What are Chux Disposable Incontinence Underpads?

What are Chux?

Chux are an older brand of disposable underpads that aren't sold anymore.  Many people think they were called "Chux" or "Chucks" because you chuck them away when they are soiled. My Grandmother, who was a nurse during WWII, swore that "Chux" were originally made by nurses who were trying to cut down on laundry. They would place newspaper or other bulk paper inside of pillowcases and use them to keep the mattress and sheets clean under patients who were incontinent. She told me that they called them "chux" and they would be stripped from the bed and the paper inside would be thrown away when wet. She said that the pillowcase stuffed with newspaper saved time since the bed sheets and mattresses would be dry so they would only have to launder the small pillowcase and not the entire bedding set.

What are Disposable Underpads?

Modern disposable underpads are still called "chux" even when they are really called Medline Protection Plus, much like a tissue is called Kleenex even when it is made by another company. Disposable underpads are made by a lot of different companies, such as Tena, Tranquility, and Covidien. They come in a variety of sizes and colors. Over the years technology has improved and modern disposable underpads are much better than in the past. A lot of disposable pads now use a polymer core to make them even more absorbent. The materials today are highly absorbent and pull moisture and wetness away from the surface of the skin. Basically, disposable underpads today help keep the area under the pad clean and dry but they also keep the skin healthy and dry as well. This is important because of skin breakdown. Skin that is in contact with urine, feces, or blood can break down and cause problems. Rashes, irritated skin, pressure sores, all can be helped by keeping the skin clean and dry. Incontinence is a problem for all ages of people and needs to be tended to avoid skin problems. Disposable underpads save your sheets and mattress but they can also help your skin stay healthy as well.

When are Disposable Underpads Useful?

You can use disposable underpads in the same way hospitals and nursing homes have used them for years or you can get creative and use them to solve a lot of household issues. They absorb liquid and with a waterproof backing, they keep the area under the pad clean and dry. They are perfect for using under a person who needs help with incontinence. They can be used to protect bedding or to protect chairs and furniture. If you are using catheters, an underpad is a great way to give yourself a clean surface to place your catheter insertion supplies. When you are using underpads in bed it can help to tape down the pad if the person using the pad tends to move a lot in their sleep. This will help the pad stay in place and avoid it bunching up and becoming less effective and uncomfortable. You can buy disposable underpads at local stores or you can purchase them online from an online medical supply company that offers discreet shipping right to your door.

Underpads also help with craft time. You can use them under painting projects to protect surfaces and absorb potential spills. They can be used to protect counters, tables, or any surface that needs to stay dry while you are using messy materials. Many people use disposable underpads to house train their young pets since the standard underpads are sometimes less expensive than the ones labeled specifically for pets. Disposable underpads are highly versatile and since they simply need to be thrown away when soiled, they are extremely easy to use.

Available options in disposable underpads: adhesive tabs, odor control, air flow for low air loss therapy beds

Chair Size: smaller areas of needed protection like chairs, wheelchairs, automobiles
17" x 24"
Midsize: larger chairs, couches, automobile backseats, surfaces during crafting projects
23" x 24"
30" x 30"
Bed Size: full bed protection, allows you to turn in bed and remain protected from leaks
23" x 36"
30" x 36"
36" x 36"