There’s paperless. And then there’s EW!
Posted by pittgirl on 15 Jul 2008 | Tagged as: Eye rolls, Weird Burghers
On the bus this morning, I noticed that photo in the PG and the photo went with a story entitled: “Paper cutter: Wilkins mom goes to great lengths to make paperless household work.”
So I went to the caption thinking I’m going to read about how right there in this picture she is sewing maybe some homemade book covers for the kids, or maybe a change purse, or a children’s book, or a fanny pack. In fact, you could ask me to stick ANY WORD into this sentence “She is sewing _________________” and I would run through words like “a refrigerator” or “hate mail to Marian Hossa” or “howler monkeys” before I would ever get to the REAL word that completes that caption:
An expert seamstress, Mary Beth Karchella-MacCumbee makes paperless products in her home workshop. Here she is stitching menstrual pads.
[thud]. I stifled a laugh then looked sheepishly around the bus after the sudden guffaw and bowed my head to my paper as my seatmate looked quizzically at me.
It immediately got better/worse:
But surely there’s got to be toilet paper, right? Not for this family. There’s no paper towels, facial tissues or toilet paper. Instead, she sews cloth personal wipes out of hemp velour, cotton flannel, cotton velour or bamboo fleece.
What? NO TOILET PAPER?!?! Not even after Granny goes in there and does some wild nasty green goo? Not even if someone has diarrhea? (sidenote: spellcheck suggested “beforehand” in place of my misspelled “diarrhea”)
Used personal wipes go into a waterproof bag and then are emptied into a diaper pail. From there they’re washed and used again.
My mouth dropped open and I turned to my seat mate, “I’m sorry. This is offending my delicate sensibilities. Can you imagine the STINK during the diaper pail to washer transfer!?” My seatmate pretended to fall asleep.
One of her friends in Michigan sells crocheted cotton tampons and panty liners made of hemp, cotton and organic velour from an Internet Web site.
CROCHETED COTTON TAMPONS?! That you insert into your body? Then remove? THEN WASH AND USE AGAIN?! My seatmate looked concerned as I kept saying, “What? What. WHAT?!?!” to my newspaper. Like it held the answers. I read on.
“I’ve gotten three years out of my first set of [menstrual] pads,” she said,
And that’s when I knew.
I’m on Candid Camera, aren’t I?
Also, girls, here’s some pretty tampons for you to look at and imagine inserting into your vagina, ONLY after praying to the Gods of Toxic Shock Syndrome.
OMG. GREAT BAND NAME!
105 Comments »
on 15 Jul 2008 at 9:19 am 1.Ginny said …
There. Are. No. Words.
on 15 Jul 2008 at 9:23 am 2.JamieO said …
I am down with environmental. We have a large veggie garden that uses no chemicals and buy local eggs and meat via a CSA.
But, you know, this is going a bit too far.
A bit.
And PittGirl, read the posts in that message board you linked. The one woman not imaging there could be any health risks to yarn tampons. Heh.
on 15 Jul 2008 at 9:25 am 3.SK said …
It says she’s a mom. Can you imagine how her children are feeling at this very moment knowing their mother’s picture/name is in that article.
Poor poor children…
on 15 Jul 2008 at 9:26 am 4.Ex-Pat Pittsburgh Girl said …
Uh….um… definitely not.
on 15 Jul 2008 at 9:28 am 5.PITTchickINnny said …
You’ve GOT to be f*ckin’ kidding me!!! I wonder if those wicked cool crochet tampons come with recycled-milk-jug plastic applicators, or do you just shove them on in there?
on 15 Jul 2008 at 9:35 am 6.pittgirl said …
chickINnny,
HAH!
on 15 Jul 2008 at 9:37 am 7.NY Luvs Pitts said …
AWWW HELL NO!!!
on 15 Jul 2008 at 9:38 am 8.greg said …
thats the eeewww article of the year. I don’t know what is more gross the tp or the tampon………
on 15 Jul 2008 at 9:40 am 9.Burghthing said …
Who needs tp, just use the old backyard hose.
I swear people in this country have lost their frelling minds.
on 15 Jul 2008 at 9:47 am 10.Kat said …
I subscribe to Bust magazine, which always has ads for reuseable sea sponge tampons and fabric pads, to which I always say “hell no.” I recycle, and try to be responsible, but I have my limits. Some things need to go away to the landfill.
on 15 Jul 2008 at 9:49 am 11.lovesthenorthside said …
that is one frigging house of gross.
on 15 Jul 2008 at 9:51 am 12.Mrs Pitsberger said …
I think I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.
on 15 Jul 2008 at 9:51 am 13.Susie said …
I wouldn’t expect anyone to go this far… but part of me says so what and good for her. As long as you’re willing to do the work required to make sure everything gets absolutely clean, and are willing to put up with the unpleasant “nastiness” then go for it. It’s certainly not for me, but “to each his own.”
on 15 Jul 2008 at 10:02 am 14.Sigh. said …
This makes me want to kidnap that shiny sewing machine and make some cute skirts on it or something. Part of me says “whatever, to each his/her own” too, and part of me says “what a waste of skills.”
You can get TP that’s been recycled BEFORE you use it. Is that so hard? You know, rather than buying all those bolts of non-recycled fabric? Oh, well. You pick your battles, I guess. Like a vegetarian in a leather coat.
on 15 Jul 2008 at 10:03 am 15.Arika said …
W.O.W.
on 15 Jul 2008 at 10:11 am 16.Christina said …
Is it really good for someone to be using the same pads over and over again for three years? Granted, she is washing them, but wouldn’t bacteria still find its way into the fabric? I don’t even like to use the same pad for an hour. If I’m contributing to the landfill while I’m on the rag, then so be it.
