FAQ

Welcome to the Millie Pad™ FAQ—everything you need to know about our reusable cloth menstrual pads. If you're new to Millie Pads, you probably have lots of questions. Learn the how and why behind using Millie Pads here, plus find answers to the most common questions about making the switch from disposable to reusable menstrual products.

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What are Millie Pads?

Millie Pads are reusable cloth pads that are washable menstrual pads made from absorbent fabric. They work just like a disposable pad — only better. You wear them in your underwear to absorb menstrual flow, then wash and reuse them for years.

Millie Pads™, for example, are made with:

  • A soft, comfortable top layer (against your skin)
  • An absorbent core to soak up moisture quickly
  • A waterproof bottom layer to protect your underwear
  • They also have wings with snaps that secure them in place — no shifting, bunching, or surprise leaks.

Why switch from disposable pads to Millie Pads?

There are many benefits to switching from disposable pads to reusable Millie Pads™ — including comfort, sustainability, cost savings, and more. If you’re curious about the differences, this blog post explains Why More People Are Making The Switch and what makes reusable period care such a powerful choice.

Here’s a closer look at what sets Millie Pads™ apart — and why so many people are making the change:

Health:

Reusable cloth pads like Millie Pads™ are often a thoughtful choice for your body, especially if you have sensitive skin or reactions to conventional period products.

Many disposable pads and tampons contain synthetic materials, plastic backings, chemical adhesives, and artificial fragrances. These ingredients can trap heat and moisture, which some people find irritating. Some also include absorbent gels and may contain chemical byproducts like dioxins, phthalates, and PFAS.

Millie Pads™ are different. They’re made with breathable, fragrance-free fabrics that allow airflow and reduce the chance of discomfort for many users. They contain no chlorine-bleached fibers, no mystery ingredients, and no artificial scents — just thoughtfully selected, high-quality textiles.

Reusable pads may be especially appreciated by people with:

  • Skin sensitivities
  • Vulvar irritation
  • Sensitivities to fragrance or dyes
  • Concerns about materials in disposables

Curious about our materials? Visit our Fabric Guide Page for a full breakdown of the fabrics we use and why we chose them.

Environmental:

Reusable cloth pads like Millie Pads™ are significantly better for the environment than disposable pads and tampons.

Each year, the U.S. alone discards 12 billion pads and 7 billion tampons. Most of these contain plastic linings, wrappers, and applicators that can take 500 to 800 years to break down. Over a lifetime, one menstruating person may use between 2,000 and 16,000 disposable products.

This adds up to:

  • Mounting landfill waste
  • Microplastics entering waterways
  • Significant carbon emissions from manufacturing and transport

Millie Pads™ offer a powerful alternative. Just one reusable pad can replace up to 250 disposables. Because they’re made to last 3–5+ years, your waste output drops dramatically. Fewer products manufactured means fewer emissions, less packaging, and a smaller environmental footprint overall.

We make our pads with sustainable materials like organic cotton and bamboo, and we ship orders in plastic-free, recyclable packaging. Our small-batch production process also reduces the energy, water, and waste typically associated with mass-produced period care.

🌍 Because your period shouldn’t cost the planet. Choosing reusable menstrual care is a small change that adds up to a big impact — for your body and the Earth.

Economical:

Millie Pads™ are a smart financial choice that save you money cycle after cycle.

If you currently spend $15 to $30 a month on disposable pads or tampons, that adds up to $180 to $360 every year. With proper care, Millie Pads can last 3–5 years or longer.

For example:

  • A starter set of 10 Millie Pads may cost $120–$150
  • Used over 5 years = 1,200+ uses
  • Compared to disposables = meaningful savings over time

And it’s not just about the numbers. When you purchase from Millie Essentials, you're supporting a woman-owned small business — not a large corporation.

Period Positivity:

Many people find that switching to reusable pads transforms not only how they manage their period, but how they feel about it.

Your menstrual cycle is a healthy, natural part of life — but for generations, cultural shame and stigma have made it something to hide. Reusable cloth pads help change that narrative. They invite you to care for your body in a way that’s intentional, gentle, and even beautiful.

When you rinse and wash your pads, choose your favorite colors or prints, and notice the patterns of your flow, you naturally become more in tune with your body.

Curious to learn even more about the benefits of switching to reusables?

👉 Check out our blog: Reusable vs Disposable Pads: Why More People Are Making the Switch

How do you use Millie Pads?

