We just celebrated Earth Day, and with Earth Month coming to a close, it’s a good time to think about different ways we can reduce our impact on the planet. Most of us are pretty good at recycling, and many of you following this blog use cloth diapers, but you may not have thought about the amount of waste that disposable menstrual products create. All those tampons and pads, month after month, year after year, add up to create a lot of trash!
As a teenager and young adult, I used tampons and disposable pads. I didn’t know there were any other options, and to be honest, I don’t think I ever even thought about it. But then I became a mom and started cloth diapering. Like a lot of moms, once I started with cloth diapers, it was a natural progression to look for reusable alternatives elsewhere too. That’s when I discovered reusable menstrual cups and cloth pads. I love my cup for most of my cycle, but I wouldn’t want to go without my cloth liners and pads as backup and for everyday protection.
You may know Omaïki for their Canadian cloth diapers (we’ve previously reviewed their 3.Ö Hybrid and AIÖ diapers). Omaïki started out as a cloth diapering company, but over the last decade, owners Ariane and Anouk have worked continuously to improve and expand their line of reusable, eco-friendly products. Their latest addition is the Lötus line of reusable menstrual pads, and I recently had the opportunity to try some of their liners and mini-maxi pads.
All Omaïki’s Lötus products are made in Canada from Canadian fabrics. Their exclusive blend of bamboo and organic cotton make for silky soft and exceptionally comfortable pads.
Each panty liner is about 8.5″ long with wings that wrap around the gusset of your underwear and snap shut. When I compare them to other liners I’ve tried, they’re thinner and floppier. Because they’re so soft, they mold perfectly to the curves of my underwear and body. They’re ideal for everyday protection and as backup to my cup. Omaïki suggests these for pregnancy as well, and I can see how it would be nice to have that bit of protection from pregnancy discharge.
Mini-maxi pads are also 8.5″ long, ever so slightly thicker, and have a waterproof PUL backing. They’re still very soft and pliable and comfortable. I hate it when I can feel my pad bunching between my legs, but it isn’t an issue with these. Despite the waterproof lining, they’re still quite breathable and comfortable to wear. I do think they’re best used on plain cotton underwear though, as I find there is some sliding around with the PUL against “silky” undies.
Can we just stop for a minute and talk about Omaïki’s nature-inspired prints? They’re feminine and sophisticated, and I honestly don’t think I can pick a favourite. That Teal floral print is the newest print to the lineup. Isn’t it beautiful?
Each of those small wet bags is 6.5″ x 5.75″, and I received one in pastel for this review. Wet bags are a must have accessory to keep used pads in when you’re out and about. The main compartment zips closed for used pads, and it has a pocket on the side to keep clean ones in. I love having the two separate compartments, but I wish the side pocket had a zipper too so my clean pads don’t fall out into the depths of my messy purse. It looks like this has already been redesigned though, as I can see the new Teal wet bags have a snap (see above). Problem solved!
When it’s time to change your pad, here’s how to fold and snap them shut before putting them in the wet bag. This keeps all the mess inside until you get home.
Washing Your Pads
So how do you wash these? You’ll be happy to know they don’t need any special care. Personally, I just put them in with my regular laundry. Some women soak their pads in cold water before laundry day, either with or without a little bit of detergent, but I don’t. If they’re particularly soiled, I rinse them out in cold water before putting them in the wash. I have some very minor staining on my pads, but honestly they’re menstrual pads. I don’t care if they’re stained, as long as they’re clean. I haven’t noticed any significant shrinkage either, even after going through the dryer.
Win a Starter Set of Lötus Pads
Omaïki is generously giving one of my readers a Starter Kit of Lötus pads with 2 panty liners, 2 mini-maxi pads, 2 maxi pads, and a small wet bag. Enter to win your choice of any in stock kit in the giveaway widget below. This giveaway is open to residents of Canada and the US, 18+. All the winner’s entries will be verified.
Click here to check out my other open giveaways and be sure to like me on Facebook!
Disclosure: I received sample items for review. All opinions expressed are completely honest and my own, based on my personal experience. Your experience may differ.
