Period products are a dime a dozen, so why should you or your loved ones choose Maxim Hygiene? A lot of it comes down to awareness — did you know that generic pads are made of up to 90% plastic! It is estimated that one pack of menstrual pads is equivalent to 4 plastic shopping bags. Tampons have plastic in them too (about 6% of their composition), even in the string!
What you use and how you dispose of your products has a toll not only on your body, but the environment too. For example, the flushing of pads and tampons contributes to the amount of microplastic pollution in our oceans. Explaining to someone why they should use organic cotton in their period products can be boring, so why not show them? Here are three fun tests you can do at home, with your friends or family, to see the difference between our organic cotton products versus brands that use synthetics and fillers.
1. The Drag Test
One great way to visually see the residue that tampons can leave behind in the body is to conduct a ‘drag test.’ Simply open and unfold/fluff open your tampon and then drag it against a black piece of fabric with some force to see how friction causes tampons made of synthetics fray and leave behind fibers. Maxim’s organic cotton tampons are not only residue-free, the security veil design ensures the body faces less possible irritation.
2. The Deconstruction Test
One way to prove our products are more environmentally friendly and healthier than others on the market is to test the absorbent core — pick apart the inside of our pads as well as a competitor’s and see what the inside looks and feels like! The core of our pads are made only with organic cotton as opposed to bleached synthetics, cotton, and wood pulp. An absorbent core that’s made of hypoallergenic cotton is a better option as it allows the body and skin to breathe.
3. The Burn Factor
Go outside for this one! Take the deconstructed pads from our test above and try burning the top sheet’s materials — you’ll notice that the cotton fibers simply disappear without leaving any residue behind. Those made out of synthetics and other materials however, leave dark and hard remnants, proving that our products are by far more eco-friendly.
It’s critical to be aware of the choices you make that affect your health and our planet. Maxim Hygiene exists in a novel space, where we prioritize both women’s health and the environment simultaneously so your decisions can be sustainable and you can be sure your body remains as pure as possible. A recent study found that non-organic rayon-based tampons contained some pretty nasty chemicals – paint stripper to name just one, and toxins. Then there are the chemical absorbents, fillers and lubricants, plus chemical and pesticide residues from the bleaching of cotton and the manufacturing process.
The FDA hasn’t required the disclosure of ingredient lists in period products since they’re considered medical devices, so take it upon yourself to discover what’s in your products so you can decide what’s best for you and what aligns with your goals.