It’s simple! You use Millie Pads similarly to disposable pads, minus the “dispose” part. Place the Millie Pad in your underwear with the soft side facing up. Wrap the wings around your underwear and snap them together to hold it in place. When it is time to change, simply remove the Millie Pad and replace it with a clean one. If you are having troubles with the Millie Pad shifting around and not staying in place, you may need to size up. Millie Pads are not made with any type of adhesive to hold it in place. Please make sure you are wearing underwear that fits snugly so it will help hold the Millie Pad in place.

How often do you need to change a Millie Pad?

Cloth pads should be changed about as often as disposable ones — usually every 4 to 6 hours, or more often if you have a heavy flow (sometimes as often as every hour).

Just like with disposables, listen to your body and check in periodically. You’ll get to know your flow better over time. Trust your body and change as needed.

How do you use Millie Pads when you’re not at home?

Using Millie Pads on the go is simple with a little preparation.

Just pack a few clean pads in a Millie Pad™ Wrapper, which keeps them discreet and protected in your bag. When it's time to change, swap out your used pad for a fresh one, then fold the soiled pad and place it in the waterproof wrapper. The wrapper seals securely to contain any moisture or odor until you get home.

Once you're back, rinse or wash the used pad as usual, or place it in a Wet Bag to store until laundry day. The wet bag is perfect for holding all your used pads throughout your cycle — no leaks, no smell, and no stress.

With Millie Wrappers and Wet Bags, staying comfortable and sustainable on the go is easy — no landfill guilt required.

Want more real-life tips? We wrote a full blog on Using Millie Pads On-The-Go with packing ideas, travel tips, and FAQs.

How many Millie Pads do you need?

You can replace any disposable period product you currently use with a Millie Pad. The number of Millie Pads you need will depend on how many disposable items you are trying to replace. For example, if you use 15 disposable maxi pads per cycle, you could replace those with 15 Millie Pads. Some people find they only need 6–8 Millie Pads during their cycle, while others use 20+. Most people fall somewhere in between.

If you don’t want to get a full set of Millie Pads initially, you can start with a partial set and wash them midway through your period and use them again.

Important tip: you don't have to go all in to get started with Millie Pads. You can start with just a few to test them out and see how they work with your period. This is a good way to replace some of your disposable products as it suits your budget.

It is a good idea to purchase a few Millie Pads of varying sizes and fabric types so you can find what you like best and then build your collection based on your personal needs.

How to choose your Millie Pad size?

Sizing is simple — measure the length of a disposable pad you usually wear, then match it to the closest Millie Pad™ in length. For full details and tips, see our Sizing Guide.

How do you clean your Millie Pads?

See our Cleaning and Care Guide for everything you need to know!

Can Millie Pads be used for incontinence?

Yes — many people use Millie Pads™ for light bladder leaks or mild stress incontinence (like dribbles from laughing, sneezing, or exercising). They’re much more breathable and comfortable than disposable liners, especially for sensitive skin.

That said, Millie Pads™ are not labeled for medical use. For moderate to heavy incontinence, we recommend using a product specifically designed for that purpose.

Do you offer a daily-use liner?

We are currently working to expand our products and include daily-use liners. Sign up for our email list to be alerted when new products are added to our website.

What types of fabrics do we use?

See our Fabric Guide for everything you need to know about the various fabrics we are using.

Are Millie Pads plastic-free?

Millie Pads™ are designed to reduce single-use plastic waste. Disposable pads are made with up to 90% plastic and thrown away after just a few hours of use, while ours are reusable and carefully crafted for comfort, absorbency, and durability.

For reliable leak protection, we use a special performance fabric (Zorb® 4D Stay Dry Dimple ECO-PUL™) that combines absorbency with a thin waterproof backing made from flexible TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane). This layer is what makes Millie Pads™ leak-resistant while staying soft and comfortable to wear. It is USA-made, CPSIA-compliant, and tested free from harmful substances such as PFAS, PFOS, PFOA, phthalates, lead, dioxins, BPA. The lamination process is also eco-conscious, designed without releasing VOCs into the environment.

For a breakdown of all the fabrics we use, see our Fabric Guide.

💡 In short: Millie Pads™ avoid the crinkly, throwaway plastics found in disposables, but do include advanced fabrics that make them safe, reusable, and reliably leak-proof for years of use.