Size, Absorbency and Disposable vs. Washable

Generally speaking, underpads come in 3 sizes, and can be classified as

- Chair Size 17 X 24"

- Couch or Medium Size 23 X 24

- Bed size, 23 X 36 which coincides to a typical 36" wide hospital bed

In addition, there are specialty sized pads for special needs such as the Salk 36 X 54 washable pad that fits perfectly on a full size bed as well as covering most of the width of a queen size mattress.

People use underpads for 2 key reasons.

1) To help make clean up of any spills or involuntary voids much easier, and

2) To protect the surface under the underpad. Underpads are often used as bibs, and the bed, couch, recliner or chair are all popular areas protected.

So when choosing the size, take a good look at the area or areas you want to protect and match it's size to that of the underpad.

Keep in mind that if you are protecting multiple sized areas, it certainly might be wiser, and more economical, to buy 2 or even 3 sizes of underpads.

Why? If you use a pad that is two small for the area you need to protect, you are running the risk of under protection. And a common mistake is to think that you can "double up" or layer pads to increase the area of protection. This is not the best choice, because:

1) A single underpad that is the right size for the job will always do a better job than 2, 3 or 4 underpads that are layered. You receive better absorption, plus, there is less chance of skin problems due to wrinkle and ridges.

2) Using 2, 3, or more pads to do the job of one proper-sized pad WILL cost you more.

Just as in choosing the right size underpad, you'll want to match the absorbency to the volume of fluid you expect to be spent. And please do base it on fluid, as all our underpads can handle solids well.

If you're using an underpad as a bib, or for light urinary leakage, a light to moderate absorption pad will work fine. For moderate to heavy fluid volume, you are far better served spending a little more for the extra volume or performance of heavier absorbency pads.

If you are using pads for various reasons, it may be more efficient using a light absorbency pad for one duty and an extra absorbent pad for another.

For absorbency needs of 8 oz and over (one cup or more) you should consider a reusable / washable underpad. The excel in fluid absorption. More discussion on washable vs. disposable pads follows.

And please, if you decide to go with one underpad, choose the absorbency based on the higher fluid need. You'll be glad you did after every clean up.

Disposable are convenient and washables take a lot of work!

Of course it's not quit that simple, and the truth is, there are trade offs for each. A rating chart will look something like this: