Water absorbent mattress pads are valuable for kids, adults with urinary incontinence, or people who may have body fluids leaking from various places. These are inexpensive ways of keeping your expensive mattress fresh and clean.
For infants of small children, water absorbent mattress pads make sense. These little ones often have no control over their bladders while they are sleeping, and water absorbent mattress pads are just a sensible precaution against the inevitable.
Water absorbent mattress pads generally consist of three layers. The top layer, which lies against the sleeper, is a highly absorbent, thin material that wicks moisture away from the body quickly. Organic cotton or wool is a good choice. Synthetics such as rayon are water-repellent.
The center layer is the water-absorbent layer. It too may be an organic material such as cotton or wool. Hemp fiber (which contains none of marijuana’s active ingredient) is actually softer than cotton and can absorb twice as much water. Recently, fillers made of bamboo fibers have appeared on the market. These fibers are made from the pulp of bamboo grass, have excellent wicking ability, and hold lots of water. Various high-absorbency polyurethane foams are also used in water absorbent mattress pads. Certain gels used in diapers and feminine hygiene products can also be used in water absorbent mattress pads; typically these take the form of disposable inserts in hospital settings.
The bottom layer of water absorbent mattress pads is a water-resistant material, often vinyl, which is designed to keep wetness from penetrating the mattress.
Water absorbent mattress pads are available under many brand names. The KID-DING Waterproof Ultra-Soft Quilted Crib Mattress Pad (available from Wal Mart, $14.95) is rather badly named. It actually absorbs up to eight cups of liquid, but its vinyl bottom layer is 100 per cent waterproof.
Adults afflicted with incontinence also need water absorbent mattress pads. Absorption Plus is a quilted top water absorbent mattress pad that features a 200 thread count cotton top and fits mattresses up to sixteen inches thick. It comes in all standard bed sizes.
Quite a number of water absorbent mattress pads are designed to protect just the middle area of the mattress, where wetness is most often released. These water absorbent mattress pads can be placed on top of the bottom sheet to protect it as well, and tucked in at the sides of the mattress. Then there is no middle-of-the-night sheet changing; one need only whisk off the wet water absorbent mattress pad and lay down a fresh one.
Water absorbent mattress pads can be so inexpensive that soiled pads may be thrown away. But most water absorbent mattress pads need to be washed. Typically, they can be washed in warm water and dried on medium heat. Many people find it helps to hang water absorbent mattress pads in the sun to dry. The sun’s rays have a bleaching effect that can help keep water absorbent mattress pads looking new.
Incontinence is a difficult subject to discuss, especially for adults. But maintaining a clean, dry bed is an essential part of managing this condition. Water absorbent mattress pads are your main line of defense. Hopefully, this article has provided useful information about water absorbent mattress pads.