Washable & Reusable Underpads

At times, no matter how effective a disposable brief or overnight adult diaper is, leakage occurs. Some causes are just unavoidable, like excessive tossing and turning in your sleep or having a food or beverage that results in a "bad reaction." Waterproof mattress pads are invaluable moisture-absorbing incontinence supplies that help to help protect bedding, chairs and other furniture. When placed directly on linens, over your mattress or on a sofa or even a car seat, a waterproof mattress pad or a disposable chux underpad or a reusable bed underpad offers an extra layer of protection against incontinence moisture.

What You Need to Know About Washable Underpads and Bedding Protection

There are actually two vital incontinence products that can be used to protect any bed. First is a waterproof mattress protector. The best choice is a design that completely envelopes the mattress in a zippered cover (as an added bonus, this is the one essential step to getting rid of bed bugs as well). This waterproof bed cover protects your most expensive bedding investment: the mattress. Look for hospital-grade vinyl material that can be simply wiped clean and which features an antibacterial and waterproof surface to keep the mattress free from stains and germs.

Keep in mind that, just as it sounds, a waterproof bed protector protects the mattress, but it doesn't absorb urine. For that, you want a waterproof bed pad that goes on top of the bottom fitted sheet. Washable underpads for incontinence function in several key ways: they protect sheets, limit the amount of laundry you have to do, and promote a better night's sleep uninterrupted by wetness. Another bedding option is a single or double-sided flannel waterproof sheet made from 100 percent cotton flannel on the outside for maximum comfort and a rubber core on the inside. These washable incontinence bed pads and waterproof bet sheet options make it easy to clean up after leakage occurs while also helping the sleeping individual stay dry.

What You Need to Know About Furniture Protection

While any waterproof pad can be placed on a chair or sofa, reusable chair pads are made to look more like furniture cushions and can be used on regular chairs, wheelchairs or even car seats. Look for styles made with an absorbent inner layer and vinyl backing to shield furniture from damage and cut down on costly professional cleaning. Some, like the SOFF-QUILT Reusable Chair Pad, absorb up to one cup of fluid and are machine washable and dryable, making them more economical.

Choosing a Waterproof Mattress Pad

When comparing waterproof mattress pads or bed pads for adults, consider these factors:

Capacity. The absorption capacity of the inner core — the waterproof mattress pad's fluid-retention capability — is often detailed in a product's description. The heavier the incontinence, the more fluid capacity you want in a disposable or reusable underpad.

Materials. An absorbent core should pull fluid away from skin to prevent irritation and promote odor control. Super-absorbent materials in washable underpads are designed to attract moisture and distribute it evenly over the entire pad to avoid saturation in just one spot.

The back may be embossed and waterproof for added leakage protection; backing materials for leakage protection often include vinyl, rubber and/or polyurethane. The "skin side" of a bed underpad should be smooth enough to minimize friction and allow the sleeper to move freely without experiencing any skin injury that could develop into a pressure ulcer.

Secure fit. Look for waterproof bed pads held in place either by adhesive strips at each corner of the pad (that can be attached to a chair seat, for instance) or by plastic flaps or elastics that go around each mattress corner. To save money, you can simply apply masking tape around the edges.

Size. Adult bed pads are available in several sizes, often determined by the size of the bed needing protection. Larger sizes will cover a bigger sleeping or sitting area for ultimate wetness protection.

Disposable or reusable. You also have a choice between economical reusable pads that can be washed numerous times and disposable pads that are thrown away every morning. If you choose reusable pads, look for finished or bound edges that will hold up better through machine washings.

Find the best selection of reusable underpads by shopping at Parentgiving. You'll find high-quality, reliable products from some of the top names in incontinence care, including Essential Medical, Medline Industries, Carefor and Nova.