Why did I make the switch to reusable cloth pads?
Over twenty years ago I first heard about reusable cloth pads.
Believe it or not, my initial reaction was “YUCK! That is SO gross!“
I left it at that, for a little while…
My mind kept mulling over this question;
Why would ANYONE use reusable cloth pads???
It was time to do some research! I am a researcher extraordinaire!
I LOVE to learn, and I do not like to settle for second hand information!
I have a great need to find out the truth for myself.
I had experienced issues with ‘irritation’ every month during my cycle and I began to wonder if perhaps cloth pads could help with this problem?
Through research, I was amazed at my findings, and also sad that I had not researched this earlier.
The materials and chemicals used to create reusable pads and tampons was an eye opener!
I was really quite shocked!
At this time in my life my eldest daughter was at the age where her period would be starting at any time.
I realized that I owed it to her, and to my other three younger daughters, to find out as much as I could about alternatives to paper, plastic, and chemical laden disposable period products. I didn’t know better before, but NOW I knew and there was no unknowing what I had learned.
During the course of my years with a period from the time I was 12, and now nearing menopause, my cycle has not been a pleasant one. It’s always been very heavy, and I often spent hours in the bathroom throwing up and even passing out on the bathroom floor on occasion. In my early 20’s I had two children, and then I experienced two miscarriages.
After my second miscarriage, I was diagnosed with endometriosis and was told that I may never have a full term pregnancy again. Thankfully I was blessed with three more babies, including twins. But in my research, possible links to endometriosis due to the chemicals in disposable products kept showing up. I needed to try cloth pads! If not for myself, at least for the opportunity to offer options to my four girls in hopes of possibly helping them not experience as many issues as their mom.
At this point I still found the idea of washing cloth period pads rather gross.
BUT, I was using liners daily to keep myself feeling dryer (sensory issues-if you know you know!)
It occurred to me that washing cloth liners really wouldn’t be a whole lot different than washing underwear. I decided to whip up some simple flannel liners in a shape similar to the disposable liners I was using, and at least give cloth a try.
Well… to make a long story short, as they say, the rest was history!
If you would like to research for yourself, and I highly recommend that you do, go to any search engine and type in “dangers of chemicals, menstrual pads”.
I am sure that you will be as surprised at the information you find as I was!
If you’d like to know more about my story, read on below.
Once I had used cloth liners daily and my next period began, I put on a plastic & paper disposable pad ‘as usual’ but NOTHING was ‘as usual’ ever again!
The sensory overload I experienced was unbearable! As I mentioned before, if you know-you know!
I could not get that horrible disposable pad out of my underwear and away from my body fast enough!!! It was SO odd that something I had been totally accustomed to using since I was just 12 years old had suddenly became absolutely intolerable compared to the comfort of my cloth liners!
Now that I had experienced cloth, there was just NO going back!
I could not get to my fabric and sewing machine fast enough!
On that day I created my very first period pads and I NEVER looked back!
First, they were just for me. Then online friends began asking if I’d be willing to make them some. Then they told their friends… and so began my business of reusable cloth pads. Since 2004 I have been creating, using, selling and shipping my reusable cloth pads worldwide!
Over the years I have tried to branch out my business to so many other products, hoping that something else I created would become just as popular.
But nope!
No matter how creative I get, my reusable cloth pads just keep selling like nothing else that I can come up with. I believe my success is due to the fact that I do have sensory issues so I am EXTREMELY particular about the quality of fabrics I use plus the design and the fit of a pad. It MUST be COMFORTABLE, but it must also be functional and practical!
Bringing beauty into regular everyday items is a passion of mine.
Combined with my love of high quality, colour, artistry and creativity, I just can’t help but create the best, beautiful, unique, hand dyed reusable cloth pads that I possibly can!
Since I began my business in 2004, many other pad makers have come and gone. There have been many who have copied my work and/or the work of other popular pad makers. Sometimes even admitting that they saw the success and they wanted that too. I’ve always told myself that there is room for any and all and I don’t let it bother me. *But a little shared recognition for the one who inspires someone is always nice, and some have done just that, and it’s appreciated!
As much as I’ve heard the excuse for copying as, “there’s only so many ways to make a cloth pad”, I feel that I’ve proven time and time again, that it’s still possible to have a niche one-of-a-kind product even in a market such as reusable cloth pads. There’s more to a successful business than simply creating a good product. Those who stick with it, through the hard times and all the ups and downs are those who are most passionate about what they do. I am VERY passionate about my products, and my business. I am very proud of the quality and beauty of the products that I offer. I feel that shows in my work and my attention to detail.
This business, and all my MANY wonderful worldwide customers *(see just a small portion of them in the photo collage above!) have blessed me more than I ever could have imagined! It has allowed me to be home to raise all five of my children and as they grew, my children were able to come alongside in the business to learn and create wherever their hearts and talents led them, from selling their own creations alongside mine, to helping with things like cutting fabrics, packaging, adding snaps and more!
One of our daughters still works for the business cutting most of the inner and backing fabrics.
Neither of us has any desire to stop what we’re doing any time soon. 🙂
So there you have it, the story of how Homestead Emporium first began!