If you run a long-term care home or manage home care services in Ontario, you know that underpads (also called bed pads or chucks) are one of those products you go through by the pallet—not by the box. They're a high-volume consumable that directly impacts patient dignity, staff workload, and your facility's bottom line.
Over the years, I've helped LTC homes across Ontario evaluate their underpad purchasing, and the same issues come up again and again: absorbency claims that don't match real-world performance, sizing that doesn't fit standard bed dimensions, and pricing that hides behind vague "case lot" terms. This guide breaks down what actually matters.
What Makes a Good Underpad?
Underpads serve a straightforward purpose: protect the bed or chair surface from moisture while keeping the patient comfortable. But not all underpads are created equal, and the difference shows up in the three layers that make up every product.
| Layer | Function | What to Look For |
|---|---|---|
| Top sheet (facing the patient) | Allow fluid to pass through quickly; stay dry on contact | Soft, non-woven polypropylene or spunbond material. Should feel dry to the touch within seconds. |
| Core (absorbent layer) | Lock in moisture and prevent leakage | Wood pulp fluff + SAP (super absorbent polymer). Heavier weight = more absorbency. Look for SAP content—this is what turns liquid into gel and prevents rewetting. |
| Back sheet (bottom layer) | Prevent fluid from reaching the mattress | Polyethylene film. Must be leak-proof rated. Thicker is better—4mil+ recommended for heavy-use settings. |
The single most important spec to check is the SAP content in the absorbent core. SAP (sodium polyacrylate) is the material that absorbs and locks in fluid. Underpads with higher SAP content absorb faster, lock in more fluid, and keep the patient's skin drier—which directly reduces the risk of incontinence-associated dermatitis and pressure injuries.
Sizing: One Size Doesn't Fit All
Underpads come in several standard sizes. The right size depends on your patient population and the surface you're protecting.
| Size | Typical Use | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 17" x 24" | Chair pads, wheelchair protection | Day rooms, dining areas, short-term use |
| 23" x 36" | Half-bed coverage | Standard hospital beds, intermittent use |
| 30" x 36" | Full-bed coverage | LTC standard—covers the most critical area |
| 36" x 36" | Extra coverage / bariatric | Heavy incontinence, larger patients |
For most LTC homes, 30" x 36" is the sweet spot. It covers the torso and pelvic area of a standard bed without excessive waste. I've seen homes buy 23" x 36" to save money, but staff end up using two at a time—doubling the per-use cost and defeating the purpose.
Cost Analysis: High-Volume Purchasing
For a typical 100-bed LTC home, underpad usage ranges from 300 to 600 pads per day depending on the resident acuity level. At 450 pads per day (a reasonable average), that's over 13,000 pads per month—and over 164,000 per year.
| Product | Price | Pads per Package | Cost per Pad | Annual Cost (164K pads) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CliniEco Heavy Absorbency Underpad (30x36) | $12.99 | 50 | $0.26 | $42,640 |
| CliniEco PLA Biodegradable Underpad (30x36) | $39.99 | 50 | $0.80 | $131,200 |
| Typical distributor equivalent | $18-28 | 50 | $0.36-0.56 | $59,000-$91,800 |
The heavy-duty CliniEco underpads at $0.26 per pad save a typical LTC home roughly $16,000 to $49,000 per year compared to national-brand distributor pricing. At this volume, even a few cents per pad makes a significant budget impact.
Practical Considerations for LTC Procurement
- Storage: Underpads are bulky. A 100-bed home using 450 pads/day needs about 30-40 cases in inventory. Make sure your storage area can handle pallet-sized orders.
- Staff preference matters: I've seen homes buy a cheaper underpad that staff hated because it tore during placement or didn't stay flat. Run a trial with your nursing team.
- Disposal: Check with your waste hauler about disposal requirements for incontinence products. Some municipalities have specific guidelines.
- SAP migration: Low-quality underpads sometimes lose SAP granules during handling. If you see loose granules in the packaging, that's a quality red flag.
Quick Checklist for Your Next Underpad Order
- ☐ Confirm the correct size for your beds (30" x 36" is the LTC standard)
- ☐ Verify SAP content in the absorbent core (higher = better absorption)
- ☐ Check back sheet thickness (4mil+ for reliable leak protection)
- ☐ Run a staff trial before committing to a new supplier
- ☐ Calculate total annual cost, not per-box price
- ☐ Ask for ASTM or ISO certification documentation
- ☐ Evaluate storage requirements before ordering pallet quantities
A Final Thought
Underpads are a necessity in long-term care, but they don't have to be a budget line item you just accept. A few cents per pad, multiplied across hundreds of thousands of pads per year, adds up to real money—money that could go toward staffing, equipment, or resident programs.
At CliniEco Medical, our heavy-absorbency underpads are designed for exactly this use case: reliable, competitively priced, and available in both standard and biodegradable options.
CliniEco Medical supplies LTC homes and healthcare facilities across Ontario from our Toronto warehouse. Free samples available for qualified buyers.