GladRags

GladRags is a feminine hygiene company based in Portland, Oregon that produces reusable cloth menstrual pads and menstrual cups.^[1]

GladRags focuses on sustainability and reusability.^[2] The company's cloth pads are machine-washable and made from soft cotton flannel that folds and snaps around underwear.^[3][4] Each cloth pad includes two inserts and a holder and comes in various patterns and colors.^[5] They are made to last at least five years^[6] and are sometimes used in conjunction with menstrual cups.^[7][8][9] The company also sells the XO Flo reusable silicone menstrual cup and was formerly the primary distributor of the Moon Cup brand.^[10][11]

GladRags is owned and operated by women.^[12] It was founded in 1993 by Brenda Mallory and Karen Paule. Mallory was inspired by reusable cloth diapers. Tracy Puhl has led the company since 2011.^[10] In 2013 Puhl was named Young Entrepreneur of the Year for Oregon and Southwest Washington by the U.S. Small Business Administration.^[13] It is cruelty-free and was first certified as a B corporation in 2012.^[10] GladRags partners with a women-owned sewing company and other organizations.^[10][9]

Typical annual expenditures on disposable menstrual products were US$60 (equivalent to $113.25 in 2024) in 1999; GladRags and Natracare are among the reusable brands recommended for cost-conscious consumers.^[14] Products like GladRags, menstrual cups, and natural sea-sponge tampons are all marketed to self-described "conscientious" female consumers.^[15] Followers of the zero waste movement may use reusable-pad brands like GladRags, potentially in combination with reusable period underwear, reusable period cups or discs, and/or compostable sponge tampons.^[16] They may be used to collect menstrual blood for use as plant fertilizer.^[17]