Not All Reusable Menstrual Products Are Built the Same: A Price Comparison
As a Cloth Pad Maker, I often get asked about pricing and whether reusable menstrual products are really worth the investment. While reusable period products save money over time, not all options offer the same longevity, affordability, or quality.
Today, we’re breaking down a price comparison between two popular reusable menstrual products:
✅ Cloth Menstrual Pads
✅ Period Underwear (Thinx)
If you’ve ever wondered which is the better long-term investment, let’s do the math.
💰 The Cost of Period Underwear (Thinx Example)
Thinx Underwear (one of the most well-known brands) costs $17–$50+ per pair, according to their website.
💡 How many pairs do you actually need?
- Let’s say you bleed for 7 days with heavy flow.
- You may need 5-8 pairs per day (we’ll estimate 5 changes per day).
- That’s 35 pairs per period (not including overnight changes!).
The Cost Breakdown:
- If you buy 35 pairs of the $17 option → $595.00 for one cycle
- If you buy 35 pairs of the $50 option → $1,750.00 for one cycle
💡 But period underwear doesn’t last forever. According to Thinx, they should be disposed of and replaced after 30 washes.
Let’s say you buy 40 pairs of the $17 underwear (to account for backups).
- That’s $608.00 upfront.
- If you wash them once per month, they last 30 months (2.5 years).
- This means you’d need to replace your stash every 2.5 years.
- Over a 45-year menstruating lifespan, this would cost approximately $10,944.00.
But What If You’re Using Period Underwear as Backup?
I realize period underwear is often used for light flow/spotting or as backup to tampons, pads, or a cup.
🔸 That means you’re also spending money on tampons or a menstrual cup—which are not one-time purchases either!
🔸 A menstrual cup costs $30–$50, but many people need to replace them every 1-5 years.
🔸 Tampons add an extra recurring cost on top of the price of period underwear.
So, while period underwear alone is already expensive, using them as backup to another product means spending even more.
💰 The Cost of Reusable Cloth Menstrual Pads
Caring For’s Cloth Pads can be washed 100+ times and last years longer than period underwear.
💡 How many do you need?
- A 40-pad stash could last 4,000 washes.
- If you wash each pad once per cycle, they could last 27 years (at 100 washes per pad).
- Even if they only last 50 washes (due to wear and tear), they would still last 10 years before needing replacement.
The Cost Breakdown:
- A 10-pad Starter Stash Bundle costs $189.39.
- A 40-pad stash (4 bundles) costs $757.56 and lasts 10+ years.
- Over 45 years, you’d replace your stash 4 times, totaling $3,409.02.
💰 Final Cost Comparison Over 45 Years:
- Thinx Period Underwear → $10,944.00 (not including tampons or menstrual cups)
- Cloth Pads → $3,409.02
That’s a savings of over $7,500 when choosing cloth pads over period underwear!
💡 Other Factors to Consider
✅ Longevity – Cloth pads last significantly longer than period underwear.
✅ Health & Safety – Many period underwear brands (including Thinx) have been involved in lawsuits over harmful chemicals. Cloth pads are made with natural, organic materials.
✅ Comfort & Fit – Cloth pads stay in place better and don’t feel damp like period underwear.
✅ Environmental Impact – Reusable pads produce far less waste, lasting years longer before needing replacement.
✅ Less Frequent Replacement – Instead of replacing every 2.5 years like period underwear, a cloth pad stash lasts 10+ years.
💡 Which One Is the Better Investment?
If you only look at the upfront cost, period underwear might seem cheaper at first. But when you consider:
✔ Long-term durability
✔ Health & safety
✔ Cost-effectiveness
✔ Environmental benefits
Reusable cloth pads clearly win.
💭 Would you rather spend $10,944 or $3,409 on period products over your lifetime?
If you’re ready to make the switch to a healthier, more affordable period, check out Caring For’s Handmade Cloth Menstrual Pads