Can you imagine missing out on five days of work during periods? This may come as news to many, but according to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, millions of girls in the country are doing just that. And that is what Saafkins, reusable sanitary napkins manufactured by Livinguard Technologies is here to change!
Let me first bring you up to speed about Saafkins’ background. It was launched as a part of Law & Kenneth Saatchi & Saatchi’s #GiveHer5 campaign which focuses attention on millions of underprivileged girls in India who miss out on school due to menses-related problems.
“The cloth napkins that these young women use can be only worn for a couple of hours, and in most cases, they are made of abrasive material. Sometimes they are also given old rags to be used as pads,” says Shivani Swamy, Senior Sales and Marketing Manager at Livinguard Technologies. Since it embarrassing for them to hang the cloth pads out in the open, they are often left in dingy places to dry, causing bacteria and other disease-causing pathogens to breed in them.
Cleaning these pads can also prove to be a challenge because they use coconut husks and ash, which often doesn’t do a thorough job according to Shivani. “These girls living in squalid conditions don’t have access to toilet facilities even in school, which leaves them with no choice but to miss out on school during these four-five days,” she adds.
Why Saafkins?
The reusable napkin is touted to be an economical solution for the underprivileged girls in our country who have to miss out on school due to the lack of proper menstrual care. Livinguard has created the pad keeping the health and convenience of these girls in mind. What’s more? It is reusable and can last up to a year. “It is affordably priced at Rs 150, and per month it comes around to only Rs 12.50,” says Shivani. Here are some of the other salient features of the pad.
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![saafkins]()
• The packet comprises two sanitary napkins made of a superabsorbent material that can hold up to 100 ml of liquid at one go.
• A leak-proof lining prevents staining.
• The adjustable band around the waist holds the pad in place.
• Livinguard Technology makes the pads antimicrobial which reduces chances of infections.
• The pad is made of a quick-drying material which does away with the need to dry it out in the open.
• A single pad is said to last for 8-12 hours; this means no skipping school!
The review
I never thought I would be saying this, but this month, I really looked forward to my periods, and the reason was Saafkins. Planet Earth could do without a few metric tonnes of sanitary napkins each year, which was the number one reason why I wanted to switch to an eco-friendly option, but I could never come round to wearing a menstrual cup.
I wanted to try out for myself whether the napkin delivered on all of its promises. But I assure you that this is an objective review, and I ensure that my support of the Saafkins’ cause didn’t cloud my judgement when it comes to reviewing its qualities.
The pros
• It is very convenient, and you barely feel that you are wearing something different down there. At first, I thought it might be a little bulky, but I stand corrected.
• It is VERY easy to clean. All you have to do is keep it under a running tap. Press it down with your feet and squeeze the liquid out. Follow up with a little bit of soap, and it is squeaky clean!
• No funny smell. If you have done a thorough job cleaning, the pad doesn’t reek one bit.
• Excellent for overnight use. Girls, we have spent a good part of our lives looking for a pad that doesn’t stain while we sleep. Saafkins might be our saviour.
• The pad doesn’t shift thanks to the elastic on the waist.
• The elastic is firm enough to hold the pad in its place but doesn’t dig into the skin.
• Economical! Rs 150 per year is how much you would spend on a fancy cup of coffee.
• I can sleep with a cleaner conscience knowing I am not adding to the 140 tonnes of waste generated by sanitary pads alone.
The cons
• Not suitable for heavy bleeders. I am a heavy bleeder, so I ended up staining my pants within 6 hours on the first day.
• The initial brown coagulated blood can be a pain to wash off.
• You may have to soak it in soapy water to get all the brown gunk out.
• It doesn’t dry very fast if you hang it indoors. Wring it hard before you hang it for drying.
Should you switch to Saafkins?
When you weigh its many benefits against a few cons, I think Saafkins is a good choice for the environmentally conscious girl of today. Those worried about staining could wear Saafkins on the second, third and fourth day of periods and stick to sanitary pads on the first day; you are still making a difference to the environment. Plus, by buying Saafkins you are supporting a brand that is bringing low-cost menstrual care to those who can't afford it. It's a win-win in my book!
My final verdict?
Good but could do better!
• The packet comprises two sanitary napkins made of a superabsorbent material that can hold up to 100 ml of liquid at one go.
• A leak-proof lining prevents staining.
• The adjustable band around the waist holds the pad in place.
• Livinguard Technology makes the pads antimicrobial which reduces chances of infections.
• The pad is made of a quick-drying material which does away with the need to dry it out in the open.
• A single pad is said to last for 8-12 hours; this means no skipping school!
The review
I never thought I would be saying this, but this month, I really looked forward to my periods, and the reason was Saafkins. Planet Earth could do without a few metric tonnes of sanitary napkins each year, which was the number one reason why I wanted to switch to an eco-friendly option, but I could never come round to wearing a menstrual cup.
I wanted to try out for myself whether the napkin delivered on all of its promises. But I assure you that this is an objective review, and I ensure that my support of the Saafkins’ cause didn’t cloud my judgement when it comes to reviewing its qualities.
The pros
• It is very convenient, and you barely feel that you are wearing something different down there. At first, I thought it might be a little bulky, but I stand corrected.
• It is VERY easy to clean. All you have to do is keep it under a running tap. Press it down with your feet and squeeze the liquid out. Follow up with a little bit of soap, and it is squeaky clean!
• No funny smell. If you have done a thorough job cleaning, the pad doesn’t reek one bit.
• Excellent for overnight use. Girls, we have spent a good part of our lives looking for a pad that doesn’t stain while we sleep. Saafkins might be our saviour.
• The pad doesn’t shift thanks to the elastic on the waist.
• The elastic is firm enough to hold the pad in its place but doesn’t dig into the skin.
• Economical! Rs 150 per year is how much you would spend on a fancy cup of coffee.
• I can sleep with a cleaner conscience knowing I am not adding to the 140 tonnes of waste generated by sanitary pads alone.
The cons
• Not suitable for heavy bleeders. I am a heavy bleeder, so I ended up staining my pants within 6 hours on the first day.
• The initial brown coagulated blood can be a pain to wash off.
• You may have to soak it in soapy water to get all the brown gunk out.
• It doesn’t dry very fast if you hang it indoors. Wring it hard before you hang it for drying.
Should you switch to Saafkins?
When you weigh its many benefits against a few cons, I think Saafkins is a good choice for the environmentally conscious girl of today. Those worried about staining could wear Saafkins on the second, third and fourth day of periods and stick to sanitary pads on the first day; you are still making a difference to the environment. Plus, by buying Saafkins you are supporting a brand that is bringing low-cost menstrual care to those who can't afford it. It's a win-win in my book!
My final verdict?
Good but could do better!