Underpad Buying Guide for Canadian Healthcare: Absorbency Levels, Sizing & Cost

July 17, 2026

Choosing the Right Underpad for Your Healthcare Facility

Disposable underpads—also known as bed pads, incontinence pads, or chux pads—are an essential supply in Canadian healthcare settings, from long-term care homes to hospitals and home care. They protect mattresses, reduce laundry costs, and improve patient dignity by managing incontinence effectively.

But with so many options on the market—different absorbency levels, sizes, materials, and price points—how do you choose the right underpad for your facility? This buying guide breaks down everything Canadian healthcare procurement teams need to know.

Disposable underpads for Canadian healthcare facilities

What Is a Disposable Underpad?

A disposable underpad is a multi-layer absorbent pad placed on a bed, chair, or examination table to protect surfaces from incontinence, wound drainage, or medical procedure fluids. Typical construction includes:

Top sheet — Soft, non-woven fabric that wicks moisture away from the skin (stays dry next to patient)
Absorbent core — Fluff pulp mixed with superabsorbent polymer (SAP) that locks in fluid
Backing layer — Waterproof polyethylene film that prevents fluid from reaching the mattress

Absorbency Levels: Light, Moderate, Heavy

Underpads are categorized by their absorbency capacity, typically measured in millilitres (mL) or by the weight of the absorbent core.

Light Absorbency (200-600 mL capacity)

Best for: Protection during examinations, post-procedural drainage, low-flow wound care
Typical use: Exam rooms, procedural areas, short-term protection
Core weight: 200-400 gsm (grams per square metre)
Cost: Lowest per-unit, suitable for high-volume disposables

Moderate Absorbency (600-1,200 mL capacity)

Best for: General incontinence care, overnight use for light-to-moderate incontinence
Typical use: LTC homes, hospital wards, rehab facilities
Core weight: 400-600 gsm
Cost: Mid-range; the most popular choice for LTC

Heavy Absorbency (1,200-2,500+ mL capacity)

Best for: Heavy incontinence, bariatric patients, overnight use, wound drainage
Typical use: ICU, high-acuity LTC units, palliative care
Core weight: 600-900+ gsm
Cost: Highest per-unit, but fewer changes needed

Underpad absorbency levels and sizing guide for Canadian healthcare

Sizing Guide: What Size Underpad Do You Need?

Standard Size	Dimensions	Best For
Small (Chair Pad)	17" × 20" (43 × 51 cm)	Wheelchairs, exam chairs, car seats
Medium	23" × 24" (58 × 61 cm)	Standard beds, stretchers, partial coverage
Large (Standard)	23" × 36" (58 × 91 cm)	Full bed coverage for incontinence care
Extra Large	30" × 36" (76 × 91 cm)	Bariatric beds, full bed + pillow coverage

Pro tip: The most common size for Canadian LTC homes is the 23" × 36" standard large underpad. It provides full coverage of the critical zone on a standard hospital bed without excessive waste. If your facility has bariatric beds or higher-acuity patients, consider the extra-large size.

Key Features to Evaluate

1. Superabsorbent Polymer (SAP) Content

SAP is the "magic" ingredient that turns liquid into gel, locking it away from the patient's skin. Higher SAP content means better fluid retention and less leakage. A quality underpad should contain at least 15-25% SAP by weight in the absorbent core.

2. Wetness Indicator

Many premium underpads include a blue stripe or pattern that fades or disappears when wet. This allows caregivers to check quickly without disturbing the patient, reducing unnecessary pad changes.

3. Odour Control

Some underpads incorporate odour-neutralizing technology (e.g., pH buffers, activated carbon) to reduce ammonia smells from urine. This is particularly important in multi-resident rooms in LTC homes.

4. Skin-Friendliness

Look for underpads with a low-residue, pH-balanced top sheet that minimizes skin irritation. Dermatologist-tested and hypoallergenic options are available for sensitive patients.

5. Embossed/Quilted Pattern

A quilted top sheet helps distribute fluid evenly across the absorbent core rather than pooling in one area, improving overall absorbency utilization and reducing leaks.

Cost Considerations for Canadian Healthcare

Pricing for disposable underpads varies widely based on absorbency, size, and quantity. Here's a rough guide for Canadian procurement:

Absorbency Level	Price per Unit (Bulk)	LTC Home Monthly Cost*
Light (200-600 mL)	$0.10–$0.20	$600–$1,200
Moderate (600-1,200 mL)	$0.20–$0.35	$1,200–$2,100
Heavy (1,200-2,500 mL)	$0.35–$0.55	$2,100–$3,300

*Based on a 100-bed LTC home averaging 3-4 underpad changes per incontinent resident per day, assuming 60% incontinence rate.

Procurement Tips for Canadian Facilities

Match absorbency to patient acuity — Don't use heavy-absorbency pads for every resident. Segment by care level to optimize costs.
Consider trial programs — Before committing to a large order, request samples and run a 2-week trial on one unit to evaluate performance.
Evaluate total cost of use — A cheaper underpad that needs changing more often may cost more in the long run than a higher-quality product.
Check Canadian regulatory compliance — Underpads sold as medical devices in Canada should comply with Health Canada's Medical Devices Regulations. Verify that your supplier's products are properly licensed.
Combine with other disposable products — Bundling underpads with disposable bed sheets, gloves, and incontinence briefs from one supplier often unlocks better pricing.

Conclusion

Selecting the right underpad for your Canadian healthcare facility means balancing absorbency, size, features, and cost. Start with the moderate-absorbency standard large (23" × 36") as your baseline, then layer in light or heavy options for specific resident needs. A well-planned underpad strategy reduces laundry costs, protects mattresses, improves resident comfort, and simplifies your supply chain.

CliniEco Medical supplies Canadian healthcare facilities with a complete range of disposable underpads—from light chair pads to heavy-absorbency overnight protection. Browse our underpad collection or request a free sample pack to evaluate quality before committing to bulk orders.