We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
WiseGeek

Advertiser Disclosure

Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

How We Make Money

We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently from our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

What Are Incontinence Bed Pads?

Dan Cavallari
By
Updated May 17, 2024
Our promise to you
WiseGeek is dedicated to creating trustworthy, high-quality content that always prioritizes transparency, integrity, and inclusivity above all else. Our ensure that our content creation and review process includes rigorous fact-checking, evidence-based, and continual updates to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Editorial Standards

At WiseGeek, we are committed to creating content that you can trust. Our editorial process is designed to ensure that every piece of content we publish is accurate, reliable, and informative.

Our team of experienced writers and editors follows a strict set of guidelines to ensure the highest quality content. We conduct thorough research, fact-check all information, and rely on credible sources to back up our claims. Our content is reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and clarity.

We believe in transparency and maintain editorial independence from our advertisers. Our team does not receive direct compensation from advertisers, allowing us to create unbiased content that prioritizes your interests.

Incontinence bed pads are absorbent pieces of fabric that can be placed on a bed either over the normal bed sheets or underneath them to collect moisture before it strikes the mattress. Incontinence is a loss of control of the bladder, and a person suffering from this condition may involuntarily urinate while sleeping. The incontinence bed pads will collect this moisture before it hits the mattress, thereby sparing the mattress what may be permanent damage. These pads are commonly used in convalescent homes as well as in the home of anyone suffering from incontinence.

There are two general types of incontinence bed pads: washable pads and disposable pads. Washable pads are designed to be washed by hand or in a washing machine so they can be reused, while disposable units are simply thrown away after they have been used. The washable pads are designed with several layers of material: the bottom layer is waterproof to prevent moisture from coming in contact with the mattress, and the upper layers are absorbent to collect the fluids and keep them from spreading. Disposable pads are also often designed in layers, though the materials may not be as durable and will not be safe to put in the washing machine.

The bottom layers of incontinence bed pads are made of a non-slip material to ensure the pads stay in place while a person is sleeping on them. This layer can be a type of plastic, or another synthetic material that is non-slip and, in the case of washable pads, machine washable. The upper layers are made from absorbent, interwoven fibers designed to trap moisture and prevent it from spreading. The incontinence bed pads may be used as the primary means of preventing the spread of fluids to the mattress, or as a secondary means. Adult diapers are available as a primary means, though these can be bulky and uncomfortable to sleep in.

The size of the incontinence bed pads will vary according to the size of bed on which the pad is intended to fit. The pads are often quite long, and reusable pads may be fitted to a specific size mattress; a queen-sized incontinence pad, for example, will fit snugly on a queen mattress. Disposable pads are usually much smaller and only cover a small portion of the mattress. The pad must therefore be carefully positioned underneath the person before he or she gets into bed for the night.

WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Dan Cavallari
By Dan Cavallari , Former Writer
Dan Cavallari, a talented writer, editor, and project manager, crafts high-quality, engaging, and informative content for various outlets and brands. With a degree in English and certifications in project management, he brings his passion for storytelling and project management expertise to his work, launching and growing successful media projects. His ability to understand and communicate complex topics effectively makes him a valuable asset to any content creation team.
See our Editorial Process Share Feedback

Related Articles

Discussion Comments

By Rotergirl — On Jul 30, 2014

@Pippinwhite -- I know the hospice places and elder care centers always appreciate receiving packs of the disposable pads. They're so good for people who cannot toilet themselves and it saves a lot of work for their caregivers.

The reusable ones are a great idea. You can just buy two or three and keep changing them out and washing them. It saves the bedsheets, too. Eventually, body fluids will stain sheets and that can be very embarrassing to an older person. Goodness knows, many of them don't have much dignity left because of their circumstances, but this allows them to have some. They're great.

By Pippinwhite — On Jul 29, 2014

My mom is 85 and has had some problems with diarrhea lately. We got her a couple of these washable pads and they do work very well. She doesn't have to get me over there to change her sheets. She can just take the pad off and throw it in the washer and replace it with a clean one. It's made her life a lot easier, as we deal with this diarrhea business.

I would recommend these especially for older people who may have some incontinence issues. They are so helpful and make for less embarrassment and inconvenience. They are worth the money.

Dan Cavallari

Dan Cavallari

Former Writer

Dan Cavallari, a talented writer, editor, and project manager, crafts high-quality, engaging, and informative content for various outlets and brands. With a degree in English and certifications in project management, he brings his passion for storytelling and project management expertise to his work, launching and growing successful media projects. His ability to understand and communicate complex topics effectively makes him a valuable asset to any content creation team.
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.