Incontinence products have come a long way over the years. Incontinence pants have transformed the lives of those with living with incontinence or caring for someone with incontinence. But there are so many products available now, it can be hard to choose the right ones for your needs. Today we are going to discuss disposable incontinence underwear vs. washable incontinence underwear.
Disposable Incontinence Underwear
Shopping for incontinence products can be daunting when you don’t know where to start. Below are the pros and cons of disposable incontinence underwear.
The Pros
Higher Absorbency
Disposable incontinence underwear including all in ones, pads, and disposable pants, have a much higher absorbency rate than washable incontinence underwear. This means you can wear them for longer periods of time and you can feel more confident and relaxed knowing you have the best protection. For a highly absorbent option, look for “maxi” absorbent products.
Odour Control Systems
Disposable incontinence underwear is highly absorbent, meaning it also has an improved odour control system. This means you can be sure that no matter how big or small a leak you have, those around you won’t notice. This is a further example of how disposable incontinence products give greater comfort.
Time Saving
Unlike washable products, you don’t have to spend time washing products. Your disposables can be easily thrown away and replaced whenever you have a leak.
Longer Wear
Unlike washable incontinence products, you can wear disposable incontinence pants longer than washable versions. This is because disposable products are far more absorbent, meaning you don’t have to worry about changing the product frequently, especially if a bathroom isn’t readily available.
More Convenient
Compared to washable incontinence products, disposable products are far more convenient. Whenever a product is full or you are finished with it, you can simply throw it away. This means you aren’t constantly cleaning products, and keeping track on what – and how many – you have clean. This makes them far more preferable for those with busy lifestyles and/or limited mobility/dexterity.
Discreet
Unlike bulky washable products, disposable products are designed to be discreet to wear and carry with you. This means no tell-tale lines can be seen through your pants or dresses. They are also easily carried in pockets or bags. And, when travelling, disposable products are much easier to travel with and take up less storage space.
Cons
Less Cost Effective
Buying disposable incontinence products can be costly, depending on the brand. They need to be bought more frequently, costing you more money in the long run if not bought in bulk. Using products and then throwing them away means more trips to the supermarket or online stores like Holistic Incontinence. Luckily, Holistic Incontinence offers a handy subscription plan so you can set and forget. You need to be wise about your shopping to ensure you’re not spending more than you absolutely need to.
Skin Health
With disposable products, you need to be careful about incontinence associated dermatitis. Because disposable products can be worn longer, it is extra important that you take care of your skin. Infections can occur when products are left on too long or you don’t use the right skin products. Skin rashes and irritation can occur due to prolonged use of wet products and moisture can be a perfect breeding ground for bacteria. This means you have to be extra careful cleaning, drying, and using an appropriate skin moisturiser to prevent skin health issues.
Environmentally Unfriendly
Because of their disposable nature, disposable incontinence products can be seen as worse for the environment than washable products. Throwing out these products means adding to the landfill issues we already have. So when choosing disposable incontinence products, you have to make intelligent choices and seek out biodegradable options where possible such as the products Holistic Incontinence offer.
Hygienic Disposal
Disposable products can be considered hazardous waste to an extent. This means you need to ensure you dispose of them correctly. You should not flush pads down toilets or throw disposable products in public trash cans. You need to invest in proper disposable bags, as well as cleansing and hygienic products. Holistic Incontinence carries a wide range of products to help you manage your incontinence and keep yourself safe.
Washable Incontinence Pants
Just like with disposable incontinence underwear, shopping for incontinence products can be difficult when you don’t know what to consider or where to start. Below we discuss the pros and cons of washable incontinence underwear.
Pros
Underwear-like Feel
Unlike most disposable incontinence products, washable incontinence underwear has a more “normal” underwear feel. Washable pants are ideal for people who are scared of going too far out of their comfort zone. These products provide maximum discretion and can feel more like normal underwear because they can be washed. The material of washable incontinence wear stretches and is flexible, acting like normal underwear and helping you relax when you’re out and about. They are ideal for those with active lifestyles.
Environmentally Friendly
Washable incontinence underwear is far better for the environment than disposable underwear. Because they are washable and reusable, they create far less waste which means less product going into landfill. Further, these products last a long time, meaning you can feel satisfied in the knowledge that you have done your bit to help the environment.
Kinder on the Hip Pocket
Compared to disposable incontinence underwear, washables are far cheaper in the long run. While they might be more expensive to buy, initially, than disposables, in the long run you don’t need to buy washables as frequently as disposables. Buying reusable products aren’t only great for preventing waste, they also save you from the uncomfortable process of frequently ordering products.
Discretion
Washable incontinence products are more like regular underwear, which means you are able to hang them up on your washing line or a drying rack. People are less likely to notice your drying washable products compared to a box of disposable underwear in your bathroom.
Cons
Lower Absorbency
Washable incontinence underwear are only available in lower absorbencies which means they are not suitable for people with heavy incontinence, making them unsuitable for many patients with incontinence. This lower absorbency is ideal for those with light incontinence but not for those diagnosed with moderate to severe incontinence. For those with moderate to severe incontinence, Holistic Incontinence recommends a disposable all in one product.
Organisation
When it comes to washable incontinence underwear, you need to be organised when it comes to washing your products. You always need to ensure you have plenty of clean products on hand. This means staying on top of your washing, which can be time consuming. This can mean that, if you’re immobile and find it difficult to maintain an independent washing schedule, then washable products might not be suitable for you.
High Temperature Washing
Washable products need to be washed at a very high temperature, and it is vital to read the instructions on each product before cleaning. This is due to the fact that the properties of the materials vary across products. Washing at high temperatures helps ensure the products are clean and sanitised for re-wear.
Faecal Incontinence
Washable incontinence products are also not suitable for faecal incontinence. While some disposable pants with an extremely high absorbency can handle faecal incontinence issues, washable products simply cannot.
Are you struggling with choosing the right incontinence products for your lifestyle and needs? Explore the range at Holistic Incontinence today to see our wide range or contact our team for more information on our products!