Written by: Olipriya Roy
Aunt flow is somehow, somewhere always around the corner and often decides to pop up unexpectedly. Sometimes, it catches us unguarded — without any sanitary product available nearby. In such cases, making emergency pads out of household items, fast aid items or even washroom essentials is pretty easy. They require simple items and a little bit of effort. Here are a few ways to make them:
Toilet paper emergency pad
In situations where you have nothing except toilet paper, you can always use a thick multi-layered pad made of toilet paper. This makeshift pad can be used when you have nothing else around and can give you coverage for an hour or two depending upon your flow. The process, though, can be very messy and using clean toilet paper is always recommended.
Socks makeshift pads
Socks are liquid as well as sweat-absorbent, hence, they can be easily used to make a makeshift pad during emergencies. Wrapping a newspaper around the sock after giving it a square napkin shape prevents it from shifting a lot. These pads make up for efficient temporary pads and can provide coverage for a couple of hours, depending on your menstrual flow.
Cotton wool pad
Makeshift pads made out of cotton wool are easy to make and also provide coverage. Cotton wool, just like socks, is absorbent. A rectangular-shaped and pad like-sized cotton wool piece can be easily made into an emergency pad. However, wrapping the piece of wool in toilet paper is a must and multi-layered wrapping is always recommended.
Washcloth pads
Using washcloths as makeshift pads are not an uncommon practice. I have seen my mother use it numerous times and I have to use it several times as well. Washcloth pads have given me coverage up to four hours and that is as long as a regular pad. Here are a few things you need to always keep in mind while using a washcloth pad. A clean washcloth is the first thing you would want to use. Only a thoroughly cleaned and absorbent washcloth should be used for a makeshift pad.
There are three major ways to use a washcloth in a sanitary pad. The first one uses a rectangular pad-shaped absorbent clean cloth as a pad. This can, however, lead to leakage and provide coverage only up to an hour. The second way is to use a plastic sheet underneath the washcloth. This can last as long as two to four hours. The third way is to wrap toilet paper around the same washcloth to secure it further from shifting inside your underwear.
Cotton ball pads
Cotton balls, too, can be used as a temporary absorbent material. They are generally available in first aid boxes and are quite absorbent. Use seven to eight pieces of cotton balls together as an absorbent. It is important to remember to use only non-coloured cotton calls. Wrapping up these cotton balls in toilet paper and giving them a pad-like structure makes for a good makeshift pad.
Rag pads
Emergency rag pads can be made if urgent. One thing to remember when using a rag is to check if they are liquid absorbent or not. Menstrual blood tends to be thick for most of us and using non-absorbent material can only lead to messy disasters. Rag pads such as washcloth pads require cleanliness. Please do not use unclean rags as a part of your emergency pad.
Pads made of rags can be made by using a single rectangular rag wrapped around in toilet paper to ensure less shifting. If available, you can always use two pieces of rags instead of one. Using two pieces increases coverage time and decreases chances of leakage.
Tips for using makeshift pads
- Paper towels, paper napkins or tissues can be used to replace toilet paper in case toilet paper is unavailable or unattainable.
- Using toilet paper to secure your pad is always recommended. It prevents the pad from shifting.
- It is always recommended to use clean products while making emergency pads.
- It is not recommended to use wipes as replacement of toilet paper because they may irritate your private parts/public region.
- It is advised to carry panty liners and period panties in case you have no other sanitary product with you.
- You cannot reuse the cloth rag cloth you used to make an emergency pad for other purposes. It is advised to discard them.
- It is advisable to use your preferred sanitary product as soon as possible because these are only temporary fixations.