5 best reusable sanitary pads, approved by green GLAMOUR editors
I like to think of myself as a GLAMOUR guinea pig, road-testing all the latest wellness launches — including a selection of reusable sanitary pads — to work out which are actually worth paying the shipping costs for.
Seriously, I've spent every cycle for the last two years trialling a host of period pants (or period swimwear when on holiday), menstrual cups and no-plastic pads to locate the best zero-waste period products. Because I'm kind of over paying for single-use options and slapping the planet with difficult-to-degrade plastic waste too.
Yep, the Women's Environmental Network (WEN) estimates that up to 90% of single-use menstrual pads contain plastic. It also suggests that up to two billion period products, such as tampons and sanitary towels, are flushed down Britain's toilets each year, resulting in period pollution.
Reusable pads are, at least in my friendship group, one of the lesser known options when it comes to eco-conscious period protection. Working just like period pants, these menstrual products work to absorb blood, discharge and urine, helping you stay dry and stain-free for up to 12 hours a day. So, why are we sleeping on them?
No more, as I've rounded up my reusable sanitary pad favourites below, as well as answers to all your FAQs on this plastic-free period underwear option.
Being honest about periods is the first step to change.
Ahead, the best reusable sanitary pads for 2025, approved by GLAMOUR editors:
Pros:
- Fast-wicking and odour-proof.
- Vegan certified, organic, plus the brand does carbon insetting to minimise its environmental impact.
- Multi-buy savings (buy three and save 5%, five for 10% and seven pads for 15% off) mean this can't be considered an indulgent splurge.
Cons:
- Just one colour and design option.
Tested by: Sophie Donovan, Senior Commerce Writer.
An all-rounder winner, considering these reusable pads are easy to attach to your existing cotton underwear, fast-drying and odour-proof. Even after a 12-hour wear on day three of my monthly flow, I had no issues with unpleasant smells. Fitted with DAMEdry technology — AKA five layers of comfort, including an organic cotton top with a super-absorbent middle — each pad can hold up to 20 times its weight in fluid, whether that's discharge, blood or urine. With four absorbency options (mini, liner, regular or night), one of these worked for every day of my period, all virtually undetectable under my jeans (yep, another perk when compared to period pants is no risk of a VPL).
Pros:
- Made with GOTS Certified Organic Cotton.
- The heavy option can hold up to 40ml of blood — the equivalent of 7 tampons' worth of fluid.
Cons:
- Not as secure due to the solo popper.
Tested by: Sophie Donovan, Senior Commerce Writer.
It's no secret that we love WUKA's extensive range of period pants and period swimwear, but the brand has also excelled when it comes to reusable sanitary pads. Available in three absorbencies — light, medium and heavy — these attach to your undergarments via a single popper. I appreciated the COOLMAX gusset fabric, which kept me dry all day, even on the day of my heaviest flow, plus the fact that these come in packs of two, providing me with one for day and another for night. No leaks, no chafing, no complaints.
Save when you shop the best reusable sanitary pads with these WUKA discount codes.
Pros:
- Also suitable for light bladder leakage and postpartum care.
- Tumble-dryer friendly.
Cons:
- That black colourway is detectable through lighter-coloured base layers.
Tested by: Sophie Donovan, Senior Commerce Writer.
Discrete and simple — even when you're wearing close-fitting clothing like yoga pants — these ultra-thin, ultra-absorbent reusable sanitary pads can hold up to five tampons' worth of liquid. Even better news: the delicate silicone pattern on the underside guarantees it stays put. Yep, big goodbye to uncomfortable bunching!
Eco Lily Reusable Sanitary Pads
Pros:
- Best for the budget-conscious, considering you get 6 pads and a changing bag in every pack.
Cons:
- A little bulkier than some others in our lineup.
Tested by: Sophie Donovan, Senior Commerce Writer.
Fitted with a double layer of an ultra-absorbent microfiber and an odour-absorbing bamboo charcoal fleece layer, these are certainly absorbent. While they're not fast-wicking, they are great for those heavy flow days when you're vegging on the sofa or working from home. I loved the marbled underside, making them easy to locate in my undies drawer, and the fact that every set comes with a changing bag to stow your soiled pads until you get home.
Save when you shop the best reusable sanitary pads with these Amazon discount codes.
DAME Reusable Interlabial Pads
Pros:
- Best suited to spotting and discharge.
- Undetectable under clothing.
Cons:
- One size fits most, but not all.
Tested by: Sophie Donovan, Senior Commerce Writer.
If you're used to wearing panty liners daily, these are the reusable pads for you. These interlabial pads are rolled and sit between your labia — the external part of your vagina, better known as the vulva — working to prevent leaks and stains from ageing your existing underwear. Like the brand's OG pad, these are crafted from fast-wicking hypoallergenic cotton that quickly draws moisture away from the skin. If I'm honest, they take a little getting used to, and even getting your head round considering they work against gravity, but now I wouldn't go back.
Period.
What are reusable sanitary pads made from?
Reusable sanitary pads are generally made from either bamboo or cotton. Take the DAME Reusable Period Pad: the core of these pads is made from a polyamide, polyester and lycra layer that draws moisture away from your skin in seconds. The top and bottom outer layers are made from lyocell and organic cotton, super-soft natural fibres which feel comfortable against the skin.
How often should you change your reusable sanitary pads?
It depends on your flow and the absorbency of the pad you opt for. Let's look at the DAME Reusable Period Pad again, fitted with five secure layers that allow it to hold 20 times its weight. For reference, a majority of our testers felt the need to change theirs between the six and eight-hour mark, stowing theirs in a changing bag before chucking it in the washing machine ahead of a cool, low-spin cycle.
Mind-blowing menstrual intel, right this way.
How do you clean reusable sanitary pads?
Similar to period pants, caring for your reusable pads isn’t much different to looking after any other underwear. Rinse away any large clots under the tap before popping them in the washing machine (we recommend on a 30-degree cycle) and leave to air dry.
And for those worrying they might smell before post-wear, pre-wash, we can confirm they don't. As with single-use period pads, most are crafted with odour-eliminating layers to keep you feeling dry and fresh.
Are reusable sanitary pads any good?
Forget what you thought you knew, because reusable sanitary towels aren't smelly, bulky or unhygienic. In fact, they tend to have a better absorbency than their single-use counterparts, come fitted with odour-eliminating layers and quick-drying properties. Plus, if you need to change them throughout the day, most come with changing bags you can store your used pads in. Easy.
