Should I use washable incontinence pants?

Washable incontinence pants are a popular option for men and women, but they are best suited to you if you have light to moderate incontinence. They are probably most widely used by women with stress incontinence. For regular wearers, these products will save money, produce less waste and are more like standard underwear. Read on to find out more!

How they work

The pants (or briefs) have a sewn-in absorbent pad to protect against leakages. Arelle pants are made using a fine poly-cotton/Lycra mix, providing a similar comfortable feel to normal underwear, which is why so many people prefer them. They are designed to be machine or hand-washed at just 50°C and reused many times.  Their absorbency actually improves after a few washes. These pants are available in a wide range of sizes and absorbencies, with styles for men and women.

Better for the environment

With between 3 and 6 million people affected by incontinence at some stage in their lives, disposable pads make up a significant proportion of the waste that goes to landfill or incineration. Although much of the material in these pads is biodegradable, most still contain plastic that will take hundreds of years to decompose. The impact of disposable products on our environment is far greater than the regular use of the washing machine. So if you want to do your bit for the planet, then washable pants are a much better option. 

Better for you

As washable pants appear just like normal underwear, you should feel more confident and relaxed than when using bulkier products. They stretch, feel flexible and are particularly well suited if you have an active lifestyle. Unlike disposable products, washable pants don’t take up storage space in your cupboards, and can be stored with your other underwear, conveniently and discreetly. And of course, there are no disposal problems to concern yourself with.

Cost-effective

Arelle’s washable incontinence pants can last for 100 washes. During the lifetime of one pair of these pants, you may have otherwise used hundreds of disposable pads. As well as the cost of the pads, you may also have paid for their delivery. Even allowing for the cost of washing, the savings can be hundreds of pounds a year, which is something to consider.

Our top tips for you

• Before buying, make sure you measure your hips (women) or waist (men). You want the pants of briefs to fit snugly, and be neither too tight or too loose.
• Buy in bulk for the best cost savings and to ensure you have a sufficient supply to allow for washing
• For extra protection, perhaps at night or if you are making a long journey, you can add a booster pad. This will give you extra confidence without buying a more expensive product.
• When travelling away from home, for example on holiday, you might want to switch to disposable pants or pads,which are easier to dispose of rather than keep for washing later.
  

So there you have it. A comfortable, dignified, eco-friendly and cost-effective option. If you’d like to find out more, do have a look at the options on our website. We offer a wide range of sizes with discounts for multi-pack buying. There is a small postage charge for orders under £50, but we aim to get you your order on the next working day. For more personal product advice, do call us for free on 0800 389 3597 Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm – we’ll be pleased to assist.