I mean, good for her, if she wants to do this and live a paper free life. I can only imagine, though, when her kids go to college and they’ve got their own personal diaper pail and are stinking up their dorm rooms for the sake of eco-friendly toilet paper. When they have to start lugging their personal cloth toilet wipes to the laundry room everyday, I have a feeling some ways of life are going to change.
on 15 Jul 2008 at 10:17 am 17.Virginia said …
If I could remember exactly whose blog I saw it on, I’ve seen patterns for the menstrual pads. If I ever find it again, I could post it to you. lol!
I have a friend who used the cloth diapers for both her kids. I give them kudos because that just grossed me out.
But toliet paper? Seriously. that’s…too overboard for me.
on 15 Jul 2008 at 10:23 am 18.Stephanique1 said …
What’s next…homemade condoms??
on 15 Jul 2008 at 10:34 am 19.Jeff Reed's Puke (aka unsatisfied) said …
this just gives a whole new meaning to the term “green”…..
on 15 Jul 2008 at 10:35 am 20.Sarah said …
What do visitors to their household use? Do they have fancy “Guest” embroidered toilet wipes like some people have fancy guest hand towels? “Oh, don’t use those toilet wipes -they’re only for guests!”
on 15 Jul 2008 at 10:37 am 21.Kelli said …
Sigh - how do you know she is buying bolts of un-recycled fabric?
I don’t go to extremes any where near what this lady does. But I haven’t bought new fabric for a project in ages. It is plenty easy to recycle existing clothing and I’ve often bought fabric at places like Goodwill. Plus my friends and I swap whatever leftovers we might have.
I just don’t think using fabric, source unknown, is any where near the same as a vegetarian in a leather jacket.
on 15 Jul 2008 at 10:40 am 22.Chelly said …
they - those tampons could double as cat toys!
Seriously, though…it’s terrible
on 15 Jul 2008 at 10:46 am 23.spoon said …
When she washes the clothes do they swell up from retaining water?
What happens if she’s outside when it rains?
on 15 Jul 2008 at 11:14 am 24.Muddypelican said …
I’m guessing this chick hangs her clothes to dry, I’d hate to have to see her clothesline …
on 15 Jul 2008 at 11:19 am 25.Muddypelican said …
The tampon knitter also said she “throws them in the washer at the end of the week with the towels.”
Awesome.
on 15 Jul 2008 at 11:20 am 26.Nel said …
She says this all gives her more time to devote to her family.
I’m confused, how?
Jesus, she’s spending all that time sewing, doing laundry.
How about the o-zone layer? she better be using some kind of air freshener!
on 15 Jul 2008 at 11:22 am 27.Susan said …
One of the restrooms at the Carnegie Science Center had interesting facts about the origins of the toilet and toilet paper. I think it said that in ancient Rome they used a sponge on a stick that soaked in salt water between uses (and users). I thought that was gross, but I think it might be better than this!
on 15 Jul 2008 at 11:27 am 28.bob said …
Used personal wipes go into a waterproof bag and then are emptied into a diaper pail. From there they’re washed and used again.
PUKE PUKE PUKE
on 15 Jul 2008 at 11:30 am 29.c in york said …
LOL !!! I wonder if they come in themes ?
Perhaps pink with a bunny face for Easter.
Red white and blue for independence day.
Just when you think you’ve seen it all, life hits you with a big WTF.
on 15 Jul 2008 at 11:43 am 30.Mitch Cumstein said …
There is ONE good thing about this post - we have a great new euphemism. Just the other day, both my dogs had bad, bad cases of the “beforehands.” Sure beats the “green apple splatters.”
on 15 Jul 2008 at 11:53 am 31.Dug said …
Wow!
on 15 Jul 2008 at 11:58 am 32.Manda said …
and she never has to worry about the double bag on her tampax to keep people from knowing it is that time of the month!
on 15 Jul 2008 at 12:01 pm 33.In Sewickley said …
Yucky.
on 15 Jul 2008 at 12:14 pm 34.lovesthenorthside said …
ok. this is stuck in my brain, replacing the storage area that is used to do important things, like maybe stop gagging? but anyhow, it occurs to me that this lady gets more use out of her pads than mark andre fleury. and it also gives me something to tell my kids when they say i’m embarrassing them: well, at least i’m not in the post gazette bragging about how long my lady products are lasting.
on 15 Jul 2008 at 12:15 pm 35.joey said …
Sorry, but this lady is on the fringe. Being eco-concious is one thing. Stepping back into the 1800’s is quite another.
on 15 Jul 2008 at 12:17 pm 36.bucdaddy said …
The irony of dozens of trees dying so this story could be told in 150,000 newsPAPERs is just too beautiful for words.
on 15 Jul 2008 at 12:21 pm 37.osuisnumber1 said …
Doesn’t she end up wasting more resources (water) because she has to wash these so often?
on 15 Jul 2008 at 12:48 pm 38.Sigh. said …
The non-recycled fabric comment was an assumption, sorry. They do mention “bolts of fabric” in the article, and I assumed that meant new fabric - I’ve never seen clothing or anything recycled into a bolt, per se. Or maybe they’re using the word loosely.
Also feeding into the assumption were the photos, in which those look like nice shiny new printed “personal wipes”. But they could be anything. It’s not specified.
on 15 Jul 2008 at 1:03 pm 39.Maria said …
Oh. Good. Lord.
Fast forward three weeks:
Wilkins woman dies of toxic shock syndrome. Yarn tampons to blame. Children embarrassed, city unsurprised.
on 15 Jul 2008 at 1:09 pm 40.John said …
Now that’s what I call an environmental whacko.
on 15 Jul 2008 at 1:09 pm 41.rickh said …
I hope the face towels are well marked.
on 15 Jul 2008 at 1:11 pm 42.izzy said …
bucdaddy………clap, clap, clap
osuisnumber1…….uh…YEAH!
