Disposable postpartum underwear is thrown away after it is worn, and washable pairs are laundered and worn again. Neither is better in every home, because the choice comes down to your laundry capacity, your comfort and how you feel about ongoing cost and waste. Some people use both, and this guide shows how to weigh them.
How each type works
Disposable styles either have absorbent layers built into a pull-on garment, or they are stretch mesh briefs that hold a separate pad. When you change, the used item goes in the garbage.
Washable pairs are fabric underwear. Some have absorbent layers sewn in, and others are made to be worn with a pad. After wearing, you rinse and launder them. The product page should tell you which design you are looking at. You can browse disposable pull-on styles in the Incontinence Products collection and reusable ones in Washable Incontinence Underwear. Those collections are built around bladder leaks, so the product page is where you find out whether a style suits what you have in mind.
Absorbency and leak protection
Compare what each page actually states, such as the number of absorbent layers on a washable pair or the absorbency level on a disposable pack. Each brand sets its own absorbency scale, so a comparison across brands is only a rough guide.
Fit matters alongside the rating. Snug leg openings and a waistband that stays flat help keep everything where it is meant to sit, so check both when a pair arrives. If a washable pair does not look like enough on its own, check whether the page says it can be worn with a pad. How much bleeding to expect after birth is a question for your midwife, doctor or nurse.
Comfort, stretch and waist height
Both types come in a range of cuts, so the type alone does not tell you how a pair will feel. Washable pairs are fabric, and the listing should name the fibres. A disposable listing may give its materials too. If you know that certain fabrics bother your skin, read the materials line before you order, and ask your pharmacist or doctor if skin becomes sore or red.
Waist height varies in both types, so check the rise on the page. A higher, wider band suits some people in the early weeks, and a low-rise cut suits others.
Convenience: toss it or wash it
Disposables win on effort. There is no rinsing, no extra load and nothing to dry, and they pack easily for a hospital bag or a day out. The trade-off is that you need garbage space and you must reorder before you run out.
Washables ask more of your week. Used pairs need a quick cold rinse, a place to wait until wash day and a spot to dry. Away from home, a used pair comes back with you instead of going in the garbage.
Ongoing cost and household waste
Disposables are a repeat purchase: you buy a pack, use it up and buy again for as long as you want them. Washables are bought once and worn many times, and they add water, electricity and detergent to your household bills.
To compare fairly, see the current price on each product page and work out a cost per wear. For a disposable pack, divide the price by the count. For a washable pair, divide the price by the number of times you expect to wear it over the weeks you plan to use it.
On waste, disposables add to your garbage every day. Washables cut that down but use more water and energy for laundry. Neither is free of impact, so decide which matters more to your household.
Using both: disposables first, washables later
Some people start with disposables when laundry feels hardest, then move to washable pairs when daily routines settle. Others keep disposables for nights and outings and wear washable pairs at home. A hospital bag can hold a few of each so you can see which feels better.
Your recovery sets the pace, not a schedule. If you also want to protect the mattress, our guide to disposable vs washable bed pads weighs the same trade-offs for bedding.
A quick way to decide
| Question | Leans disposable | Leans washable |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry capacity | Little time or help right now | A machine and drying space ready |
| Spending | Prefer to buy as you go | Prefer to buy once and reuse |
| Garbage | Less of a concern | You want to cut it down |
| Hospital or travel | Easy to pack and discard | Needs a bag for used pairs |
If your answers split, start small: one pack of disposables and one or two washable pairs. One reusable item in our catalogue is the LFDAVP reusable cover pants in Large, 2 Pack. Its title describes cover pants rather than absorbent underwear, so check its page for how it is meant to be used before you order.
Shop this guide
- Medela Quick Clean Wipes for On-the-Go Cleaning of Breast Pumps, Accessories, 90 Count (ships via Amazon)
- Reusable Incontinence Underwear, Women, High Waist, XL, 3 (ships via Amazon)
- Momcozy 999 Silver Nursing Cups Original Perforated Breathable Design, 999 Silver Nipple Cover for Breastfeedi (ships via Amazon)
- 3-Pack Incontinence Underwear for Men, 150ml, Grey, Size Large (ships via Amazon)
- See all: Postpartum & Nursing Care
- See all: Washable Incontinence Underwear
Prices are on each product page. Free shipping on orders of $100 or more within Canada.
Common questions
Are washable pairs as absorbent as disposables?
It depends on the product. Read the stated absorbency and layers for each one and compare what the pages say. If you are unsure, ask us before you order.
Can I wash disposable underwear?
No. Disposables are made to be thrown away after wearing, so follow the directions on the pack.
How do I carry used pairs when I am out?
Fold the used pair in on itself and put it in a waterproof wet bag or a sealed bag, apart from your clean pairs. Rinse it in cold water when you get home, then wash it as the care label directs.
Do washable pairs need special detergent?
Check the care label on your pair. It names what to use and what to avoid, and it takes priority over general advice.
Still undecided between the two? Tell us what your week looks like through our contact page, and we will help you choose.