5 Mistakes to Avoid When Washing Your Reusable Incontinence Bed Pads

Reusable incontinence bed pads are a fantastic investment! They save money, reduce waste, and provide long-lasting comfort and protection. But to keep them performing at their best, it’s essential to wash and care for them correctly. Even small mistakes in your laundry routine can reduce absorbency, shorten their lifespan, or affect hygiene.

Here are five common washing mistakes to avoid when cleaning your washable bed pads.

1. Using Fabric Softener

Fabric softener might make clothes feel soft, but it’s the enemy of absorbent fabrics. Softening agents leave a thin coating on the fibres of your washable bed pads, which can block the material’s pores and drastically reduce absorbency.

Tip: Skip the softener and use a small amount of white vinegar in the rinse cycle instead. It helps soften fabrics naturally and removes odours without affecting absorbency.

2. Washing on the Wrong Temperature

Washing your pads in water that’s too hot or too cold can cause issues. High heat may damage the waterproof backing or elastic, while washing in cool water might not fully remove bacteria.

Best Practice:
Check the care label, but generally, a warm wash at 60°C is ideal. It’s hot enough to sanitise without harming the waterproof layers.

3. Using Too Much Detergent

It’s easy to think more detergent means cleaner results, but that’s not the case. Excess detergent can leave behind residue that clogs absorbent fibres and irritates sensitive skin.

Tip: Use the recommended amount on your detergent packaging and choose a mild, non-bio detergent for the best results.

4. Tumble Drying on High Heat

High temperatures can cause shrinkage, melt waterproof layers, and damage the fibres of your washable incontinence products.

Tip:
Air drying is the best option. It’s gentler, energy-efficient, and helps your pads last longer. If you do use a tumble dryer, stick to a low-heat or delicate setting.

5. Skipping a Pre-Rinse

If your washable bed pads are heavily soiled, putting them straight into the wash can spread bacteria and odours throughout the load.

Tip:
Give them a quick cold pre-rinse or soak before the main wash. This helps loosen any waste and makes the final wash more effective.

Caring for your washable incontinence products properly doesn’t take much effort, and it pays off in performance and longevity.

By avoiding these five mistakes, you’ll help maintain the absorbency, hygiene, and comfort of your bed pads for many months (or even years) to come.

P&S Healthcare has been designing and manufacturing washable bed pads and incontinence products in the UK for over 35 years.

Browse our full range of high-quality, washable protection on our website and experience comfort, confidence, and reliability you can trust.

👉 Shop Washable Bed Pads at P&S Healthcare

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