QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
How many CSP do I need? The average person uses about 6 pads a day whether they use cloth or disposables, so it depends on how often you are able to wash them and how light or heavy your flow is, some wash daily, some mid cycle and some at the end of their cycle. Please bare in mind a cloth pad air drying time which is 12-24hrs depending on the temperature of your home.
How often do I have to change my CSP? You change as you do disposables as and when you feel the need to.
CSP won't work for me as I have a heavy flow? Even more reason to use CSP as CSP are far more absorbent than any disposable. Many CSP users suffer from Endo, PCOS and other conditions that cause a heavy flow.
What size do I need? A disposable is approximately 10" so this is a good guide to go by, if you bleed off the front or back of the disposable pad you need longer, if you feel a disposable is too long for you go shorter.
What width are Crimson Moon CSP? Our core widths are 2.5inch - 2.75inch. Our larger pads that are 15" and over have a 3inch width core
I'm a petite adult or buying for a teen/tweenager. Can I still use CSP?
Yes our slim pads have a core width of 2" and come in either 7.5 inch or 9 inch. Perfect for children and petite adults.
What flow do I need? CSP come in different flows, regs, heavies, supers/postpartum so buy as you would disposables, as our flow changes over our period many choose to purchase a variety of different flows and lengths.
What way up do I wear my CSP? ​Crimson Moon CSP are worn pretty side towards your body, although this differs from make to make.
How do CSP stay in place? They have wings like disposables that fasten with a popper that around your underwear, also the Softshell and Prosoft fabric that is used as a backer is very grippy.
Do I need special underwear? You just need a good snug fitting pair of Bridget Jones... Thongs, french knickers, loose boy shorts will not hold either a CSP or disposable in place.
Do cloth pads smell? CSP don’t smell as long as you change regularly, you may get a slight iron smell if you lift the pad to your nose but there is no awful odour that can be smelt through clothing like you can sometimes with disposables. The reason disposables smell is because your bodily fluids are mixed with chemicals and your body fluids react with the chemicals making them unpleasant at times, this is why many disposable manufacturers use heavy scented perfumes in the production of their pads.
How long will a CSP last? With the correct care your Crimson Moon pads will last for many many years to come. There are some methods of care that you may see online that will reduce the life span Tumble Drying on hot - This is a harsh process of drying and hot can melt the poppers, so use a cool tumble or even better air dry
Soak in salty water - Some may recommend soaking in salt as salt is a stain remover, however salt also rots fabrics, especially cottons and threads, so your pads may deteriorate faster using salt. Use a stain stick/stain remover especially designed for fabrics such as Oxi.
Do I soak and wash my CSP with hot water? No never! hot can set stains, CSP love cold water, 30c is great as its warm enough to kill bacteria with detergent.
Are CSP unhygienic? It's a misconception that disposables are sterile, they are not and the almost fluorescent white pads are bleached to make you believe they are cleaner and are the better option. Wash your CSP correctly with detergent and your pads are perfectly safe and hygienic. Also the fabrics we use in our Crimson Moon CSP are antibacterial and anti-odour.
How many postpartum CSP do I need? Don't go crazy, there is no need to exclusively buy PP pads for after the birth of your baby, although most ladies bleed for up to 6 weeks after birth its usually only the first week that is extremely heavy. So bulk out the stash you already have with some extra PPs/Supers. If you are new to CSP get a good mix of PP's Heavies and Regs.
Will panty liners be ok for my period? No, a panty liner is used for everyday wear for normal discharge and to keep you fresh during the day, some ladies also use them for menstrual cup or menstrual sponge back up or when your period is due or just ended when you may get very light spotting. Crimson Moon liners do have an absorbency layer of one layer of Organic Cotton Fleece for added absorbency to cater for spotting and/or discharge.
Are CSP vegan? Yes! According to PETA cloth menstrual pads are vegan, but only those that don’t contain silk, wool, or any other products taken from an animal. Here at Crimson Moon we do not use any fabrics that are derived from animals or animal by-products.
We are very transparent with the fabrics we use and have used the same suppliers for many years. Listed here are the fabrics we use in the construction of our CSP
Toppers
100% cotton
Cotton lycra 95% cotton, 5% lycra aka spandex, Lycra is a manmade fabric and is vegan
French Terry 95% cotton, 5% lycra, same composition of cotton lycra
Organic cotton velour 100% cotton
Bamboo velour 65% bamboo 35% cotton
- We dye our own bamboo and cotton velours using vegan Procion MX fabric dyes
Cores
Organic brushed cotton 100% cotton
Organic cotton fleece 100% cotton
Organic cotton & bamboo zorb - zorb fibres are manmade and vegan
Stay dry polyester zorb - 100% manmade (Only used in our incontinence pads)
CSP backs
Softshell
Prosoft - Stretch-FIT Organic Cotton Fleece Waterproof Eco-PUL™ Fabric (W-381) PUL is manmade and vegan
Notions
Thread. We currently use Coats Moon thread, Gutermann, Maxilock and Mettler brands, all of which are 100% polyester threads. We are currently making the switch and replacing all our thread to Coats Ecoverde and recycled Gutermann eco thread. We estimate the full transition will happen by the end of 2021.
Snap fasteners. We use the brand Kam
CLOTH MENSTRUAL PAD LINGO Don't let the lingo put you off
CSP = Cloth Sanitary Protection
AMP = Alternative Menstrual Protection
IC = Incontinance
IC Pad = Incontinance Pad
AF = Aunt Flo, slang for your period
PP = Post Partum, heavy bleeding after giving birth
100% Cotton = Fabric used for tops of pads
Jersey aka CL (cotton lycra) = Fabric used for tops of pads
BV = Bamboo Velour, plush shiny fabric used for tops of pads
CV = Cotton Velour, plush matt fabric used for tops of pads
FT = French Terry, Fabric used for tops of pads
Zorb = Absorbent fabric used in pad cores Zorb has a miriad of different kind such as Classic, Zorb2, Zorb3d, Zorb Silverdur, Zorb Diamond, Zorb Dimple
Bamboo Fleece = Absorbent Fabric used in cores
Hemp Fleece = Absorbent fabric used in cores
Charcoal Bamboo Fleece = An absorbent core fabric thats been treated at high temperatures with charcaol to avoid odour, used especially in IC pads
SHOBF = Super Heavy Organic Bamboo Fleece, Highly absorbent bamboo fleece used for cores
PUL = Polyurethane Laminate is a waterproof thin lining fabric which is soft, breathable and flexible used in IC Pads
Softshell = Backing fabric
WP = Windpro, Water resistant backing fabric
Front Bleeder = A person who bleeds towards the front of a pad
Back Bleeder = A person who bleeds towards the back of a pad
Central bleeder = A person who bleeds in the centre of a pad
Snaps or Poppers = The snap fasteners that close the pad securely around your underwear
KAM = Brand of snaps/Poppers