🩸 How Many Cloth Pads Do I Need?
Every body — and every period — is different. That’s why there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But here’s the good news: once you find your rhythm, building your perfect SoCo Studio stash is easy.
🌙 Start With How Long Your Cycle Lasts
Most periods last 4–7 days, with 1–3 heavy days at the start and lighter flow toward the end.
Here’s a simple starting point to help you plan:
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Flow Type
|
Average Daily Pads
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Total for a Full Cycle
|
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Light Flow
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3–4 pads/day
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12–16 pads
|
|
Moderate Flow
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4–6 pads/day
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16–24 pads
|
|
Heavy Flow
|
6–8 pads/day
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24–30 pads
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👉 This range gives you enough to wear, wash, and dry without running out.
🧺 How Often You Wash Matters
Will you use cloth pads full time or part time along side other period products?
Will you use them when at home only? Will you be able to wash them when you need to wash them or will you have to wait until you can?
If you plan to wash every:
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Day or two: 8–12 pads might be plenty.
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Once per week: You’ll want closer to 15–25 pads.
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Once per month: A full set of 25–30 pads ensures you’re never short.
You can always start smaller and build up as you figure out your flow pattern and wash routine.
💧 Pro Tip: Mix Sizes for Every Day of Your Cycle
A balanced set usually includes:
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2–6 Thong Liners, regular liners or XS Pads for spotting or backup with a cup
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6–10 Regular (M–L) pads for your middle days
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5–8 Overnight (XL–3XL) for heavy flow or nighttime coverage
That gives you flexibility to match comfort and absorbency to your flow.
🌿 Why More Pads Can Actually Save You Money
Having a few extras means less frequent washing, less fabric wear, and longer-lasting pads — so your collection pays for itself.
A bigger stash allows for a longer rotation between pad use
Plus, when you have a variety of toppers (cotton, minky, stay dry, swim, etc.), you can match each day’s comfort to your mood or outfit or flow.
🧡 SoCo Studio Tip: Build Your Set Over Time
You don’t have to buy them all at once. Most SoCo customers start with a Starter Set or only buy a few pads once a month, then add more prints and sizes as they fall in love with the comfort and convenience.
✨ Bottom Line
If you bleed, you need about 12–25 cloth pads for a full, low-stress cycle — depending on your flow and wash habits.
Start small, listen to your body, and let your collection grow with you.
💧 The SoCo Studio “Find Your Flow” Formula
Not sure how many cloth pads you need? Don’t worry — we made it easy.
Use our Find Your Flow Formula to build your perfect set:
Pads Needed = (Cycle Days × Flow Level) + Wash Buffer + Lifestyle Factor
🩸 Step 1: Cycle Days
How many days do you usually bleed?
Example: 6 days
💧 Step 2: Flow Level
Pick the number that fits your flow:
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Light = 2
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Moderate = 3–4
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Heavy = 5–6
🧺 Step 3: Wash Buffer
How often do you plan to wash?
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Daily = +2 pads
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Every 2–3 days = +5 pads
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Once a week = +8 pads
🤎 Step 4: Lifestyle Factor
Are you wearing cloth full-time or part-time?
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Full-time = ×1
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Part-time = ×0.5
✨ Example
You bleed for 6 days, have a moderate flow (3 pads/day), wash every 3 days, and wear cloth full-time.
(6 × 3) + 5 × 1 = 23 pads
That’s your sweet spot — enough to wear, wash, and dry without ever running out.
🌿 The SoCo Studio Way
Every cycle looks a little different — this formula simply helps you plan your stash with confidence.
Start with what fits your lifestyle, then build your collection over time as you find your flow.