I am making the photo of all of those crocheted tampons my screensaver. WTF is right!
on 15 Jul 2008 at 1:34 pm 43.justmylife said …
OMG and in different designs and colors! WTF is right. Now I must go and pee and use actual toilet paper! heh!!
on 15 Jul 2008 at 1:44 pm 44.Krissa said …
OK. I feel like I need to regroup before I can formulate a sentence.
I can kinda see the menstrual pad thing, but the tampons and TOILET PAPER? No. The whole “green” thing has officially been taken too far…
on 15 Jul 2008 at 1:54 pm 45.Colleen said …
but does she say what happens to the waterproof bag that transports used butt wipes to the diaper pail? and is the diaper pail unlined? or slowly getting a permanent stench like no diaper pail should ever have?
and this may be even nastier than the article, but I’m thinking those cute Technicolor Tampons aren’t so cute and pretty after being used for the first time. *shudder*
on 15 Jul 2008 at 2:03 pm 46.maxtalbot said …
Maria, now that’s church.
on 15 Jul 2008 at 2:15 pm 47.th3t3chb0y said …
All I want to know is if the pads have wings! (Maybe a copyright violation?)
on 15 Jul 2008 at 2:20 pm 48.pittgirl said …
thetechboy:
If you dare to go to the site mentioned in the PG story, you’ll see that the pads come in many cute patterns and that they do have wings with a snap enclosure.
on 15 Jul 2008 at 2:33 pm 49.Naynay said …
I bet those tampons come in inscense aromas.
on 15 Jul 2008 at 2:48 pm 50.TBD said …
Oh just WTF!!! She didn’t get the memo yet (via earth friendly reusable hippie bongo drum circle) that paper is recyclable and that trees are a renewable resource (whats happening in the rainforest notwithstanding).
Everyone should mail her a roll of TP or a pad or whatever just to make her head explode
Bucdaddy - great call!
on 15 Jul 2008 at 2:49 pm 51.Burgh Baby said …
Because I have had the question stuck in my ALL.FREAKIN.DAY. I am sharing. What happens when she’s not at home? I mean, no matter what, at some point in time she’s going to have to be at the farmer’s market, some sort of protest, or humiliating her kids in public and is going to need a, um, let’s go with . . . changing of the guards. If she washes the things, does that mean she carries them around until she gets home? Same question for the reusable toilet paper. Does she stuff a wad in her purse when she leaves? And then stuffs it back in until she gets home?
Inquiring minds REALLY don’t want to know.
on 15 Jul 2008 at 3:02 pm 52.Ex-Pat Pittsburgh Girl said …
If that is the case, I pray she doesn’t take the bus and one of you ends up sitting next to her.
As for the diaper pail, I imagine she could have one like many diaper services (do they even still exist) used to provide. I seem to recall that the lids to them have something akin to a urinal cake (pretty pink) in them. My mom said the best shower gift she ever received at a baby shower was the year of diaper service. She had four girls in five year so that came in handy. She said we did use disposables, but they were a relatively new thing, and were mainly for when we were taken places. As infants and toddlers, that wasn’t too many places until we were potty trained. When I was growing up, parents didn’t take their kids everywhere with them (at least in my family/neighborhood).
on 15 Jul 2008 at 3:04 pm 53.Maria said …
Burghbaby- that hadn’t even occured to me. But my coworker just asked me if I was feeling alright, because I’m pretty sure I look like I’m going to vomit. Should I explain this to him? …No, I think he shall be spared today.
on 15 Jul 2008 at 3:04 pm 54.Kbee said …
Sarah–
Awful presumptuous to think these people have to worry about guests!
on 15 Jul 2008 at 4:10 pm 55.guest said …
What do you people think happened for hundreds of years before the manufacure of disposable pads? Durrrr…
on 15 Jul 2008 at 4:19 pm 56.Gumbygirl said …
My Grandma (bless her soul) used to make me ponchos in a pattern eerily similar to those tampons. I wouldn’t wear them, my mom used to get really pissed. If I had only known I could have worn them internally…
on 15 Jul 2008 at 4:20 pm 57.L said …
“What do you people think happened for hundreds of years before the manufacure of disposable pads? Durrrr…”
Yeah, and people were smelly and stinky and there was bubonic plague and the life expectancy of human beings was significantly lower. Not a time I’d be champing at the bit to get back to.
on 15 Jul 2008 at 4:32 pm 58.parking chair said …
I wish I had read this article and the subsequent feedback sooner.
Three kids later, I finally realized that macrame condoms were not very effective.
on 15 Jul 2008 at 5:06 pm 59.How green is too green? « Writing by Ear said …
[...] I was thinking about how to comment on this Post-Gazette article I read online this morning and Pitt Girl beat me to it. If you don’t know, Pitt Girl is an anonymous Pittsburgher who writes a VERY popular blog [...]
on 15 Jul 2008 at 5:43 pm 60.bucdaddy said …
parking chair: Heh. Good one.
on 15 Jul 2008 at 5:52 pm 61.SorryForThis said …
Reminds me of the Yo Mama joke:
Yo Mama is like a hockey goalie.
She changes her pads once every three periods.
on 15 Jul 2008 at 6:10 pm 62.Burgh Wanna Be said …
I am all for saving the earth and going green, but as a fellow female, I say EWWWWW!
on 15 Jul 2008 at 8:13 pm 63.WB said …
I consider myself pretty green, which also has its benefits financially– I opt for cloth napkins in place of paper napkins or paper towels. I recycle/compost just about everything (yet throw away my used tampons), which saves in small ways. I even go so far as to recycle my old shoes when given the opportunity.
NEVER have I considered even “the sponge” when reducing my carbon footprint.
Some things are meant for the trash.
on 15 Jul 2008 at 8:45 pm 64.Fonda Bruises said …
Well, for one of the few times in my life, I. AM. SPEECHLESS!
