Share this page with friends
Disposable Pants vs Washable Pants: Which Should You Choose?
Disposable incontinence pants are one of the go-to products for people experiencing leaks. But, did you know there are washable incontinence pants too? One is intended to be single-use, while the other can be washed and used multiple times. Both have their pros and cons, so choosing which one is best for you is key. Deciding which one to buy doesn't have to be complicated if you know the major differences between the two.
Let’s dive right in shall we?
What are disposable incontinence pants?
First things first, an overview. Incontinence pants are probably the first thing that springs to mind when someone mentions incontinence. They’re the classic pants shape, designed with a combination of simplicity, absorbency and mobility in mind. They’re a convenient and discreet option for managing incontinence. You pull them up and put them on the same as you would regular underwear, but these feature a super-absorbent pad that can soak up a serious amount of liquid. You don’t need to chuck them away after every little leak. To get the most out of the bigger absorbencies, wait until they’re full. Once it’s full, you simply tear the sides, pack it up and dispose.
Who might want to wear disposable incontinence pants?
Disposable incontinence pants are tailored mostly for people experiencing moderate to heavy leaks. They have a substantially higher absorbency capacity compared to washable pants. If you're experiencing big leaks, you'll need a product with big absorbency. Their secure fit means you get leak protection over a much greater area. You’ll also benefit from extra protection technologies like Vivactive’s anti-leak cuffs. With anti-leak cuffs you’ll unlock twice the protection whether you’re standing, sitting or lying down.
What are washable incontinence pants?
Washable incontinence pants provide a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to their disposable counterparts. Rather than buying multiple packs, wearing them once and then chucking them away, you get over 250 washes without losing shape or elasticity.
Where you’re only buying a few pairs, they offer significant long-term cost savings. With proper care, they can be used over and over again, unlike disposables. By reducing waste generation, washable pants contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle. This is especially beneficial if you’re environmentally conscious.
Who might want to wear washable incontinence pants?
Washable incontinence pants are best suited for eco-minded people who experience light-mid levels of urine leakage. If you’re looking for a wearable experience almost identical to regular underwear, these are for you. They look just like regular underwear, so they’re perfect for those who want to maintain a high level of discretion. If you’re new to incontinence, a bit embarrassed about it and only experiencing small leaks, these can be a good choice. Transitioning straight from your usual pants to a big-time, heavy-duty, nappy can be really overwhelming. Washable pants can be the ideal solution for someone dipping their toes in the water.
Convenience
Convenience is always something to think about when you’re making a decision, it needs to fit into your lifestyle. Both products are convenient in their own ways.
Disposable pants need very little physical maintenance. You simply put them on, do your thing, and when you've finished with them, you can throw them away without having to worry. They're easy to remove too. Simply tear them at the side and you can then roll them up and secure them with the sticky tab. Where perhaps they fall down slightly in terms of convenience is the fact you have to manage your stock levels. Their disposable nature means eventually, you’ll need to buy more.
Washable incontinence pants offer their own kind of convenience. Because they can be washed and reused, you don't need to keep buying them. If you have enough to wear until you next wash them, you're all set. Our washable pants can be washed more than 250 times and won't use their shape or elasticity.Cost
Cost is always a concern. Everything is more expensive now. The cost of living crisis has everyone in the country in a bit of a pickle. Unfortunately, this means all the usual bills are so much higher now than they were before. So, everyone’s trying to find ways to save a bit of money where they can.
Vivactive is a brand that’s all about saving you money. Their customer-focused, online-only approach means they can provide the premium products that you’re used to at a fraction of the cost.
Cost is also a concern if you're comparing disposable pants vs washable pants. More than a billion incontinence products are bought in the UK each year and can amount to hundreds of pounds per person. Both disposable and reusable incontinence pants offer affordable options, but some people might have a preference for one over the other.
The lower cost is one of the benefits of disposable pants. The initial cost of a pack of disposable pants is less than buying washable pants. However, if they are being used long-term, the costs can add up over time. The initial investment in reusable pants might be higher, but they can start to pay for themselves over time as you wear them more.
Comfort
Feeling comfortable in your incontinence pants is a must. If you’re going to be wearing something all day, it needs to be comfortable. Both disposable and washable pants can offer you the comfort and confidence you're looking for. They are discreet, comfortable, and secure so they can be worn under your clothes without worry.
Both are designed to look, feel and fit like regular underwear, but the big difference is that washable pants look almost indistinguishable from regular underwear. If you put washable incontinence pants next to regular pants, you might have a hard time telling which one’s which. Don’t get me wrong, disposable incontinence pants look the part nowadays, but you can’t get away from the fact that they are clearly an incontinence solution.
Sustainability
If you want to make an eco-friendly choice, you might prefer washable pants over disposable pants. Disposable products are a necessity for many, but there are also issues when it comes to their impact on the environment. On the other hand, even washable pants have an environmental impact, as they need to be washed and will eventually be disposed of too.
Should I choose disposable pants or washable pants?
Why you should choose disposable pants
- Convenient to use
- Cheaper short-term cost
- Comfortable and discreet
- Big absorbency for big leaks
Why you should choose washable pants
- More cost-effective over time
- Reusable for hundreds of washes
- Comfortable and discreet
- More eco-friendly
- Small absorbency for small leaks
Vivactive offers all you need when you're looking for incontinence products. We have both disposable and washable incontinence pants, which are both made to an extremely high standard and available at affordable prices.
