The saving comes from fit and planning, not from buying a thinner product and hoping for the best. A product that fits well and suits the time of day tends to leak less, which can mean fewer products used, fewer bedding changes and less laundry. Start with a one-week tally, then change one thing at a time and see what the numbers say.
Start with a one-week tally of what you use
You cannot trim what you have not counted. For seven days, keep a note on the fridge or in your phone with:
- how many products are used in the day and overnight, with the type and size
- every leak, with the time and what the person was wearing
- bed pads or chair pads changed, and loads of laundry run
- wipes, creams and disposal bags used up
Leaks may cluster at the same time of day, or one product may be changed early because it is uncomfortable. That points you toward the right fix instead of a guess.
Why the right size wastes less
A product that is too big can gap at the legs, where leaks escape. One that is too small can pinch, shift or tear when pulled on, and ends up in the garbage early. Measure the waist and hips and compare them with the diaper sizing guide and the size chart on the product page.
If you land between two sizes, buy one small pack of each before you commit to a case.
Match absorbency to the time of day
One absorbency level for all 24 hours may not be the most economical choice. A product built for a long overnight stretch can be more than you need for an hour at home, while a light product that leaks or has to be changed again and again can cost more in the end.
| Time of day | What to consider | What to check on the pack |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime at home | Frequent chances to change | Absorbency level and size |
| Outings | Longer gaps and fewer chances to change | Absorbency and fit when sitting |
| Overnight | One long stretch without a change, with a bed pad as backup | Whether it is named for overnight use, the absorbency level and size |
Some listings name the level in the title, such as the Abena Slip Briefs, Level 1 Moderate, Medium, 104 Count. A level name from one brand may not match another brand's, so compare within one brand and check the product page.
Do not stretch the time between changes to save a product. A wet product left on is uncomfortable and hard on skin, and if skin looks red or sore, check with a doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Where washable products can take over
Washable underpads for beds and chairs, and reusable incontinence underwear, replace some disposable items with ones you launder. They are bought once and washed, so the calculation depends on how many you need in rotation and what laundry costs you. Look at the current price on the product page and the care instructions before you decide.
A common use is a washable pad on the bed or a favourite chair, where a disposable pad would otherwise be replaced often. The Utopia Bedding Washable Incontinence Bed Pads, 34 x 36 in, Blue, 4 Pack comes as a set of four, so one can be in the wash while another is in use. The washable underpads and bed pads collection lists more. Read each care label for how the item should be washed and dried, and keep some disposables on hand for days when laundry is not possible.
Buying by the case and planning orders
Once a product and size work, a larger pack or a case means fewer orders and less last-minute shopping. Trial first: buy one small pack, use it for several days, then scale up. To compare pack sizes fairly, divide the current price on the product page by the count in the title. Check the size before a case goes in your cart, because a case in the wrong size is an expensive mistake.
Planning does the rest. Your tally shows how many pieces you use in a week, so you can work out how long a pack lasts and order before the last one is opened. Allow for delivery: 2 to 4 business days is usual for items tagged Ships via Amazon, and items from our own suppliers ship in 3 to 5 business days. Combine what you need into one order where you can, and look at the shipping charge shown at checkout before you confirm. You can browse the incontinence products collection to compare options.
Shop this guide
- Poise Ultra Thin Incontinence Pads with Wings, Moderate, Regular Length, 54 Count (ships via Amazon)
- DMI Duro-Med Convoluted Bed Pad, Queen-Size, Blue (ships via Amazon)
- Reusable Incontinence Underwear, Women, High Waist, XL, 3 (ships via Amazon)
- Dynarex Disposable Underpad, 17 in x 24 in, 100 Count (Pack of 10) (ships via Amazon)
- See all: Adult Incontinence
- See all: Washable Underpads & Bed Pads
- See all: Washable Incontinence Underwear
- See all: Disposable Underpads
Prices are on each product page. Free shipping on orders of $100 or more within Canada.
Costs that creep in: laundry, bags and extras
Supplies are only part of the total. Add these to your tally so you see the whole picture:
- laundry: water, detergent and dryer time, or machine fees at a laundromat or shared laundry room
- garbage bags and small disposal bags
- extra wipes, creams and skin care items bought in a hurry
- replacement bedding, mattress protectors and stained clothing
- delivery or last-minute store trips when supplies run out
Questions to ask your insurer or provincial program
Each insurer and program sets its own rules, and we cannot say what any of them pays for. Ask them directly:
- Are incontinence supplies covered at all, and under what conditions?
- Is an assessment, a prescription or a form needed first?
- Are there limits on quantity, type or approved suppliers?
- Which receipts or paperwork should you keep, and for how long?
A doctor, nurse, pharmacist or home care coordinator may know whom to call. Keep the answers with your receipts.
Common questions
How long should I keep the tally?
One week is enough to start. Repeat it after you change a product, a size or a routine so you can compare the two weeks.
Can I mix disposable and washable products?
Some households do, for example washable pads on the bed and disposable products for outings. Follow the label on each item.
Who can help me check fit and absorbency?
A pharmacist or nurse can look at what you are using and talk it through. If leaks are new or getting worse, tell a doctor, because that is a health question rather than a shopping one.
Not sure whether a size or a case quantity is the right call? Tell us what your tally shows through the contact page before you order, and we will reply within one business day.