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Sheet protectors can help a person with incontinence wake up dry. These large pads cannot stop a person from leaking urine, but they can keep the urine from the person’s skin and protect their bedding.

Pads come in two different styles: washable and disposable. Although washable pads are more environmentally and budget-friendly, disposable pads offer some convenience, as a person can just throw them away after use.

This article reviews sheet protectors and highlights what to look for, specific brands to check out, and how to find the right sheet protector.

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About one-quarter to one-third of adults in the United States have urinary incontinence. The National Association for Continence estimates that around 25 million people in the U.S. experience at least some urine leakage each year.

Different factors can affect a person’s risk of developing urinary incontinence. They include:

  • age
  • pregnancy
  • number of children, in females
  • prostate issues
  • menopause

Sheet protectors can help a person with incontinence have a higher quality of life. Sheet protectors can:

  • absorb urine quickly to prevent the person from waking up
  • prevent the mattress from getting wet, staining, or developing an odor
  • stop the moisture from spreading to a person’s sleeping partner
  • protect the person’s skin from urine

Although sheet protectors can protect the sheets, mattress, and a person’s skin, they cannot treat incontinence itself. A person who finds that they are frequently leaking during the day or night should talk with a doctor about possible causes and treatment options.

Some potential treatments for urinary incontinence include:

  • medications
  • pelvic floor exercises
  • timed voiding
  • lifestyle changes, including managing one’s weight, avoiding alcohol and tobacco, and drinking less caffeine
  • surgery

Sheet protectors can help a person with incontinence avoid nightly sheet changes and help prevent damage to the mattress. Not all sheet protectors have the same features, however, which can make it difficult to decide which mattress will work best for a person.

When shopping for sheet protectors, some factors to take into account include:

  • Size: The size of the pad can make a difference in how much protection they provide. If the pad is not large enough, a person may roll off of it, or it may not cover enough of the bed to be effective.
  • Reusable or disposable: Some protectors have one use, while others are washable and reusable.
  • Absorbance level: A person should look into how much the pad can absorb and whether or not it is enough for their needs. Also, how quickly the pad absorbs the urine affects how likely the leakage is to wake the person up.
  • Odor control: Some sheet protectors have built-in odor control.
  • How well it stays on the mattress: Some companies design their sheet protectors with grips so that the pad stays in place.
  • Cost: A person should consider the cost of each protector and how much it will cost if they need to replace them continually.

Please note that the writer of this article has not tried any of these products. All information presented here is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.

Conkote Heavy Absorbency Bed Pads

Conkote has developed a heavy absorbency bed pad that protects the sheets and mattress from incontinence.

The pad features:

  • three absorbent layers
  • a non-slip vinyl layer that helps keep the pad in place
  • a washable and reusable design
  • the ability to hold up to six cups of liquid

The company sells several different pad sizes to fit most people’s needs.

Reviews on Amazon are mostly positive. The product has an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars from over 4,500 reviews. A 34-inch (in) x 52-in pad costs around $20 for a single pack.

Vive Washable Incontinence Bed Pad

Vive’s washable incontinence bed pad comes in two different sizes. It can work for twin and full-size beds and can be a good option for people with incontinence or children.

Some additional features include:

  • several layers of absorption
  • a non-slip, anti-bunching layer
  • washability
  • availability in one-, two-, or four-packs

The product has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from over 5,000 customer reviews on Amazon.

The pad’s manufacturers do not specify how much liquid it can hold, which may be an issue for people who leak large amounts of urine.

A double pack costs around $27.

CoolShields Waterproof Bed Pad Washable

CoolShields offers a waterproof bed pad in one- and two-packs. The pad’s features include:

  • the ability to hold up to eight cups of water
  • washable up to 200 times
  • a non-slip bottom layer
  • the ability to keep moisture away from a person’s skin

In addition, it has around 4.6 out of 5 stars based on user ratings on Amazon. A single pack costs around $21.

Medline Heavy Absorbency Quilted Fluff And Polymer Disposable Underpads

These underpad sheet protectors come in packs of 50 disposable pads.

They feature:

  • high absorbency
  • a design that means they are easy to fold and use when traveling
  • gentleness for sensitive skin
  • discrete packaging
  • odor control

It is unclear how much liquid these pads can absorb in a single pad and how well the pads stay in place.

The product currently has 4.6 out of 5 stars from user ratings on Amazon. A pack of 50 costs around $42.

McKesson UPHV3036 StayDry Ultra Underpads

These pads by McKesson are disposable and come in packs of 100. They feature:

  • odor control
  • neutralizers to reduce the acidity of urine and protect the skin
  • fast absorption
  • a latex-free design

McKesson offers several sizes and absorbencies for its pads. Although the sizes use inches to give an idea of how large the pad is, it is not clear how much liquid each absorbance level can handle.

The pads have an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars from Amazon shoppers. A pack of 100 costs about $40.

Alsunny Health Bed Pads for Incontinence

Alsunny Health offers bed pads to protect sheets and mattresses from urine.

The pad’s features include:

  • the ability to hold up to six cups of water
  • the ability to work after hundreds of washes
  • a design that makes the product easy to fold and travel with
  • a non-slip layer to keep it in place
  • a soft and durable design
  • a 100% waterproof design

The pad has an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars from users on Amazon. A pack of two costs around $30.

Careboree 2-Pack Premium Cotton Top-Layer Reusable Tuckable Underpads

Careboree offers sheet protectors that can tuck in on either side of the bed to keep them in place.

In addition, the pads feature:

  • a reusable design for up to 300 washes
  • different models to fit a range of bed sizes
  • moisture-wicking and instant absorption
  • a 100% waterproof design

It is not clear how much liquid these pads can hold per use. They also may be difficult to travel with due to the extra size of the wings.

On Amazon, users provide an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. The twin-size pads start at around $37 for a twin pack.

Pros

  • These pads can protect the skin.
  • They help keep the sheets and mattress dry.
  • Different types are available, including disposable and reusable pads.

Cons

  • These pads may move during the night.
  • Disposable pads are bad for the environment, and reusable pads require more maintenance.
  • Some pads may not be able to absorb large amounts of liquid.
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Sheet protectors can help a person with incontinence avoid waking in the middle of the night or waking up wet. They can also help protect the sheets and mattress from urine.

These pads are either disposable or reusable. Most pads cover a large area of the bed and can absorb plenty of liquid. However, some may move during the night.