I agree with the poster that said they look like cat toys, that’s the first thing that came to mind. Can you imagine chasing the cat around your house trying to get your tampon back. NO!!!!!! But hey, they put catnip in those, someone should suggest to the gal to put potpourri in the center to leave you smelling fresh! LOLOLOLOL
on 15 Jul 2008 at 9:07 pm 65.Karen said …
Mental note: ask new friends if they use toilet paper before I go visit.
on 15 Jul 2008 at 9:10 pm 66.bucdaddy said …
And I think I’m doing everyone a favor when I use the aluminum foil a second time.
I once was forced to listen to some female relatives natter on about their periods, and “sometimes, ha-ha, I don’t even remember, hee-hee, when it’s coming.”
I said, “If some guy came around to kick me in the nuts every month, I’d sure as hell remember which day.”
on 15 Jul 2008 at 9:51 pm 67.Still A. Fan said …
am i going to be the first person who points out that the ad for the offending items says “Check out the thread about reusable pads… ” and they didn’t mean what’s attached to the cat toy? or did they?
check out the thread…..hahahahahahaha
on 15 Jul 2008 at 11:10 pm 68.chrys said …
WHY????
And I honestly cannot get the vision of the “guest” wipes out of my head.. thank you Sarah for that visual..
on 16 Jul 2008 at 11:19 am 69.zarum said …
This woman can truly say she is “on the rag”.
on 16 Jul 2008 at 11:26 am 70.Cindy T. said …
That’s just nasty. No two ways about it.
on 16 Jul 2008 at 11:59 am 71.Lilacspecs said …
Ok, the idea of cloth pads is a bit meh, and the idea for crocheted tampons is really meh, but I use the divacup during my period and it’s fantastic, plus I’m not filling a landfill with giant blocks of uteral goo filled cotton fibers and toxic gel. I also plan on using cloth diapers when I have kids. We didn’t always have disposable products and the world is NOT a better place now because we do.
on 16 Jul 2008 at 9:30 pm 72.bucdaddy said …
Lilacspecs,
I predict you’ll change your mind on the cloth diapers in 3 … 2 … 1 …
on 16 Jul 2008 at 10:43 pm 73.Gumbygirl said …
What the hell is a divacup??? Never mind–I’d rather not know.
on 18 Jul 2008 at 8:11 am 74.Mel said …
My brother’s band name is Toxic Shock. No lie, check ‘em out when you’re in Cleveland. Kinda rough punk stuff.
This post was hilarious today, by the way.
on 21 Jul 2008 at 1:25 am 75.Hotmamamia said …
Divacups are used in many of the more green-conscious countries of the world…BUT are indeed available here in the Burgh at the East End Food Co-op…in two sizes too–pre and post birth!
on 07 Aug 2008 at 2:20 pm 76.b.o.b said …
You know I just can’t help but feel sorry for the kids. Especially if she has any daughters that are 13. Not only are they embarrassed beyond any hope but do you know how uncomfortable that must be to have an used tampon shoved up your vajayjay?! Ew. I understand protecting the environment and all but that’s just one step too far.
on 31 Aug 2008 at 6:06 pm 77.BACwife said …
Upon receiving a contact from an ABC radio program in Perth Australia for an interview I was informed that the local article published by the PG was re-released all across the country/world. Which in turn accidentally leads me to this blog of about 400 members from the burg and surrounding areas.
Interesting to read to say the least.
Since there were so many questions asked about me/my children I thought I would simply answer them myself.
Only first noting that the information pulled up about the cotton tampons does not reference the person referred to in the article. A link here was randomly pulled up someone who purchased the pattern.
Question and answer time:
**************************
“SK said …
It says she’s a mom. Can you imagine how her children are feeling at this very moment knowing their mother’s picture/name is in that article.
Poor poor children…”
..
Yes, mom of three. I asked my children about their feelings. My oldest a college student (who chooses mainstream paper products by the way)said she was not bothered by the article at all.
My young sons could care less. Nor have they received any negative feedback by their peers.
*****************************
“11.lovesthenorthside said …
that is one frigging house of gross.”
……
If you have any understanding of small business insurance you will surely understand that there is an inspection approximately every three years. Inspection on Friday yielded no Grossness.
*****************************
“14.Sigh. said …
This makes me want to kidnap that shiny sewing machine and make some cute skirts on it or something. Part of me says “whatever, to each his/her own” too, and part of me says “what a waste of skills.”
You can get TP that’s been recycled BEFORE you use it. Is that so hard? You know, rather than buying all those bolts of non-recycled fabric? Oh, well. You pick your battles, I guess. Like a vegetarian in a leather coat.”
……………….
My shiny sewing machines have seen their day with several beautiful velvet competition dressing as my oldest was an competitor on 2 International Figure skating teams in competitions.
I buy non-recycled fabrics as I have a business. Since 2004 I sew & donate my time, talent and materials for charities that have probably benefited you or someone you know. My children have also all helped with sewing for people burned out of their homes in San Diego. Or to sew reclaim fabrics for items for a local animal shelter for several years now. Scraps are given to local quilting groups who quilt for cancer.
As for the recycled or non recycled tp — I’ll skip all the chemicals against my behind and the huge amount of waste water used to manufacture the paper.
My eco-star Fisher & Paykel if far less offensive.
*********************************
“16.Christina said …
Is it really good for someone to be using the same pads over and over again for three years? Granted, she is washing them, but wouldn’t bacteria still find its way into the fabric? I don’t even like to use the same pad for an hour. If I’m contributing to the landfill while I’m on the rag, then so be it.
I mean, good for her, if she wants to do this and live a paper free life. I can only imagine, though, when her kids go to college and they’ve got their own personal diaper pail and are stinking up their dorm rooms for the sake of eco-friendly toilet paper. When they have to start lugging their personal cloth toilet wipes to the laundry room everyday, I have a feeling some ways of life are going to change.”
