The downside: The so-called pink tax — an extra charge for products aimed at women simply because they’re packaged in pink and floral designs — still persists across much of the nation.
Until the U.S. follows Scotland’s lead and provides free sanitary supplies, people who menstruate must keep searching for ways to trim costs on essential items.
Knotty Vibes, a new company co-founded by Sheila Oh and Courtney Davis, aims to provide those who can’t afford feminine-care supplies with free access to products that help them manage their reproductive health confidently.
Knotty Vibes offers customers complimentary menstrual cups and reusable pads with no purchase necessary. Just place an order on the company’s site, cover a modest shipping fee, and the discreetly packaged items arrive in roughly ten days (longer for international deliveries).
I spoke with Oh to find out more about the initiative and the products they provide.
“People with reproductive systems already spend about $18,000 over a lifetime on feminine products, not even counting sales tax,” Oh said. “It’s not reasonable to expect anyone to shoulder that expense when we’re still earning around 80 cents for every dollar a man makes.”
Reusable cups and cloth pads have caught on with Savinly readers.
Many choose them for reasons such as cutting down on disposable-waste, saving money in the long term and avoiding chemically treated items in contact with their bodies.
At first glance, cups and cloth pads may appear more cumbersome than tampons or single-use pads, but Oh described them as “fairly low-maintenance.”
“Using the pads is extremely straightforward,” Oh explained. “Rinse with cold water, wash with cold water and toss in the washing machine with the rest of your laundry. They won’t stain or ruin your garments.”
Oh advised that menstrual cups be rinsed after emptying and boiled every few uses to sanitize them.
The pads are meant for medium to light flow days, and Oh doesn’t advise them for very heavy bleeding.
“For heavy flow, I suggest the cup because it can handle larger amounts and be worn for up to eight hours,” she said.
There’s no cap on how many cups and pads a customer may request.
“Order as many as you need. We encourage people to share them with friends and family,” Oh said.
Shipping to U.S. addresses starts at $7.99 for a single item and $10.99 for any mix of the two products. International customers might face higher shipping charges due to carrier rates and customs fees.
If you’re comparison shopping, menstrual cups range in price from $7.50 with free shipping at Walmart up to $39.99 at Target.
Reusable cloth pads can be found at Walmart starting at $5.94 with free shipping at Walmart up to $18.99 for a 3-pack at Target.
“We charge for shipping because it’s an added expense that allows us to continue donating,” Oh said. “Keeping overhead low helps us give away more.”
The company’s philanthropy goes beyond free giveaways. In collaboration with the social-activism nonprofit Pledgeling, Knotty Vibes allocates a share of every sale to support 12 women’s wellness organizations.
For readers exploring alternatives to tampons and disposable pads, consider looking into tampon alternatives and resources for obtaining free feminine hygiene products 2.
Hannah Porter is a contributing writer at Savinly. She enjoys sharing practical tips for affordable health and wellness — find her on Twitter if you’ve got a story to share.
