Reusable cotton rounds: materials, washing and break-even cost

Materials

• Cotton: soft and widely available. Organic cotton is sold as well, and we do not say that any product has a third-party standard.
• Bamboo-based fabric: often described as soft and absorbent. Check what the label states about the fiber and how it is processed.
• Microfiber: made from synthetic fiber. Washing microfiber can shed tiny fibers, a topic that is debated, so check care advice.
• Layers and edges: stitched edges stay together longer than cut ones. Check the construction.

Using and washing them

• Use with your usual toner or remover. Rinse after use if the product's instructions allow.
• Wash in a mesh laundry bag so rounds do not get lost in the machine.
• Use a fragrance-free detergent if you are sensitive to scents.
• Dry fully before storing. Damp cloth left in a closed container stays damp.
• If a round is stained, worn out or smells after washing, replace it.
• If your skin is painful, very red or getting worse, stop using any product and ask a dermatologist or doctor.

Our angle: break-even, plus the cost you forget

To find out whether reusable rounds are cheaper, divide the price of a pack of disposable pads by the number of pads to get the price per pad. Estimate how many pads you use in a week, and multiply for a monthly cost. Divide the price of a set of reusable rounds by that monthly cost to get the number of months to break even. Then add the parts people forget: the water, the detergent and the laundry bag, which are small but real. If you do not like washing them, or if you will use them less than you expect, the break-even point moves further away.

1. Divide the disposable pack price by the pad count.
2. Multiply by the pads you use per month.
3. Divide the reusable set price by that monthly cost for the break-even in months.

Buying tips

• Buy a set with enough rounds for a week, so that you are never without a clean one.
• Check the care label for the water temperature.
• Compare sets by the price per round.