……………………
So far no bacteria problems and also no chemical burns from the commercial products.
My oldest is in college — paper is used — no problem, their choice.
*************************************
“50.TBD said …
Oh just WTF!!! She didn’t get the memo yet (via earth friendly reusable hippie bongo drum circle) that paper is recyclable and that trees are a renewable resource (whats happening in the rainforest notwithstanding).
Everyone should mail her a roll of TP or a pad or whatever just to make her head explode :)”
…………………….
Oh yeah Dude, the memo arrived via the non-rush hour route passing straight through my Valerie Stevens Silks and Wool Crepe pantyhose sporting suits, hanging a U-Turn out of the cubical with a splash of Franz Joseph Haydn on my Finlandia. But sorry I did not get to open it until after the PTO and Cubscout meeting.
Please feel free to send along the TP or pads. I would be happy to donate it to the project we are involved with in help the 300-400 being removed from the Mayview Facility. You can watch in the Tribune for this up and coming piece.
*******************************
“61.SorryForThis said …
Reminds me of the Yo Mama joke:
Yo Mama is like a hockey goalie.
She changes her pads once every three periods.”
Wrong Ice time, my Riedell’s have never seen a goalie net.
**************************
“72.bucdaddy said …
Lilacspecs,
I predict you’ll change your mind on the cloth diapers in 3 … 2 … 1 …”
…………………………..
my guess is that bucdaddy has never seen any of the $350.00 diapers out there, let alone any of the huge market that is available. Do you think Walmart, Target and Costco are on the heels of the orginal moms who have spent the last 10 years developing the market because there is NO market? The market is there and will be next door to you sooner than you think. Just because Pittsburgh is in the dark ages does not mean the rest of the country has not been riding this train for years.
***********************************
“76.b.o.b said …
You know I just can’t help but feel sorry for the kids. Especially if she has any daughters that are 13. Not only are they embarrassed beyond any hope but do you know how uncomfortable that must be to have an used tampon shoved up your vajayjay?! Ew. I understand protecting the environment and all but that’s just one step too far.”
…………
b.o.b — did you read what you wrote before hitting the send button?
My children are not embarrassed beyond hope. And no I don’t know how uncomfortable that must be to have a used tampon shoved up your vajayjay or mine for that fact. There is no claim to me being connected to tampons in the article.
***************************
on 31 Aug 2008 at 8:29 pm 78.becca-nh said …
Kudos to this entrepreneur for nailing a product line during a time when our country is swinging to the green, and doing it so successfully. I’m betting within a year you’ll see ‘unpaper towels’, cloth pads and other reuseable necessities in popular eco-minded catalogs and magazines. These products seem old-fashioned to some now but will become commonplace before we know it. I’m not seeing this as ‘gross’ at all, rather a requirement in the future. Let’s open our minds a bit and appreciate this person for being brave enough to speak of things usually ‘unmentionable’ in such a public profile. I think it’s fantastic!!!
on 01 Sep 2008 at 10:03 am 79.ClothMama said …
Has anyone ever heard of respecting others’ choices? I am disgusted by the comments some of you are making about a MOM. Stop and think about how hurtful your comments are to someone.
Our family uses cloth diapers, as well as other household cloth items. I don’t do this to save the environment(of course this is a concern, just not one of my top priorities), I do it to save money, and avoid processed chemicals. I am always a bit shocked when I see people in the store with a whole cart of trash. Disposable diapers, wipes, paper napkins, paper towels, disposable cups, utensils..etc. I cannot imagine using these items on a regular basis. Thats a whole lot of money being thrown away! I believe disposable products are there for occasional use.
Anyway, I think the nasty comments regarding this article are extremely immature. This woman is not forcing you to wipe your butt with cloth wipes. She is making products available to people who do choose them.
On an aside; Those worried about bacteria in washable pads.. Please do your research on the chemicals and who knows what in paper pads and tampons.
on 01 Sep 2008 at 8:53 pm 80.Momof3 said …
At this moment I am truly ashamed that I come from the same city as you people. I am a cloth user. We have been using “unpaper towels”, cloth diapers and cloth pads for over 5 years now. This isn’t something new, and it isn’t exclusive to hippie bongo drum types. Cloth products are becoming very mainstream and are used among all types and all income classes. You would never know who in your community uses cloth menstrual products.
Do you have any idea what is in the disposable products you use? Have you done any research about why some people use cloth products? Did you know that for some people, it isn’t about being green? It’s about being financially wise, healthy and more comfortable.
You’d be really surprised to know about the market for cloth items. There are boutique hand made custom cloth diapers going for $300 at auction. There are waiting lists for websites selling hand dyed, embroidered and custom made cloth menstrual pads.
The comments you people have made make you sound like complete morons. I’m disgusted by these comments. Do your research before you say anything in the future. You will save yourself lots of embarrassment. These products are safe, reliable, comfortable, economical, “green”, and actually becoming very trendy. In a few years they will be readily available at grocery stores and I bet you can find cloth pads and diapers at the East End Food Coop. I know you can find them at Whole Foods.
on 02 Sep 2008 at 8:26 am 81.The Burgh Blog » Random n’at. said …
[...] She specifically addresses some of you by name, so check it out, you morons. [...]
on 02 Sep 2008 at 9:21 am 82.unsatisfied said …
looks like “crocheted tampon woman” led some of her friends back here on a long-dead thread. fun reading!
my mind has been opened — I will now lead the cause on crocheted tamps!
and, homemade TP!
though, “clothmama” said:
“Cloth products are becoming very mainstream and are used among all types and all income classes.”
then, “momof3″ said:
“You’d be really surprised to know about the market for cloth items. There are boutique hand made custom cloth diapers going for $300 at auction.”