Their Ö SANITIZER AND DISINFECTANT sounds amazing!! Sounds like it works great on cloth and surfaces!! Im all over that!!
I’d love to try the swim diaper too!
I’d love to try their swim diaper!
I would also like to try the Snack & Sandwich Gusto Bags.
I’d love to try the olive oil liniment and the daytime training pants for my sons!!
The Gusto bib looks amazing! I love how it covers their thighs and hips, and snaps to different sizes!
I would also really like to try the snack and sandwich bags!
I use cloth pads I bought from a lady on etsy. I wish I had more of them though. I have looked into Moon Pads, but they are super pricey. It’s great to see I have other options. The only problem I run into, is that I need pads without wings. Some companies seem to not make the wingless option.
I would really like to try their cloth pads, but if I chose something else it would be a diaper!
I’d like to try the snack and sandwich bags.
I would be very interested in trying out their nursing pads, I have some reusable cotton ones that just don’t do the trick and hate throwing out so many disposable ones.
Or I’d try their night time fitted diaper, I’m new to cloth diapering with flats and covers and a good night time diaper will be my next investment!
I’d be interested in trying the snack and sandwich bags.
I’d love to try the make up pads
I would also love to have the Pull up daytime trainer in Pineapples or Mustaches! SO cute!!
I am interested in the snack and sandwich bags! I have seen similar products from other companies and that was where I first learned of these.
I think I would get a small sckoon cup if i was going to order anything else. I’m really impressed by the pads, though. They are well made but not nearly as expensive as other brands.
Another eco friendly product I would love to try is a one of their cloth diapers.
I am also interested in trying Omaiki’s swim diaper!
the Snack & Sandwich Gusto Bags.
Theses look fantastic been trying to find a good cloth pad!
I’d like to try snack and sandwich gusto bags because I find that saran wrap can make the food taste plasticy (and creates waste).
I would like to try the O sleep fitted diaper. I like that it has stay dry fabric.
I’m very interested in the Lötus – Medium Incontinence pads. I’ve been wondering if anyone makes these and it’s great to find them.
I also really like the Swim Shirt – Ocean colour
I like the swim diapers!
I have sensitive skin, so I’d like to try their fragrance-free castile soap.
I’d love to try the SNACK & SANDWICH GUSTÖ BAGS.
I would like to try their newborn diaper.
I want to try the SNACK & SANDWICH GUSTÖ BAGS
The 3.0 Hybrid diaper looks really cool!
I love to try the snack and sandwich bags.i recently started focusing alot on how to contribute and be more eco friendly. So these would be awesome to add to my collection if reusable bags. I only have 3 at the moment.
I’d be interested in trying the hero training pants as my daughter is just transitioning into that phase. The prints are pretty cute and stylish!
Another product I’d be interested in trying is the Lunch Bags – Steel Grey. It would be nice to have something less bulky than my current reused yogurt containers.
I’d be interested in trying the swim diaper too!
I would like to try one of their cloth diapers. I’ve heard good things!
I would also like to try the SNACK & SANDWICH GUSTÖ BAGS
Another product from Omaiki I’d like to try is their reusable make-up pads b/c I go through so many of those cotton ones.
I really like the Newborn hat with Hearts. It was so pretty.
I’d love to try one of their diapers – the AIO, diaper cover, and fitted sleep diaper all look great. I love that they’re made in Canada and use Canadian fabrics. The forest friends print is adorable!
I am interested in the snack and sandwich bags
I’d like to try the nursing pads.
Omaiki’s training pants are really cute, I’m definitely considering picking up a few!
I would love to try the SANITIZER & DISINFECTANT. I like the fact it’s safe for the environment & delicate skin. There’s been a lot of sickness going around, so disinfecting is a plus!
I would love to try their Gusto Bibs for my daughter.
I need to get an H2O Swim Diaper! I don’t have one in my stash yet so it needs to go on my list for my next haul 🙂
I would love to try the training pants or sandwich bags. There are so many neat things!
I would love to try the hybrid or AIO diaper
I would like to try the HERÖ Daytime Training Pants.
Love the pull up daytime trainers! Might be a good idea to start a stash!
I really want to try their diapers!