Eco-Friendly Period Products: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners

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Green your time of the month, with this ultimate guide to eco-friendly period products – from washable pants to pads, to moon cups, sponges, organic tampons and towels and more.

I’d like to talk about something that I feel isn’t talked about enough – periods. And specifically, eco-friendly period products.

Before you roll your eyes and click off the page, I want to make it clear that when it comes to periods (and most aspects of life to be honest) I’m firm in the belief that people with periods should do whatever works best for them.

There is no judgement at all in this post if none of these eco-friendly products work for you. I just wanted to put some ideas out there that you may or may not have heard of with no expectation that you have to give them a go, and with no shame if these options don’t work for you or your circumstances.

The Ultimate Guide to Eco-Friendly Period Products

White knickers on a yellow background with a blue text box that says the ultimate guide to eco-friendly period products

In this guide, I’ve tried to cover as many sustainable and eco-friendly period product options as possible. I’ve tried a few different options and it’s definitely a case of trial and error. Hopefully, you can find something that works for you. If not, there’s no shame in using disposable products if none of these work for you or are suitable for your circumstances.

Menstrual Cups

reusable menstrual cup

Menstrual cups are probably the first thing your brain defaults to when it comes to eco-friendly period products. However, to be honest, and perhaps to your surprise, I was never really on board with the idea of a menstrual cup. I would go as far as to say I was a bit grossed out by the idea. So I understand if you are too. It wasn’t until after I had my first child that I became a lot more relaxed about the idea.

It does take a bit of practice. First to insert and remove a menstrual cup properly. And also to start to feel comfortable using it (much like the learning curve when you first start to use tampons). However, once it’s in the cup can stay there for 12 hours. Therefore, for the most part, there’s no need to take it out when you’re not at home. It’s easily cleaned, and there’s no risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome, even if you forget to take it out.

There are quite a few suppliers of menstrual cups in the UK. The most popular one is Moon Cup – available at Ethical Superstore. Moon Cup comes in two sizes – one if you’re under 30, and (slightly horrifyingly!) one if you’re over 30 and/or have had a child. However, there are heaps of other eco-friendly period product brands available at &Keep, including cups from TOTM and Nudie.

Period Pants

eco-friendly period products

Period Pants are essentially absorbent pants that you wear during your period, without the need for any other sanitary protection. You then pop them in the wash and reuse them time and again.

I have a pair of period pants from Wuka, which I love. I was worried they might feel like wearing a nappy. However, they aren’t at all bulky, so it feels like you are wearing regular pants. In fact, you can pop them on and almost forget that you have your period. I particularly love wearing my period pants at nighttime. It’s so much more comfortable than wearing a sanitary towel.

Want to know more? I’ve written a full guide on everything you need to know about period pants, including the questions you might be afraid to ask. You can also check out my guide to the best period pants, to help you find the right pair for you.

Whilst I really love my period pants, and honestly wouldn’t be without them, I would say that there are a couple of drawbacks to period pants. 

Firstly, it can be slightly awkward or annoying having to remove trousers or tights in order to change your pants, especially when you’re not at home. For that reason, I prefer to wear mine at night or on lighter-flow days. 

The second is the cost aspect. Period pants are not the cheapest eco-friendly period product option – coming in at around £12 a pair. This means it may get expensive having to buy multiple pairs of pants. I’ve built my collection up slowly over time, buying a pair of pants here and there whenever I’ve been able to do so.

Washable Sanitary Towels

washable sanitary towels

Washable sanitary towels are exactly as the name implies. If you’re familar with washable nappies then these will be a walk in the park for you. You just need to carry around a wet bag (the selection at Etsy is the best) with you to place your towels in when you’re done using them and then pop them in the washing machine.

I’ve got a full beginner’s guide to reusable sanitary pads if you want to know the full ins and outs of using washable pads.

I would say there is not much of a learning curve to reusable menstrual pads – just pop them in your pants and you are good to go.

I think the main drawback for some will be the need to carry used ones around with you. Personally, because of having kids, I’m used to carrying soiled/wet washable nappies in a zipped wet bag in my nappy bag. As such, I don’t have a problem with carrying washable sanitary towels in a similar fashion. However, I know not everyone is into the idea. If you are not comfortable with this idea, then I would try some of the other eco-friendly period product options suggested.

UK stockists of washable sanitary towels include &Keep, Ethical Superstore, and Amazon.

Meanwhile, there are more sellers on Etsy than you could shake a stick at. My favourite is LilahPads, pictured above. I’ve bought a few reusable sanitary towels from here over the last few years, and love them. Mine are lined with white fabric. However, if you are bothered by staining then I would opt for pads that have dark-coloured lining as these will not show any stains.

Sea Sponges

Sea sponges are essentially natural tampons. In our modern world, this is probably considered the most ‘out-there’ option in terms of eco-friendly period products. It’s also not one that I’ve tried. However, I’m keen to hear from readers who have tried or do use sea sponges about their experiences with them.

From what I’ve read sponges are fairly straightforward. Simply wet the sponge and insert it, like you would with a tampon. 

You’ll know when they need changing when you feel it drop down a bit. Here, you can just remove, rinse in clean water, and re-insert. At the end of your period, your sponge can be washed in the washing machine and then stored for the following month. With care, it should last roughly a year.