I’m sure that the lower income classes are thrilled by that. $300 for cloth diapers? at auction???
shit, indeed.
on 02 Sep 2008 at 10:31 am 83.Nel said …
How does she ever find the time for all of this since she’s saving the world and all?
I think I’d rather be a moron than a tree hugging freak. But hey, that’s just me.
on 02 Sep 2008 at 10:35 am 84.Nel said …
momof3,
Isn’t “unpaper towels” what is commonly known as a dishcloth?
on 02 Sep 2008 at 11:20 am 85.Mrs Pitsberger said …
I will sing the praises of my Mooncup/Divacup from the roof tops.
I will recycle everything I can possibly recycle.
I will use cloth products whenever possible to save money and avoid waste.
I will even re-use materials when home remodeling.
I will NEVER carry a shit or urine covered piece of cloth on my person. And that’s MY personal choice. Not to mention, I’m sure everyone that comes within three feet of me appreciates it as well.
on 02 Sep 2008 at 12:04 pm 86.spoon said …
unsatisfied, What you’re supposed to do in the meantime, while taking out a loan for the cloth diapers, is use all of those old Clarks tshirts and touring swag from Old97’s you collected. Oh and go to the garage and get some of those rags.
on 02 Sep 2008 at 12:31 pm 87.Sarah said …
While I wasn’t one of the morons mentioned by name, I’ve got a button pushed here. I am one of those people who have done the research on the “chemicals and who knows what” in paper products.
Yes, chemicals are required to turn trees into Charmin. They’re also required to turn cotton fluff into calico. Hemp velour doesn’t spring fully formed from the ground.
Chemicals are also largely responsible for the increase in life expectancy over the past 100yrs due to improved hygeine. There are many fewer dying of cholera, amoebic dysentery, etc. You can thank chemistry.
To each his/her own, but if you give me a choice between chemicals on my cheeks versus bacteria, I’ll take my chances with the chemicals.
And if you do some more research, you fellow morons may be shocked to learn that “green” isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be.
on 02 Sep 2008 at 12:56 pm 88.Summer said …
@ momof3:
Do you have any idea how … “moronic” … it sounds to tout the financial benefits of cloth products, then brag that cloth diapers are being sold for $300 a piece?
My children do not own a single piece of clothing that costs that much, nor would I have purchased them such expensive clothing because they’d grow out of it before they got enough use out of it to warrant the expense. And I sure as hell wouldn’t have spent $300 for an item they would shit in.
For the cost of that one diaper, I could have put them in disposable diapers for a year, while not washing them and using up water/electric. So, if people are purchasing multiple $300 diapers, then kudos to the people who are taking advantage of THOSE morons.
If you want to be “trendy,” cool, but, to me, you’re just a big hyprocrite. Yeah, you’re doing it because it’s financially smart. Whatev.
on 02 Sep 2008 at 3:53 pm 89.Grist reader said …
As far as cloth/resuable being cheaper and more eco-friendly than disposable (at least with diapers anyway), check out the Ask Umbra column at from June this year:
http://www.grist.org/advice/ask/2008/06/18/index.html
I am far more willing to take Umbra’s advice (and yes, I am aware that Umbra is not a real person, but who cares? ) about overall green-ness than just about anyone else. If she says cloth and dispoable are equivalent green, then it is OK for the yuck factor to weigh in. Down with knitted ANYTHING that is supposed to go in my body!
Perhaps we should ask Umbra how she feels about knitted tampons…
on 02 Sep 2008 at 5:05 pm 90.unsatisfied said …
spoon — I already used all of that stuff and sent it along to the garbage dump so that it can kill more of the ozone layer.
but, I have now seen the error of my ways. so, I guess I gotta save up for some of them $300 diapers.
I wonder if they sell them in XL. that way, I could wear one and not worry about trying to get to the men’s room the next time I’m at one of them clarks concerts n’at — AND, I’d be saving the environment!
on 03 Sep 2008 at 9:20 pm 91.BACwife said …
While I mentioned names and replied to them, I did not refer to anyone here as a moron. Nor do I use, make, or am attached to the re-usable tampons topic. But “MY” feelings on the topic are — good for her for being innovative to produce a product to fit a market need. Using ones skills and formal education to advance in life is not really something to make fun of. It is not as if she is sucking off the tax dollars sitting at home watching Dr. Phil all day. Nor is she forcing any of you to use her product.
I am curious if this group can read and follow the content of an article without making things up as they go along that is not factual or conclusive to other peoples feelings?
I am not a treehugger — nor am I a hippie. And PLEASE do not attach me to GREEN. I am not green, I don’t participate is this whole bandwagon movement for the almighty buck. We simply make environmentally responsible choices. Mostly always have. We don’t force them upon you the reader, the passer by er, nor anyone else. My customers FIND/SEEK OUT me. No one came into your home and forced you to read an article about how I wipe my arse. But I must thank you for taking such an interest. Just think, 76 people could not resist reading about how I process my poo. I do not however, thank you for including my children, one who has read this blog. Attaching yourself to their feelings for your fun is a bit off the fun charts of acceptability. I have no problem answering your questions and I assure you if I were a dude my set would need a bigger ball than even BOB’s former avatar. Trust me, the public ignorance has a way of making the skin thick and giving a curvature to the spine.
I am also making a guess that there is no one here posting away about the grossness of fecal, that has a partner, child, parent, grandparent with an ostomy??? Can we say O S T O M Y boys and girls?????
Pleaseeeeeeeee!!! go to an American Ostomy Society or even a Pittsburgh branch meeting and then YOU can bring your plate to the table of a REAL discussion about poo. And I doubt any of you could hold a candle to the subject. Tell me your an ostomy nurse and I will amend the comment for you.
A large part of why I do what I do is out of concern for water resources — a far bigger concern than trees and petroleum. But I suppose approaching being responsible with a water subject would be too far in advance of a group that can’t even realize I have nothing to to with fiber tampons in an article.
