A quick overview of bed pads.
The helpful Bed Pad is not a very interesting title but a bed pad is a very useful item. Washable bed pads are back. With the global emphasis on reducing waste from single-use items (disposable paper bed pads). Reusable fabric bed pads are becoming more and more popular. The use of a plastic sheet with a small draw sheet placed over it, on the bed, was once upon a time very popular. This saved having to change the whole bed if there was an “accident”. However, fabric sheeting was not very absorbent and the patient remained lying on a wet surface. This led to pressure sores and infection. Then along came the washable fabric bed pad. Traditionally called “Kylie sheets”, anybody who has worked in a nursing home, hospital or care home will remember them well. Whatever you call modern bed pads, they have the same useful properties as the originals. And bed pads are now widely available for purchase by individuals for use at home.
The modern bed pad.
Washable bed pads come in a range of sizes, colours and absorbencies. From the 60cm x 60cm pads, useful for children during toilet training or adults (to borrow a phrase from a famous panty liner producer) for the “OOPS moments” to the full cover for junior beds and double sizes 85cm x 135cm for double beds. There is a choice of with or without “wings” (again a phrase favoured by the panty liner producer). Wings are flaps that tuck under the mattress to keep the pads from moving, especially useful for people who move around a lot in bed.
A few things to remember.
- Always wash your bed pads before use because this increases the absorbency.
- Subsequent washes will also increase the absorbency when first purchased.
- Never use bleach or fabric conditioner in the wash as this affects the absorbency of the pad.
- Always buy the correct size and absorbency rating suitable for your needs.
- Never iron a bed pad.
The technical bit
Bed pads have several layers which all work together to provide a stay dry surface to sleep on, even if it is not practical to change the bed immediately. A stay dry top layer wicks away fluid to the middle layers where it is absorbed, and a polyurethane laminated bottom layer which is breathable waterproof and slip resistant keeps the bed dry.
The absorbency of a bed pad is governed by the size and the absorbent middle layers and is usually stated on the packaging. All our bed pad brands have been tested for absorbency and washed in commercial laundries at 95 deg. Our bed pads they are suitable for thermal disinfection and can be tumble dried on high.
Advice.
Have a look at our Comfortnights, ComfortCare and Community range of bed pads all available for next day delivery. Should you require any advice on the most suitable bed pad for you then please call us on 0161 366 0447.
Absorbs fluid and protects your bed. Washable bed pad with wings.
