There are more than 50 different chemicals in disposable pads. ApiAfrique’s reusable pads are made of bio cotton (GOTS certified) and PUL (Oeko-tex certified) which is a guarantee of softness and wellbeing for you and your skin. It will prevent irritations or infections.

On average, you can use each of our pads 400 times, so from 2 to 5 years depending on the number of pads you have (the more you have the longer you can keep them). This makes you independent, no need to run to the shop to buy pads every month!

On average, during her life, a woman uses 8 000 disposable pads, which creates 1 ton of waste. With a pack of reusable pads, you won’t create any more waste.

Finally, by choosing ApiAfrique’s products, you favour women empowerment and give Senegalese women a sustainable job near their home.

ApiAfrique’s reusable pad is a periodic protection for menstrual hygiene made of bio cotton velvet (GOTS certified), waterproof fabric (PUL, GOTS certified) and African wax prints fabrics for a “funky touch”. It stays in place thanks to snaps. As it’s thin, it can’t be noticed under your clothes but is still absorbent enough.

ApiAfrique’s reusable pads range comprises four products, adapted to all menstrual flow and types of underwear:

• Mini panty liner
• Panty liner
• Day pad
• Night pad :

You may find our products sold individually or in packs allowing you to equip yourself progressively according to your needs.

All of our products are made in our workshop in Ngaparou in Senegal.

Thanks to ApiAfrique’s distribution partners, diapers are available in France, Senegal and other countries.

For information on prices and availability, you may directly contact the distributor of your area whose contact details are made available online https://apiafrique.com/en/shop/

Before using:

• Soak the pad in water for a few hours
• Wash it once
• Dry in the sun

This will make it more absorbent and ready to use.

You can wash them by hand or with the washing machine.

Washing by hand:

• Rinse your pad with cold water to remove the blood.
• Wash it with a natural soap
• Dry it in the sun : sun removes stains and disinfects textiles.

Machine wash:

• Rinse the pad with cold water to remove the blood (if the blood dried, soak it in water for a few hours before washing it).
• Put a bit of natural stain removing soap on your pad and put it in your washing machine. Set a 40° program (60° from time to time)
• Do not use BLEACH OR SOFTENER, you can use a bit of white vinegar
• Dry in the sun: sun removes stains and disinfects textiles (from time to time you can dry it in the dryer).
• If you want, you can iron the velvet side.
• Store your clean pads in a clean and dry place

If you waited too long before washing your pads or they smell bad or if you have irritation, wash all your pads in the washing machine, long run 60° with white vinegar or bicarbonate.

If you live in a country where there is a risk of insects laying eggs on your clothes, you can iron the pads after drying them in the sun.

ApiAfrique’s pads are available in several sizes and are convenient for all types of flows:

• Mini panty liner (vaginal discharge, small urinary leaks, beginning and end of menstruation, in addition to the menstrual cup, adapted for thongs)
• Panty liner (vaginal discharge, small urinary leaks, beginning and end of menstruation, in addition to the menstrual cup)
• Day pads (for medium flows)
• Night pads (for abundant flows or for the night)

Our pads are made of bio cotton velvet and waterproof textile (PUL), the wings are sewed with African wax print fabrics. They close with snaps.

What underwear to wear:

Preferably use cotton underwear, fit enough so the pad doesn’t move

To install your pad:

Put it in your underwear (velvet side touching your skin) et snap the wings under the underwear.

Change your pad every 4hours for your wellbeing and for more safety.

To change your pad:

• Unsnap the snaps
• Fold the ends of the pad towards the middle (the waterproof side on the outside), then fold the wings on it to form a small package and snap them.
• Put the folded pad in a waterproof bag until you can wash it

We also offer a first period kit which is composed of a small handbag with an informative leaflet on menstruation, 4 pads and a user manual. The handbag has a strap, so your hands are free in the toilets, and two compartments, one for clean pads and one for used pads.

To know more watch our tutorial (in French or Wolof):

https://youtu.be/9c2Z0tXq0Uk (French)

https://youtu.be/jD_Rn4BLCv8 (Wolof)

The number of pads you need depends on your flow and your washing routine.

For a light flow:

• 5 day pads
• 2 panty liner

For a medium flow:

• 6 day pads
• 2 night pads
• 2 panty liner

For an abundant flow:

• 4 day pads
• 6 night pads (that you can use during le day

You can also use our products in addition to another periodic protection. You can combine a menstrual cup with a panty liner that will absorb eventual leaks. In that case, you need 4 or 5 panty liner depending on your menstruation period.

At home: store them folded in a bad or a bucket until you wash them.

Outside: you can store them folded in a waterproof handbag until you can wash them.