I will direct an answer to one particular poster.
“Sarah”
It may be wise for you to do a tad bit more research about the Chemicals you seem to feel comfortable with.
Do you understand the actual process of organic fibers vs. non organic as well as what is involved in textiles, and on what points a certification is issued? I work with fabric EVERYDAY, for years, and I am still learning. And on that note I am going to just stop and say — time to hit the books.
This said with true concern. The next time one of your darling little girls are in Children’s ER’s ——you take a GOOOOOOD look around at how many children are on breathing treatments. Then you feel free to email me about my observations over 10 years and how to find the links documented by our own University of Pittsburgh Medical Facility to the risks associated with respiratory distress in newborns in a controlled study using disposable and cloth diapers. I will also gladly point you to the sources of information about links to asthma and male infertility attached to disposable diapers, or the same documented chemicals that are in your pads that are dioxins.
Your information is in need of updating or is inaccurate. Should you like references I will be happy to point you or anyone else to said mentioned information that is in printed and in web form. But I prefer you do your own homework, then you don’t need to believe me. VOULA - answers based on documented fact.
I am not putting myself out here to provide a target for attack. I stumbled upon this teeny-tiny little blog by accident. I replied and corrected the statements concerning my children which were untruthful. I corrected the accusations about myself that are untruthful.
On a side note. I have documented information with a Surgeon at AGH, my former Surgeon at West Penn & Sewickley Valley as well as three other doctors that there has been remarkable success since switching to cloth top in reducing UTI’s. UTI’s are a side effect of a particular surgical procedure. Why you ask (not really) ??? — because it REDUCED the bacteria and its breeding ground for infection. Surprise!
Maybe I should be concerned about sitting next to some of you if I were to ride the bus?
lesson learned as I close my reply — no one forces you to read about my ass!
on 03 Sep 2008 at 11:07 pm 92.BACwife said …
“89.Grist reader said …
As far as cloth/resuable being cheaper and more eco-friendly than disposable (at least with diapers anyway), check out the Ask Umbra column at from June this year:
http://www.grist.org/advice/ask/2008/06/18/index.html
I am far more willing to take Umbra’s advice (and yes, I am aware that Umbra is not a real person, but who cares? ) about overall green-ness than just about anyone else. If she says cloth and dispoable are equivalent green, then it is OK for the yuck factor to weigh in. Down with knitted ANYTHING that is supposed to go in my body!
Perhaps we should ask Umbra how she feels about knitted tampons…”
Guessing you did not read the WHOLE more detailed part of the reply:
Common Sense
Thank you ‘happynappy’ for finding that link that shows the patent problems with the LCA report.
When I read this Ask Umbra post I couldn’t believe my eyes. It simply goes against common sense to say that cloth nappies are just as bad as disposable nappies. I mean, come on! At a stretch we could say that wearing disposable underwear has the same environmental impact as wearing cloth underwear.
I read the study - so incredulous I was - and early on started raising my eyebrows. By section 3.2.1 I was laughing out loud.
I know it’s cliche but indulge me. That study was the epitome of the quote, “there are lies, damn lies and statistics.”
Simple common sense says that if you reuse things, especially non-biodegradable expensive things, you’re doing yourself and the environment a favour. Of course you still have to be careful by washing at temps below 60 C and using environmental detergents and line dry. Using rice paper with cloth nappies (no it’s not that uncomfortable, try it and compare it with wearing a disposable nappy) also means you don’t have to wash nappies as often.
Cloth nappies aren’t perfect but they ARE better than disposables in terms of saving money and being friendly to the environment. Anybody or company who says otherwise has other agenda, period.
And hey, Umbra, I love this column but next time try use several sources of research rather than just one study ; )
by jackdelpia at 1:41 AM on 19 Jun 2008
on 04 Sep 2008 at 10:45 am 93.BURN! | The Burgh Blog said …
[...] Menstrual Mom, my goodness I just love that nickname, has posted two new missives to the Fabric Tampons post, in which she writes: I stumbled upon this teeny-tiny little blog by [...]
on 04 Sep 2008 at 11:49 am 94.Summer said …
Lady, for someone with such thick skin and little concern for what other people think, you have spent an awful lot of time reading this blog, reading people’s replies and not only typing looooong replies to them, but checking back to see others’ reactions to you.
You don’t care what we think? Really?
PS-When you put yourself out in a public forum such as a newspaper with thousands of subscribers, then you shouldn’t be surprised when people talk about you. Whether you sought the reporter out (which I suspect you did, in order to get some free advertising for your business) or they sought you out, you still agreed to do the article. Was the free advertising worth it?
on 04 Sep 2008 at 12:02 pm 95.Virginia said …
I have to point out something with this paragraph…
[i]This said with true concern. The next time one of your darling little girls are in Children’s ER’s ——you take a GOOOOOOD look around at how many children are on breathing treatments. Then you feel free to email me about my observations over 10 years and how to find the links documented by our own University of Pittsburgh Medical Facility to the risks associated with respiratory distress in newborns in a controlled study using disposable and cloth diapers. I will also gladly point you to the sources of information about links to asthma and male infertility attached to disposable diapers, or the same documented chemicals that are in your pads that are dioxins.[/i]
My mom had to use cloth diapers with my brother and me due to allergic reactions to disposables (this was in the 70s though). That being said. Both my brother and I have asthma and allergies and I don’t think they were lessened by the use of cloth diapers.
But. While I personally would not choose to use cloth pads, that is my choice. However, I did hear something on the John Tesh radio show that might be of interest too. One of the germiest things you can touch? A wet load of laundry. Its a breeding ground. One of the things mentioned? Underwear that has fecal matter in it. Would cloth toliet paper, pads, etc be included in that list?
