Incontinence can affect people of all ages, from small children to elderly adults. Incontinence underpads — also known as bed pads or simply as underpads — can be a helpful tool for those living with incontinence or caring for an incontinent person. But underpads can do more than protect your bed from nighttime accidents.
What Are Incontinence Underpads?
Incontinence underpads are absorbent pads designed to protect surfaces, especially mattresses, from becoming wet or soiled due to incontinence. There are two basic types of underpads: single-use and disposable or washable, reusable pads.
Disposable pads consist of a soft upper layer suitable for direct contact with the skin, an absorbent middle layer to soak up liquid, and a waterproof bottom layer intended to protect the surface underneath it from getting wet.
Reusable pads are made of cloth with a waterproof backing. They are less absorbent than disposable pads but are washable and durable. They are also available in much larger sizes than disposable pads.
How to Use Incontinence Underpads
Using incontinence underpads is extremely easy: place the pad on top of the surface you want to keep dry. Pads can be used either on top of or beneath the fitted sheet on beds, wheelchair seats, car seats, or any other place where the incontinent person may need to sit or lie.
When the pad does become wet, roll it up and either dispose of it in the trash can (disposable pads) or launder in warm water (reusable pads).
Surprising Uses of Underpads
Although their primary purpose is to soak up urine in cases of incontinence, they can be very convenient in a variety of situations.
Medical uses:
- Underpads can be helpful during ostomy changes, especially if you’re new to ostomy care.
- Use them to reduce mess during wound care.
- Protect bedding from mess and stains when you’re ill with the flu or similar illnesses.
Baby and child care use:
- Use them during potty training or if you have a child who wets the bed.
- Disposable underpads are great on-the-go changing pads.
- Reusable bed pads can double as burp cloths.
- Protect your lap from leaky diapers.
- Use between your crib mattress and sheet to keep the baby dry at night.
- Place a disposable pad under your high chair to make cleanup easier.
- Underpads are an excellent alternative to damp towels for protecting your car seats on trips home from the pool.
Pet care uses:
- Use as training pads when housebreaking a puppy.
- Put an underpad in the bottom of your kennel/pet crate to make cleanup easier.
DIY and crafts use:
- Use as a drop cloth to protect small areas when painting.
- Protect surfaces from paint or liquid spills when doing crafts.
Other uses around the home:
- Use as instant spill cleanup for jobs too big for paper towels.
- Try an underpad between the interior of the garbage can and the trash bag to soak up any leaks.
Incontinence underpads are helpful to have on hand for a variety of reasons. To find the best underpad option for your needs, visit Simply Medical today.