How to Use Cloth Pads for Your Period: The Complete Beginner's Guide

Thinking about switching to cloth pads? You're in good company. As a former tampon devotee turned reusable pad convert, I can tell you: once you try them, it's hard to go back.

Here's everything you need to know to get started.

Why Switch to Reusable Cloth Pads?

Whether you're tired of the monthly spend on disposables, frustrated with the crinkling and chafing of plastic-backed pads, or trying to shrink your environmental footprint — reusable menstrual pads solve all three problems at once.

Lil Helper's HyPs pads are made with a bamboo stay-dry top layer that wicks moisture away from your skin (no damp, uncomfortable feeling), a waterproof PUL backing that prevents leaks, and zero added chemicals; no fragrances, no parabens, no PFAS, no formaldehyde. Just soft, certified-safe fabric against your most sensitive skin.

They also last for years. Since launching in 2020, we haven't had a single customer report needing to replace theirs. Do the math on what you spend on disposables each year, the savings add up fast.

Step 1: Choose Your Size and Style

Just like disposables, the key is matching your pad to your flow. HyPs come in four absorbency levels and a few styles to suit different preferences and body types:

Sizes (available in Active, WoW, and Original):

HyPs Liner: 8 in / 20 cm long, absorbs 10–20 ml (2–4 tampons). Best for light days, spotting, or backup with a cup

HyPs Regular: 10 in / 25 cm long, absorbs 20–30 ml (4–6 tampons). Best for moderate flow

HyPs Heavy: 13 in / 33 cm long, absorbs 30–40 ml (6–8 tampons). Best fro heavy days or overnight

HyPs Max: 16 in / 40 cm long, absorbs 80–100 ml (8–10 tampons). Best for very heavy flow, overnight, or postpartum

Styles:

HyPs Active: Wings + anti-slip silicon dots. Great for those preferring pads with wings

HyPs WoW: No wings + silicone dots. Perfect if wings feel bulky or annoying.

HyPs Original: Wings, no silicone dots. A classic, familiar feel.

HyPs Teen: Designed for smaller bodies just starting their menstrual journey.

Want to boost absorbency or reduce leaks on heavy days? Pair any HyPs pad with our Interlabial Pads: small flexible inserts that tuck between the labia to help direct flow and add coverage where you need it most.

Not sure where to start? Our Starter Kit lets you test a range of sizes before committing to a full stash. Or, build your own custom trial bundle to match exactly your cycle.

Step 2: Wear Your HyPs

Put them on exactly like a disposable pad: snap the wings around your underwear (or for WoW, just lay flat). That's it.

A few tips from real users: well-fitting cotton underwear makes a big difference, and many people find that snug leggings or yoga pants add extra comfort on crampy days while keeping the pad securely in place. Because the bamboo stay-dry layer wicks moisture away quickly, most people report feeling comfortable in the same pad far longer than they ever could with a disposable.

Not sure when to change? The stay-dry layer keeps you feeling dry even as the pad fills, but you can always check the pad visually; blood is visible on the pad itself when in use, even though the material washes clean. Most people use 3–4 pads per day once they've dialed in their right size.

Step 3: Store Used Pads (When You're Out)

Fold your used pad inward, snap it closed, and tuck it into a wet bag until you're home. Wet bags are waterproof, discreet, and odor-containing. No mess, no fuss, and surprisingly, HyPs don't produce the same odor as disposables, since there are no added chemicals reacting with blood.

Step 4: Wash Your HyPs

Washing is easier than most people expect:

-Rinse in cold water until the water runs clear. Wring gently.

-Store in a wet bag or mesh laundry bag until wash day. Airflow helps, don't seal wet pads in an airtight space.

-Machine wash in cold or warm water with regular detergent, ideally inside a mesh laundry bag for longevity. No bleach. No fabric softener (it coats the fibres and reduces absorbency). No scrubbing.

-Dry on low heat (max 20 minutes in the dryer, then remove immediately) or hang to dry. Sunlight is magic for any lingering stains; just leave them outside for an afternoon.

That's it. Repeat every cycle, and watch your waste, and your spending, shrink.

Common Questions

Do cloth pads smell? Less than you'd think. HyPs have no added chemicals, so there's no scented reaction with blood. Most people report only a faint iron smell, easily contained in a wet bag.

Do they stain? The dark bamboo stay-dry top layer is designed to wash clean and resist staining. If anything lingers, sunlight takes care of it.

Can I use HyPs postpartum or for light bladder leaks? Yes; though for postpartum use, we recommend changing more frequently (every 1–3 hours in the early days), just as with disposables. For heavier incontinence needs, check out our Indiewear Incontinence Pads, which are designed specifically for that.

Are HyPs safe? All HyPs pads are Oeko-Tex certified and tested to be free of PFAS, PFOA, BPA, parabens, formaldehyde, lead, and phthalates. 

Ready to Make the Switch?

Not sure which size is right for you? Start with our Trial Kit; it's designed for exactly this moment. Try a Regular and Heavy before you build your full stash. Because once you try HyPs, you'll wonder why you waited so long.