Just some thoughts to chew on. I respect her choice to use the cloth products, but it doesn’t mean we all have to think the same way. That’s why our political system has more than 2 parties.
on 04 Sep 2008 at 12:26 pm 96.Autumn said …
“94.Summer said …
Lady, for someone with such thick skin and little concern for what other people think, you have spent an awful lot of time reading this blog, reading people’s replies and not only typing looooong replies to them, but checking back to see others’ reactions to you.”
Summer - that’s church.
on 04 Sep 2008 at 1:16 pm 97.coolmommy123 said …
BACwife said:
“an interest. Just think, 76 people could not resist reading about how I process my poo. I do not however, thank”
I’m just standing up to be counted, since you’re assuming that only people who post are reading this blog.
on 04 Sep 2008 at 3:43 pm 98.Nel said …
Pittgirl,
Just how many hits have you had on this tiny, tiny little blog?
Com’on tell little miss mens mom.
on 04 Sep 2008 at 4:18 pm 99.BACwife said …
It took me a few days for others to post a reply but you asked a question I posted to a larger international forum for your reply to this question found here:
http://writingbyear.com/2008/07/15/how-green-is-too-green/
here are the replies I received — there is a mix of responses found here: http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=959541
Summer to your post here:
*****************
94.Summer said …
Lady, for someone with such thick skin and little concern for what other people think, you have spent an awful lot of time reading this blog, reading people’s replies and not only typing looooong replies to them, but checking back to see others’ reactions to you.”
***********************
I have replied to correct the inaccuracies to this blog about my life, my person and to take the unnecessary focus off my children which by any adult standard is unacceptable.
I have also sat back and laughed along with some of the post with the group here too.
I however, would prefer that if people are going to judge, they do so on my words — not the fun of yours or anyone else’s which are not representative of me.
Again, I did not initiate this article nor the piece that preceded it. I was contacted and asked if I would participate. I never expected it to be picked up by many publications and radio media nor did I expect such a negative reply from my home town.
I do agree with Virginia that it is a choice to each their own. I don’t force you to use anything, read anything, understand anything. I will however make sure the information directed towards me is accurate.
Which of course takes time out of my laundry and saving the earth stuff. I really do have other things in life that I do. I did not reroute my life out of a cubical or traveling in and out on the parkway to make time for blogging here.
Menstrual Mom — ding ding ding, and we have a winner folks.
I can’t say I am not laughing with you on this one. It’s funny.
on 05 Sep 2008 at 7:30 am 100.Summer said …
Again, lady, why do you CARE what anyone else thinks? No one’s opinion affects anything about you and your family. I just can’t understand why you give two tin shits about what we think.
We speculated that your kids might be embarrassed that their mom made a major newpaper for sewing pantyliners. You said they aren’t. Okay.
Why do you KEEP COMING BACK? Why do you feel the need to continue defending yourself, which has gone far beyond your stated purpose?
Suck it up, get over and MOVE FORWARD.
on 05 Sep 2008 at 8:35 am 101.Sarah said …
100.Summer said …
Suck it up, get over and MOVE FORWARD.
—
Does this mean we can drink!? I’m going to Mad Mex for lunch and a Big Azz rita sounds pretty good…
on 05 Sep 2008 at 9:16 am 102.workingmama said …
I’m so confused now - is BACmom/Menstrual Mom the lady from the article?
And why is she talking about Ostomy bags in comparison to the grossness of her poo? Am I missing her point there?? It seemed like a random topic in the middle of her post…
The article was about her natural paper products including cloth personal wipes which the article leads us to believe is for wiping your bum after you do a number 2 and then she washes and re-uses them? In my opinion and in the opinion of others on this board - that’s just gross. I’m sorry if she doesn’t like my opinion, but that’s why it’s mine and according to the Constitution of the United States, I am free to speak my mind in whatever forum I want to thank you very much!!
On a side note - I’ve known people that have had ostomoy bags - when you think about them, they are gross, especially when they accidentally burst in public as what happened to a classmate of mine in the 8th grade - but those people that had them didn’t have them by choice, but by medical necessity. Unless I have misinterpreted the article, which I went back and re-read this morning after reading all the posts - this woman chooses to wipe her bum with a re-usable cloth wipe. And some of us think that’s gross. So to try to compare her grossness to the grossness of someone who had to have a medically necessary poo bag (as I affectionately call them) - it’s just doesn’t make sense.
Anyway….
on 05 Sep 2008 at 9:23 am 103.Carla said …
Kind of sad this much anger is directed towards something so silly. Everyone needs to chill and have a cocktail.
on 07 Sep 2008 at 8:37 am 104.CriticExtraoordinaire said …
Just found this thread as I am a newbie to The Burgh Blog.
After I wretched my breakfast over the thought of this thread’s subject matter, it occurred to me that Pittgirl is doing us all a public service with The Burgh Blog. Too bad Seinfeld is still not in production, he coulda done an episode based on this thread alone.
I see the glass as half full here. It is long overdue for Pittsburgh to shed its heavy industrial steel image. The lady from Wilkins could well be our next Henry Clay Frick or George Westinghouse.
Let’s EMBRACE her craft as our new regional identity. I say rename our local football team the Pittsburgh Tampons, replace that dreary black and gold with red and… um… white. The Pirates could have Butt Wipe Day, where reusable cloth TP, bearing the logo of the Philadelphia Phillies, (or Barry Bonds) would be handed out. Bring your own Ziploc® bag.
Cleveland subsequently copies our success, and launch an entire industry devoted to recycling used Saran Wrap® into green condooms. The Rust Belt is saved.
Mrs. MacCumbee will be having the last laugh when her enterprise takes the country by storm and 100 years from now people will wonder what all the stink was about.
on 07 Sep 2008 at 9:11 am 105.pittgirl said …
I often feel sorry for readers that are new to my blog, because I imagine it is a very confusing place to be at first.