Here’s How to Prevent Incontinence Odours In Just 5 Steps
For those with incontinence, anxieties over unwanted odours aren’t uncommon. These are our 5 tips for how to prevent and eliminate them if they do occur.
Many people experience shared anxiety that others can smell an unpleasant bodily odour on them. This could be sweat on the body, or bad breath, for example.
For those living with incontinence, though, these concerns can be even further heightened and may have a negative impact on both their social and mental health [1].
We understand those concerns, but want to reiterate that there are ways to not only eliminate incontinence odours, but actually prevent them in the first place.
Keep reading to find out how to prevent incontinence odours in just 5 steps.
1. Stay Hydrated
There are a lot of benefits to staying hydrated and drinking plenty of water during the day, but did you know it can also reduce the scent of urine?
When dehydrated, urine becomes more concentrated and therefore has more of an odour. Drinking the recommended 1.5 - 2L of water per day (for adults) not only keeps you hydrated but dilutes your urine and reduces odour.
Drinking enough water also has the added benefit of assisting in the prevention of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and constipation - both of which can exacerbate incontinence symptoms.
You can tell if you’re hydrated enough by the colour of your urine - a light yellow colour is a good sign you’re well hydrated, while a darker yellow colour can be a sign you need to drink some more.
2. Dispose of Incontinence Products Correctly
Ensuring you’re disposing of your incontinence products correctly is a great way to minimise any odours hanging around in the home.
If you have faecal incontinence, it’s important to remove any stool in your pull-up pants or slip into the toilet before disposal. After this, wrap the used product up and place it into a plastic or zip lock bag before placing it in the bin to further help contain any odours.
You can do the same wrapping and placing into a plastic bag for used urinary incontinence products, too.
While it may seem tempting to flush the product down the toilet for immediate disposal so you don’t have to place it in the bin, doing this is not recommended as it can cause plumbing blockages.
3. Choose Quality Incontinence Aids & Change Them Regularly
Choosing a product that is appropriate for your needs is essential in managing incontinence. Ensuring that you invest in a high-quality option with an active odour neutraliser will be extremely helpful in eliminating smells.
Some incontinence products either aren’t fitted with odour control or only rely on odour masking (where the product is fragranced as a way to ‘cover’ unpleasant smells). Both approaches are not very effective.
This is why it’s important to choose a product that is equipped with active odour-neutralising material, like all of the products in our Dailee range that feature crystals made of super absorbent polymers that are treated with an odour locking material to neutralises odours for up to 12 hours.
It’s equally as important to ensure you change your incontinence aids once they’re wet or soiled, which not only benefits you by reducing odours but also by reducing the risk of skin irritation or incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD).
At every change, be sure to clean and dry your skin - if you’re out of the house, you can opt for using a body wipe for a quick refresh while on the go.
4. Wash Soiled Items Quickly
Sometimes accidents happen, and if you get stool or urine onto your clothing, bedding or furniture, it’s important to wash it as soon as possible.
Leaving it for some time before cleaning can not only make stains harder to remove, but it means any odours may linger for longer as well.
Adding some white vinegar and/or baking soda to warm water and allowing the fabric to soak for an hour before washing is a great option to help neutralise any odours.
If you’re unable to put a soiled item in the wash (like a sofa or chair, for example), try blotting the area to absorb as much of the liquid as you can before applying a cleaner. You can try using white vinegar here too as a natural option to neutralise odours.
You can also find cleaners with added enzymes that are very effective at removing odour-causing compounds in bodily fluids like faeces and urine, as they’re able to effectively break down the proteins within them.
While cleaning urine out of a mattress may seem more daunting than other fabrics like clothing or bedding, we’ve got an easy how-to guide that you can read here.
5. Use Furniture Protectors
Using waterproof furniture protectors is a great option to prevent any leaks from getting onto your furniture and therefore any unwanted odours! These products really can save you time and money on clean-up.
Here at ConfidenceClub, we have both disposable and washable options that help make your living space incontinence-friendly.
Our washable options feature an advanced four-layer design, with a super soft, cushion-like outer and both waterproof, absorbent inner layers. They’re machine washable for up to 300 times and safe to tumble-dry (at low temperatures), so they’re super convenient to clean. Available in a range of different colourways, you’re sure to find an option that’s best suited to your space.
Our disposable protectors are extremely durable yet silky soft due to their cotton-like top sheet. They quickly draw fluid away from the surface and trap it in its core, while the waterproof back sheet keeps your furniture safe from any leaks.
They’re convenient and easy to use, as they simply need to be thrown away once wet or soiled.
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About the Author: Celina Irwin
Having begun her career as a journalist, Gabriella has been weaving words to create engaging and educational content for over a decade. Gabriella loves to write insightful pieces that empower readers to take control of their health and wellbeing so they can live their lives to the fullest. Along with crafting articles, Gabriella has an eye for design, producing and overseeing visual content from short-form Instagram reels and TikToks to long-form brand campaigns and video series.