Blood doesn’t smell.

A bad smell is most likely to happen with a disposable pad than with a reusable pad because it’s the mix of blood, air and chemicals that generates a bad smell. If ApiAfrique’s pad is washed on a regular basis, it won’t smell bad. No chemicals, no perfume…no smell.

From birth to 30 months, a baby approximately uses 5 000 disposable diapers. This represents 1 ton of waste. Using reusable diapers instead is a great commitment to waste reduction.

Unlike disposable diapers, ApiAfrique’s products keep the harmful chemicals off of your baby’s skin. Its organic fabric ensures wellbeing and softness.

Finally, by choosing our products, you promote women empowerment in Senegal. ApiAfrique offers stable, sustainable and fulfilling jobs to its seamstresses.

ApiAfrique’s cloth diaper is composed of :

• A waterproof cover – made of PUL fabric (Oeko-tex certified) – closing on the waist with snaps
• An insert snapped onto the diaper, which is an organic cotton absorbent. The insert is made of velvet (Global Organic Textile Standard certified) for softness on your baby’s skin and a layer of fleece (GOTS certified) known for its absorbing properties.
• A mini insert made of bio cotton (GOTS certified) to use in the cover size 1 or as a booster above or inside the insert for the cover size 2 and 3 to absorb more pee.

All our products are manufactured in our workshop in in Senegal.

Since every baby is unique, ApiAfrique’s cover is available in 3 sizes.  Your choice depends on the weight of your baby.

Size 1: from 2,5 to 5kg (5,5 to 11 lbs)

Size 2: from 4 to 8 kg (9 to 17 lbs)

Size 3: from 7 to 18kg (16 to 39 lbs)

The snaps on the cover enable you to adjust the length and width of the diaper.

Thanks to ApiAfrique’s distribution partners, diapers are available in France, Senegal and other countries.

For information on prices and availability, you may directly contact the distributor of your area whose contact details are made available online https://apiafrique.com/en/shop/

Before using the diaper for the first time, we recommend the following instructions to make it more absorbent overtime:

• Let the insert and cover soak in cold water without detergent for a few hours
• Wash the insert and cover once (machine wash or hand wash)
• Dry insert and cover in the dryer or hang dry in the sun

Washing by hand:

• To remove the excrement, turn the diaper over the toilets or use a shower head. If you’re using protection veils, take them off with the excrement and throw them away.
• Rinse the cover and the insert in clear water
• Wash with a small quantity of soap or washing powder. If needed, use a stain remover soap for textile.
• DO NOT USE BLEACH OR SOFTENER.
• If possible, dry naturally in the sun until the diaper is completely dry (the sun is a natural stain remover)

Ironing:

• In some countries it might be necessary for sanitary reasons to iron the cotton insert before use. NEVER IRON THE WATERPROOF COVER.

Machine wash:

• To remove the excrement, turn the diaper over the toilets or use a shower head. If you’re using protection veils, take them off with the excrement and throw them away.
• Pre rinse all your diapers in the machine
• Add the rest of your laundry and set your machine for a long 40° or 60° program.
• Use a simple washing powder or liquid that doesn’t foam or smell too much nor that is to “greasy” (ideally less than 5% glycerine).
• DO NOT USE SOFTENER (you would clog your diaper) NOR BLEACH
• Dry naturally in the sun until the diaper is completely dry (the sun is a natural stain remover)

Ironing:

• In some countries it might be necessary for sanitary reasons to iron the cotton insert before use. NEVER IRON THE WATERPROOF COVER.

You can use a dryer to dry your diapers, soft program for covers and normal program for cotton insert. If your insert has become a bit stiff, using the dryer might be a good way to soften them.

A clogged insert doesn’t absorb anymore because soap residue or washing powder/liquid are stuck on it.

Noticing a clogged diaper:

1) it doesn’t absorb anymore

Take the drop test:

Take a clean insert and pour a few drops of water on distinct spots.

If the water is not absorbed by the insert, it means the diaper is clogged.

2) the diaper smells bad even if it’s clean

To scrub a diaper:

You first want to scrub your washing machine: pour half a bottle of white vinegar in your machine and start a 90° program with nothing in the machine (do it every 6 month).

Scrub the diaper: Once to three times à year, wash your clean inserts at 60° WITHOUT SOAP OR WASHING POWDER/LIQUID and dry it in the sun.

If this is not enough, repeat and add a glass of white vinegar or 2/3 spoon of bicarbonate.

BEWARE: do not use soda crystal with the waterproof cover.

To avoid clogging:

• Do not use greasy cream on your baby’s bottom. If you use some, make sure it’s totally absorbed by the skin.
• Do not use softener in your machine
• Do not use soap or washing powder/liquid with glycerine

ApiAfrique’s Cloth diapers are reusable diapers made with natural or certified textiles. They are perfect for daytime use under any climate.

