underwear, but on a grander scale.

Yes! A number of our customers have told us they use GladRags for light incontinence. Again, they help prevent irritation and allow your skin to breathe, which is important for people who are wearing them everyday. And just the same as with menstrual use, the number and style of GladRags you use will depend on how heavy your leakage is.

Yes - the night pads are especially great for post-partum. While many new moms find they need a large amount of GladRags or pads to carry them through post-partum, any amount of reusable pads would be helpful. They are softer and kinder than plastic on your skin. Some women place their inserts in the freezer after dipping them in witch hazel. The cool inserts sooth and help your tender parts heal.

There are many factors at work here. First and foremost, the vast majority of the world's population does not even know that it is possible to cook with the sun. When they find out about it there is almost universal enthusiasm, especially in regions where the gathering of cooking fuel and the process of cooking over a smoky fire is a great burden. There are many factors that need to be in place to make it possible for poor people to solar cook on an on-going basis.

Students pay more often. This happens through upgrades and additional downpayments, testing, pro shop, events etc.

Yes! We've sold many GladRags to women dealing with these conditions who find the pads helpful during their cycles. Many women have noticed that tampons and disposable pads can be a source of vaginal irritation, and most are unaware that disposable products are highly processed and may contain chemicals to "keep you dry" or cover up odor. Dioxin, a carcinogenic by-product of the chemical bleaching process in disposables, is less of a risk today, though we feel concern is warranted.

All addicts protect their use behaviors with a stout wall of denial, and are remarkably able to ignore the obvious consequences of their substance use behaviors and continue to deny the existence of a problem. Contrary to common wisdom, addicts do not need to admit to a problem before entering into treatment to benefit, and many only acknowledge their dependency after sobriety is achieved, and after participation in group and peer therapies.

It can be difficult to know how to approach a friend or family member who seems to be depressed- especially if that person has been defensive about your past efforts to help them. Sometimes people who are depressed do not recognize the change in their moods or behavior, or they are reluctant to admit that they have the illness because of the stigma that is attached to it.

Consider that the insurance company already has your money (premiums paid), they make the rules on what is covered, they likely have no clue about what EPD is, and you want some of your money back. A suggested approach likely should include kind communications and education (loud voices and mean letters can always be used as a follow-up, but rarely does the soft sell approach work after they are put on the defensive).

This can be a lot harder than asking your partner to spank you. If you just ask to spank her, she's likely to think you want to really hurt her. If she has a history of abuse, you might be in big trouble. You are probably better off starting by talking about spanking in general. Try gently telling her that spanking turns you on, and that you'd like to explore it. Be as nonthreatening as you can. first, you may want to ask her to spank you.

Let's look at this question for a minute, I hear this one a lot. A pregnant woman wants to empower herself and make her own birth choices but her husband/partner/mother/sister/friend wants her to trust in a doctor/midwife "just in case something goes wrong". It looks pretty straight forward on the surface but if we look closer we often see far more complicated issues surrounding this situation. It's a trust issue, s/he doesn't trust you to do this "right".

Find a few dishes your spouse likes which are raw, and present these along with their regular foods. Get creative, the more raw dishes you find that they like, the more likely they are to go raw. Usually the biggest objection anyone has to going raw is having to give up all the cooked foods they love. But if you have delicious raw foods on hand to replace those cooked dishes, that can be more persuasive than anything. Also, try to lead by example.