The drawback with sea sponges is that you would need to rinse them on a regular basis (as much as you would need to change a tampon or a pad). Therefore, it may be difficult to use when you’re not at home. And as they are natural sponge rather than synthetic then if you’re vegan, sea sponge probably isn’t for you.

If you’re interested in sea sponges there are a couple of UK stockists. The rather ethereal-sounding Moon Sponges; and the fun-sounding Tom&Pat.

Disposable Yet Eco-Friendly Period Products

natracare eco-friendly sanitary towels

If you’re not convinced by any of the options above, or can’t find an option that will work for you, then an alternative eco-friendly period product option would be switching to organic tampons or sanitary towels.

Conventional tampons and sanitary towels have been reported to contain traces of pesticides and insecticides. If you are looking for organic alternatives try Natracare or Eco by Naty – both available at Ethical Superstore. I’ve used both and really rate them.

I’d be interested to hear about your experiences with eco-friendly period products. What have you tried and what do you swear by? And what pain relief methods do you use? I’m a hot water bottle kind of person myself! 

You can also check out my guide on how to reduce plastic in the bathroom if you’re looking for inspiration on how to reduce plastic waste.

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12 Comments

  1. I don’t use tampons, so the moon cup is not for me.
    I don’t like needing to change my underwear, that is the reason I wear pads. I use them to protect my underwear and to be able to change it fast without having to take off my underwear. For this reason, that is not an option either.

    I tried the eco-friendly reusable pads and I absolutely hated them. Firstly, they are less comfortable and move around a lot. They are also insanely expensive. You need a lot since they take a long time to get dry. I could only afford 2 and even when washing them, I clearly needed more. Maybe 5 or 6.

    They are also suggested to be washed by machine to prolong their life. I don’t have one, so my handwashing meant it was stained from the beginning. They are not very easy to wash either. Maybe if I had a machine…

    I could only think about how many years I needed to use them to compensate the material consumption they required to be produced. In terms of price, If I stayed with these 2 pads I got WITH a discount, I would need to use the pads without getting any other aid for 2 years to compensate for the expense I would normally make with the more comfortable disposable pads.

    I want to be more eco-friendly, but all the options I see are more expensive and way more uncomfortable.
    Is there any other option I could try? So, far they are pretty unapproachable.

    1. Hi Flor, sorry to hear the reusable options don’t work for you and your circumstances. If reusables don’t work for you then there are lots of eco-friendly disposable sanitary towels available, like Naty and Natracare. If these don’t fit your budget, then I always recommend focusing your energies on the things that you can do in other aspects of your life.

  2. I started using cloth pads in January as I was horrified by the plastic I was sending to landfill each month. I don’t have kids so I was a bit nervous but they’re so absorbant you really don’t have much ‘mess’ to deal with. They’re more breathable more comfortable and more absorbant, I’ve not looked back!
    My favourites are the cotton cloth pads from Cheeky Wipes and they now do absorbant undies whichever I’ve worn on lighter days without pads and no problem.

  3. I’ve just made the switch to Bloom & Nora washable pads. Rinse in cold water, then wash with other items. They dry lovely and can also be tumble dried. I haven’t bought enough to see me through 2 days, so I’m washing daily. But I’m pleased so far. They are lovely to wear. I am doing this as we have 2 daughters, one of whom may blossom soon. Any ideas how we manage 3 of us on washables? I can only assume we name them, or wash in separate wash nets?

  4. I use cloth pads made by Cheeky Wipes, best purchase ever! They’re super absorbent and just rinse out in cold water without the need for washing. They dry over night. Only switched recently since before children I wasn’t sure I could deal with it, but it’s really easy. Moon Cups one step too far – find the thought of them stressful!

  5. I use cloth pads made by Cheeky Wipes, best purchase ever! They’re super absorbent and just rinse out in cold water without the need for washing. They dry over night. Only switched recently since before children I wasn’t sure I could deal with it, but it’s really easy. Moon Cups one step too far – find the thought of them stressful!

  6. I use cloth pads now and it’s changed my life. It’s so much easier in the long run and I don’t have to do last minute supply runs to the drugstore every month.

  7. It took a little bit of practice to get comfortable with my moon up but what really changed things for me was when I was booked on a canyoning trip and it coincided with my period. Usually I would cancel, my heavy periods often stop me doing any exercise let alone something where I would spend most of a day in a wetsuit! But it was a once in a decade opportunity so I did it and I am so glad I did! The mooncup worked perfectly – the wet conditions didn’t make any difference unlike a pad or a tampon, and it stayed where it needed to stay regardless of the boulders I was heaving myself over and water I was swimming through. I didn’t leak at all – which is why I don’t use tampons. All in all it proved my periods don’t have to stop me doing stuff. Ironically I then managed to flush it down the loo. Luckily I was convinced enough to invest in another one.

  8. Love my moon cup ! Would definitely recommend. You do have to persevere with the comfort to begin with but, afterwards it is so much more comfortable, and liberating. I think once you have used it, it becomes much like washing any cup out, and loses the disgust factor that comes with tampons. I feel far less negative about this time of the month now!

  9. I used a Moon Cup for years and would highly recommend it. I wasn’t allowed to use anything internally for a few months and then I was pregnant and then I felt a bit weird about inserting anything and then, during my last period, I realised I’d fallen out of the habit – buying the bigger size is going right back on my to do list. Thanks for the reminder!