They are available in 3 sizes that follow the evolution of your baby thanks to the snaps that enable you to adjust the length and width of the diaper.

Size 1: from 2,5 to 5kg (5,5 to 11 lbs)

Size 2: from 4 to 8 kg (9 to 17 lbs)

Size 3: from 7 to 18kg (16 to 39 lbs)

Size 1 diaper (2,5 to 5kg):

• Use 1, 2 or 3 mini inserts. Overlay them inside the cover
• If you want, you can add a protection veil on top.
• Close the diaper on the front using the 2 snaps on each wings. Check that the diaper is well adjust on your baby’s waist and thighs (the diaper mustn’t move and the insert mustn’t leave the cover).
• If necessary, adjust the length of the diaper with the snaps.

Keep your mini inserts, they will serve you as boosters for the covers size 2 and 3.

Size 2 (4 to 8kg) and 3 (7 to 18kg) diapers:

• Fold the insert following its length or width depending on the size/adjustment of the diaper.
• If you fold it following the length, you can snap the insert to the bottom of the cover to stabilize it.
• You can add one or two boosters, on top or inside the insert to extend the absorption. Place it at the front for boys and in the middle for girls.

Did you know: Beyond a certain age, babies’ pee are bigger. From 8/10 kg (9 months) add one or two boosters in the diapers to avoid leaks.

• Close the diaper on the front using the 2 snaps on each wings. Check that the diaper is well adjust on your baby’s waist and thighs (the diaper mustn’t move and the insert mustn’t leave the cover).

If your baby’s diet is undiversified, you can still use ApiAfrique’s diapers. Nonetheless, the diapers need to be changed more often to avoid any leaks.

A small baby drinks a lot and unlike what we think, he/she pees a lot.

Do not hesitate to assemble the pieces of the diaper in advance to make it quicker when it’s time to change your baby (or for your nanny or the nursery).

For a nursery day, prepare at least 5 diapers and a bag.

If you want to know more you can watch our tutorial https://youtu.be/k5HZ9KoCawY (wolof)

ApiAfrique’s diaper is ideal for daytime if you change your baby every 3 to 4 hours. In some occasion, it can be used for night time if you use 2 inserts.

For babys who pees a lot, you can use a classic cloth diaper or a disposable diaper (until we make our night diapers).

For a fulltime use:

• 8 to 12 cover (4 Size 2 and 4 size 3)
• 12 to 20 inserts
• 4 to 8 booster

You can continue using disposable diapers meanwhile using cloth diapers if you want or need it. In that case,

For a part time use:

• 3 covers
• 10 inserts
• 4 boosters

When you’re not at home, store them in a closed waterproof bag.

At home, you can store them in a bucket or a closed bag or directly in the washing machine.

If you want, you can add few drops of essential oil of tea tree or lavender on a clean wipe, in your storage.

DO NOT LEAVE YOUR DIRTY DIAPERS UNWASHED FOR MORE THAN TWO DAYS OR IN WATER FOR TOO LONG.

To avoid leaks, soak and clean the inserts before use. To know more about washing the cloth diaper, look at our washing section.

Knowing where the leaking comes from:

1) What is the sex of your child?

With boys, leaks are more common, especially on the front of the diaper. To avoid leaks, place the sex of your baby down and don’t hesitate to add a booster fold in two at the front of the diaper.

2) Does the leak happen less than one hour after changing your baby?

The diaper might be wrongly positioned:

• Check if the insert is well placed
• Check that the insert doesn’t leave the cover
• Check the adjustment of the cover: neither too loose nor too tight. TIP: go around the diaper with your finger to see if it’s not too tight for your baby
• Check that the clothes don’t squeeze the diaper. Check also if the body isn’t stuck between the thigh and the diaper which would create a leak.

Your insert might be clogged:

Try the drop test (washing section)

3) Does the leak happen more than one hour after changing your baby?

When you open the diaper, was the insert soaked?

If it does:

You need to strengthen the absorption capacity by using a booster or by changing your baby more often.

If not:

The clothes of your baby might squeeze the diaper or get stuck between the thigh and the diaper, thus creating a leak. To avoid this, close only the middle snap of the body or don’t use any body.

Did you know? To strengthen the waterproofness of the elastics of the diaper (on the thigh), rub them with a vegetal fat (like shea butter or lanolin).

To strengthen the fibres of the diapers, you can use the dryer from time to time. Do not excessively use it to avoid wearing up your diapers. Reminder: use the soft program for the covers and normal program for the cotton inserts.