From Plastic to Pantyliner

Let’s talk periods. No, really. Let’s talk periods the way we talk about skincare routines or favorite cozy socks—because, let’s face it, we deserve a little more celebration (and a lot less synthetic nonsense) when it comes to our monthly moon cycles.

Let me paint you a picture: Me, curled up on my couch with a hot water bottle, a mug of hibiscus tea, and a quiet but unshakeable feeling that I need to change something—no, not my life (okay, maybe that too)—but my period routine. For years, I had been on autopilot: reach for the same brand of disposable pads, accept the minor discomfort, ignore the low-key rash I got every time, and try not to think too hard about what was actually in those little plastic-wrapped rectangles of doom.

Then I discovered GladRags—and let me tell you, I have never looked back.

The “Aha!” Moment: From Mystery Chemicals to Organic Cotton

It all started during a late-night internet rabbit hole, the kind where you begin by looking up “quick dinner ideas” and somehow end up reading about endocrine disruptors and how most disposable pads contain things like dioxins, bleach, and superabsorbent polymers that sound more like alien materials than something you’d want near your delicate parts.

That’s when I found GladRags. Made in the USA since 1993 (long before “organic” became a buzzword), this little Portland-based brand has been quietly sewing a revolution—one reusable cloth pad at a time.

At first, I’ll admit, I hesitated. I mean… cloth pads? Wasn’t that a bit too Little House on the Prairie for a modern woman like me? But the more I read, the more it made sense. Why wouldn’t I want something soft, toxin-free, and reusable? Why was I stuffing my underwear with paper and plastic every month like I was packing for a soggy picnic?

It was time to make the switch.

First Contact: The GladRags Pantyliner Plus

Like any cautious convert, I started small—with the Pantyliner Plus. It felt low-commitment. It wasn’t my heavy flow days. It was just for daily freshness and that awkward in-between-spotting phase (you know the one). I figured, worst case, I’d lose a little shipping money and gain a very stylish cleaning cloth.

The moment I touched it I could tell this was different. Soft. So soft. Not just “gentle on your skin” soft, but this-is-what-cotton-was-born-for soft. Made with breathable, organic cotton (no synthetics, no hidden plastics), the Pantyliner Plus felt like a cloud had given me a hug. It snapped easily into place—no sticky wings, no crinkly sounds, no feeling like I was wearing a tiny diaper. Just… comfort.

Also? It stayed in place. I don’t know how the GladRags team did it, but it didn’t shift, bunch, or rebel like my old liners used to. Perhaps magic cotton engineering? I forgot I was even wearing it. That never happened before.

Oh, and did I mention the best part? It was adorable. Who knew period care could be cute? The patterns! The colors! It felt like a secret little love letter to myself every morning I wore it.

I washed it that night (easy, by the way—just a rinse and a toss in the laundry), and the next day, it was dry, fresh, and ready to go again. No waste. No guilt. No landfill contributions. Just me, my liner, and a happy conscience.

Stepping Up My Game: The Organic Day Pad

With my pantyliner crush firmly established, I knew I had to level up. Next on my GladRags wish list? The Organic Day Pad. This was the big leagues. The Real Deal. The pad that would stand up to my heaviest flow days and declare, “No plastic? No problem.”

The Day Pad is everything the Pantyliner Plus is—and more. It’s longer, thicker, and, most ingeniously, modular. Yes, like a period care Transformer. It comes with two insert layers that you can tuck into the pad’s holder, depending on your flow. Light day? One insert. Heavy morning? Double up. Unexpected sneeze attack? You’re covered.

What I loved most was how the Day Pad gave me options. Disposable pads always made me feel like I had to guess, “Do I need regular or super? Will this be enough? Should I bring extras?” With GladRags, I could adjust to my body’s rhythm in real time. No more guessing games. Just comfort, security, and total control.

And again, the comfort. I cannot overstate this: Wearing a GladRags Day Pad feels like slipping into your coziest pajamas after a long day. You don’t realize how irritating synthetic pads are until you take them out of the equation. The Day Pad breathed. It moved with me. It didn’t chafe or crinkle or feel sweaty. It just… worked. Beautifully.

The Myth of the Inconvenient Cloth Pad

Let’s address the elephant in the (bath)room: Isn’t it a hassle to wash cloth pads?

Short answer: Not really. Long answer: Washing a GladRag is way easier than I imagined. I kept a small “wet bag” under my sink, rinsed each pad with cold water after use, and tossed it in. At laundry time, they all went in with my delicates on a gentle cycle. No bleach, no drama.

They came out clean, fluffy, and ready to go again. I now own five pads and two liners, which covers me for a full cycle with a little room to breathe. And the money I’m saving? Don’t get me started. It’s like getting a bonus every month—and not the kind you stuff in a drawer and forget about.

Period Power, Reclaimed

What started as a quiet curiosity has turned into a full-on lifestyle shift. Using GladRags has changed how I relate to my body. I used to dread my period. Now, I kind of… look forward to it? I’ve created a ritual around it: soft music, herbal tea, comfy clothes, and my little stack of fresh cloth pads waiting like loyal friends.

I don’t feel toxic anymore. I don’t feel wasteful. I feel informed, empowered, and connected to my own rhythms. That might sound a little woo-woo, but trust me: when you stop treating your body like a problem to be fixed, and start treating it like a garden to be nurtured, amazing things happen.

Why GladRags Stands Out in a Sea of “Greenwashed” Options

In today’s world, everything claims to be “clean” and “natural.” But GladRags walks the walk. They’ve been doing this since the 90s—long before sustainability became trendy. Their pads are handmade in Portland, Oregon by a small, passionate team. They use only organic cotton. No plastics. No perfumes. No weird gel beads.

They don’t outsource. They don’t cut corners. They don’t greenwash. What they do is offer a better way to do something we all have to do—bleed. And they do it with care, transparency, and real community.

And can we talk about the free Pantyliner Plus offer? If you’re even a little curious, this is the moment to take the leap. Use the code WELLNESS on their site, pay shipping, and you’ll get to try the magic for yourself. Zero risk. All reward.

Final Thoughts from My Uterus (and Me)

If my uterus could talk, she’d be throwing a party right now—complete with soft cotton bunting and sustainable confetti. She’s never been happier.

GladRags has reminded me that taking care of myself doesn’t have to come at the cost of the planet. That my health is worth investing in. That softness, comfort, and sustainability can exist in one sweet little pad. And that there’s a whole community of people out there ready to ditch the disposables and embrace a better way.

So, if you’re ready to reclaim your period—if you’re tired of itchiness, chemicals, and endless waste—consider this your sign. Your uterus (and the Earth) will thank you.

GladRags; It’s not just a pad, it’s a revolution wrapped in flannel.