Cloth Pad FAQs
How to choose the right Noonee Wilga Cloth Pads for you.
Noonee Wilga Cloth Pads are washable and reuseable cloth pads that range from purely comfortable and practical to luxurious with wild flights of fancy. They are ideal for use during menstruation, after child-birth for the post-partum period, for mild incontinence or for mid-cycle freshness. I make these cloth pads according to your requirements, although I sometimes have items available in stock.
I plan to have a quick questionnaire available through this page to help you figure out which pads will suit you - but in the mean time, please browse the following information, then email me if you can't decide.
If you wish to skip the details - click here to go to a summary of my recommendations!
How many do I need?
You are likely to need about the same number of cloth pads a day as you would use disposible ones. Consider how many days between washing, plus allow for drying time and you can calculate the number of pads that you would need.
Outer fabrics
You can choose the fabrics for the upper, lower and inner layers according to your own requirements. For the upper and lower surfaces you may choose soft cotton flannelette, organic cotton, cotton velour, luxurious silk or gentle pinwale cord against your skin, or feel-dry microfleece or pseudochamois or suedecloth. You may prefer different fabrics top and bottom. I like to have a special cotton print on the bottom just for fun!
I have a wide variety of fabrics available for making up a special pad (or collection of pads) just for you or for a special gift. I love to find fun and different fabrics for top and bottom of the pads, and if I don't have a print exactly to your liking, I can happily pop into our nearby cotton print treasure trove where there are fabrics of almost any print you can imagine.
Absorbency
The inner absorbent layers of the pad can be made from 100% cotton fabrics such as cotton fleece or flannelette or a hemp/organic cotton french terry or even bamboo fleece. More layers = more absorbency.
Unless you have a particular requirement for something different, I would use an inner core of 55% hemp/45% organic cotton french terry fabric for absorbency. Hemp/organic cotton is an absorbent, durable fabric with antibacterial properties.
I recommend the following numbers of layers for various
menstrual uses:
- one layer - liners and light flow
- two layers - light to medium flow, late post-partum use
- three layers - medium to heavy flow, early post-partum use
If you wish to use these pads for mild incontinence, please select the absorbency according to your requirements.
Waterproofing
A waterproof layer of PUL (polyurethane laminate - commonly used in modern cloth nappies and for medical purposes for waterproofness), Taslon (moisture-resistant nylon and more breathable than PUL) or polyester fleece (moisture-resistant and more breathable) can be included within the pad, as the lower surface or as a separate lay-under liner.
Fastening
All Noonee Wilga Cloth Pads snap shut around your regular underwear using polyacetal resin snaps, metal snaps or buttons (your choice) unless you select a wingless style. Snug-fitting underwear is more comfortable when wearing cloth pads to help hold them against your body.
Length
Noonee Wilga Cloth Pads are available in 18cm (7"), 24cm (9"), 28cm (11") and 33 cm (13") lengths or other as requested.
Price
Pricing is based on length, type of external layers and number and type of internal layers.
Ordering
Some pads can be ordered through the Cloth Pad page on this site. I also list instock pads and custom slots at the Cloth Pad Shop. To discuss special requests (I always enjoy a new challenge!) please email me.
Summary of Marnie's Recommendations
For Menstrual Use
| Liner/cup backup | Light Day | Light night/Medium Day | Medium night/ Heavy Day |
Heavy night/ Super Day |
|
| Length (cm) | 18 - 24 | 18 - 24 | 24 - 28 | 28 - 33 | 33+ |
| Length (inches) | 7" - 9.5" | 7" - 9.5" | 9.5" - 11" | 11" - 13" | 13" + |
| Absorbency (layers of hemp/org cotton) |
1 - 2 | 1 - 2 | 2 | 2 - 3 | 3 + booster |
| Waterproofing | maybe | probably not | perhaps | probably | most likely |
| Width | 6cm | 6cm | 6cm | 6-7cm | 8cm |
For Post Partum Use
| Light | Moderate | Very heavy and Heavy flow |
|
| Length (cm) | 24 | 28 - 33 | 33 or more |
| Length (inches) | 9.5" | 11" - 13" | 13" or more |
| Absorbency (layers of hemp/org cotton) |
1 - 2 | 2 - 3 | 3 plus booster |
| Waterproofing | maybe | probably | most likely |
| Width | 6 cm | 7 cm | 8 cm |
For Urinary Incontinence Use
| Mild | Moderate | Heavier | |
| Length (cm) | 18 - 24 | 24 - 28 | 28 - 33 |
| Length (inches) | 7" - 9.5" | 9.5" - 11" | 11" - 13" |
| Absorbency (layers of hemp/org cotton) |
1 - 2 | 2 | 3 plus booster |
| Waterproofing | probably | probably | most likely |
| Width | 6cm | 6cm | 7cm |
If you would like to discuss your particular situation in detail, please email me.