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This page describes products and general use; it is not medical advice.
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Reusable incontinence pads are absorbent pads designed to be laundered and used again instead of discarded after one use. They are bought by clinic and facility staff and caregivers who need to know what a listing should state and how soiled pads are handled. For disposable pads see disposable incontinence pads; for the FDA class table see incontinence supplies and bed pads.
What reusable incontinence pads are
A reusable incontinence pad is a washable absorbent product intended to protect a bed, chair or the wearer from leakage. Two groups are commonly sold: reusable underpads (flat pads placed on a mattress or seat) and washable body-worn pads or protective underwear. Who uses them: people managing incontinence, caregivers, and care or clinic settings that launder textiles. What are underpads covers the product family in general.
Reusable underpads vs washable body-worn pads
| Group | Where it is used | What a record or listing should say |
|---|---|---|
| Reusable underpad | Placed under a person on a bed or chair | GMDN term “Absorbent underpad, non-antimicrobial, reusable” (code 66117) in the AccessGUDID example below |
| Washable body-worn pad or protective underwear | Worn on the body | Its own labeling and care label; class and code come from the listing, not from the product name (see adult incontinence product selection guide) |
How a reusable underpad is classified
In the NIH AccessGUDID record for one underpad (device identifier 00634916081404, checked 2026-11-03), the manufacturer lists the item as an “UNDERPAD” with GMDN 66117, whose definition describes a reusable device with no antimicrobial agent. The record shows “For Single-Use: No”, product code FMW (“Cover, Mattress (Medical Purposes)”), “Device Packaged as Sterile: No” and “Requires Sterilization Prior to Use: No”. The size appears only in the description text (33X36); the record lists no device sizes, so treat it as one example, not a size standard.
Under 21 CFR 880.6190 (checked 2026-11-03), a mattress cover for medical purposes is “a device intended for medical purposes that is used to protect a mattress”. It is Class I (general controls) and exempt from premarket notification, subject to the limitations in 880.9. If it is not labeled or represented as sterile, it is exempt from the quality system requirements of part 820 except records and complaint files (820.35). This describes how one listing is classified; a different product may carry different codes, so the product’s own labeling decides. See also waterproof mattress covers for incontinence.
Laundering reusable pads: what CDC says for healthcare facilities
The CDC guidance on laundry and bedding (checked 2026-11-03) is written for healthcare facilities, not for home use. It states:
- Contaminated textiles are placed into bags or other appropriate containment, and agitation is minimized.
- “A temperature of at least 160°F (71°C) for a minimum of 25 minutes is commonly recommended for hot-water washing.”
- “Low-temperature laundry cycles rely heavily on the presence of chlorine- or oxygen-activated bleach.” Chlorine bleach gives “an extra margin of safety”.
- Drying, and especially ironing, add further microbiocidal action.
- Clean textiles stored uncovered for short periods may be stored uncovered in a clean location for short periods.
CDC does not set a wash cycle for any particular pad. The wash cycle for a product is the one on the manufacturer care label.
What to verify before you buy
- The labeling states the product is reusable (compare the “For Single-Use” field and GMDN term in the product GUDID record, if one exists).
- The sterile status is stated (the example record says not sterile and no sterilization required).
- The product code and regulatory class come from the listing or its GUDID record.
- Written laundering or care instructions from the manufacturer are available, and your laundry process can follow them.
Common mistakes
- Treating a product name as proof of classification or reusability; the labeling and record decide.
- Applying the CDC facility cycle to a pad whose care label says otherwise.
- Agitating soiled textiles before they are bagged.
FAQ
Are reusable incontinence pads regulated by FDA?
The AccessGUDID example is listed under product code FMW, and 21 CFR 880.6190 classifies mattress covers for medical purposes as Class I and exempt from premarket notification. Other products may differ, so check the listing’s own labeling.
Can reusable pads be sterile?
The example record says it is not packaged as sterile and needs no sterilization before use. Sterile status for any other product comes from its labeling.
How are soiled reusable pads handled in a facility?
CDC describes bagging contaminated textiles, minimizing agitation, then hot-water washing at 160°F (71°C) for at least 25 minutes or a low-temperature cycle with chlorine or oxygen bleach, followed by drying.
Browse incontinence supplies.
Sources
- eCFR, 21 CFR 880.6190, Mattress cover for medical purposes (checked 2026-11-03): https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-H/part-880/subpart-G/section-880.6190
- NIH AccessGUDID, device 00634916081404 (checked 2026-11-03): https://accessgudid.nlm.nih.gov/devices/00634916081404
- CDC, Environmental Infection Control: Laundry and Bedding (checked 2026-11-03): https://www.cdc.gov/infection-control/hcp/environmental-control/laundry-bedding.html
