Choosing the right protection in 2026 means weighing up disposable products (£210 to £760 per year, often irritating and wasteful) versus washable underwear (around £85 for 2–3 years, comfortable and more eco-friendly). In this guide, you will learn how to assess your real needs, understand the different types of protection available, and why 90% of women who try washable options never go back to disposables. You will also find a detailed comparison with 2-year cost calculations and clear advice for choosing your first washable incontinence underwear based on your flow.
You are standing in the urinary protection aisle at the supermarket, unsure what to choose. There are dozens of options: panty liners, pads, nappies… and prices are all over the place. Some cost £0.15, others £1.50. How do you know what will really work for you?
Or maybe you are tired of throwing away a protection every day, spending around £20 per month, and feeling plastic against your skin. You are wondering if there is something better. Yes, there is.
In 2026, real alternatives to disposable protection finally exist: comfortable, discreet, affordable, and more eco-friendly solutions. In this guide, we break everything down so you can make the best choice for your situation.
Female urinary leak protection: assess your real needs
Before grabbing the first product you see, take two minutes to answer these questions. It will change everything.
How much do you leak?
If you lose just a few drops (less than 20 ml, roughly one tablespoon), you have light leaks. A panty liner or light-absorbency underwear is enough.
If you lose about a small cup (between 20 and 100 ml), you have moderate leaks. You need medium absorbency.
If you lose the equivalent of a full glass of water or more (100 to 300 ml), you have heavy leaks. You need high-capacity protection.
Not sure? No worries. Many women overestimate their leaks at first. A simple test: use a measuring jug once to get an estimate, or ask your GP, nurse, or midwife to help you evaluate.
When do your leaks occur?
Only during the day? Standard daytime protection is enough. Mostly at night? You need night protection with higher absorbency and wider coverage. Both day and night? You may need different options for different moments.
How often?
Once or twice a week, occasionally? Disposable protection may be fine now and then, with no need to invest. Every day or almost every day? Switching to washable protection can genuinely change your life and your budget. The numbers speak for themselves: daily disposables can cost roughly £255 to £760 per year. Washable protection is typically around £85 every 2–3 years.
What is your lifestyle?
Active and sporty? You need something that moves with you and stays discreet under leggings. Busy social life? Discretion and odour control are priorities. Long hours sitting at a desk? All-day comfort is essential.
Once you answer these questions, you have already eliminated 80% of the options that are not right for you.
Female incontinence protection: the available types
Disposable protection
Panty liners for light urinary leaks
Absorbency: up to 20 ml. Only suitable for occasional drops.
Pros: thin, discreet, easy to find.
Cons: low absorbency, frequent changes, plastic and chemicals that can irritate skin, expensive over time.
Average price: £0.12 to £0.25 per unit. One per day equals around £44 to £91 per year. Over five years, that is roughly £220 to £455 spent and thrown away.
Incontinence pads (reinforced)
Absorbency: 20 to 100 ml. A step above panty liners.
Pros: decent absorbency, easy to find.
Cons: can feel bulky under tight clothing, can shift, and odour control can be difficult.
Average price: £0.25 to £0.40 per unit. Daily use costs around £91 to £146 per year, or £455 to £730 over five years.
Adult nappies
Absorbency: 100 to 800 ml. Designed for heavy leaks.
Pros: very absorbent, reassuring.
Cons: bulky and uncomfortable, stigmatising appearance, high long-term cost, and can be noisy under clothing.
Average price: £0.70 to £1.30 per unit. Daily use costs around £255 to £475 per year, or £1,275 to £2,375 over five years.
Common issues with disposable protection
Plastic against the skin can create a “greenhouse” effect, which may contribute to irritation, thrush, and odour. Super-absorbent polymers (SAP) can trigger sensitivity in some people. Environmental impact is significant: over 10 years, one woman can use thousands of disposable products, which can take centuries to break down.
Washable incontinence underwear: the real revolution
This modern option can genuinely change everything: underwear that looks normal, with built-in absorbency, machine washable and reusable for 2 to 3 years.
How is it made?
Several layered components: an outer layer of soft fabric (often bamboo fibre), absorbent inner layers (3 to 7 depending on absorbency level), an ultra-thin waterproof yet breathable layer to prevent leaks, and a skin-contact layer designed for comfort and freshness.
Available absorbency levels
Light flow: 50 to 100 ml, usually 3–4 layers. Moderate flow: 100 to 200 ml with 5–6 layers. Heavy flow: 200 to 300 ml with 7 layers, ideal for heavy leaks or overnight use.
Real everyday benefits
Total discretion: looks just like normal underwear.
Superior comfort: bamboo fibres are soft and breathable, unlike plastic.
Odour control: bamboo naturally helps reduce bacterial growth.
Cost-effective: the initial investment (around £50 to £130) can pay for itself in a few months for daily users.
More eco-friendly: no daily waste.
Durable: 2–3 years of use, sometimes longer with good care.
Stylish: modern designs, lace details, flattering cuts.
Honest drawbacks
The upfront cost may feel high (around £50 to £130). They need washing, but it is simple: quick rinse if needed and machine wash with your normal laundry. Air-drying can take 4 to 6 hours, so having multiple pairs is recommended.
The 2-year cost comparison that changes everything
Daily disposables: roughly £255 to £475 per year × 2 = £510 to £950.
Washable Orykas underwear: around 5–7 pairs for £85 to £130 lasting 2–3 years, or roughly £40 to £65 per year.
Savings over 2 years: typically £350 to £850, depending on your leak level and how often you use protection.
Best female urinary leak protection: detailed comparison
Absorbency: disposables range from 50 to 400 ml (depending on the product). Orykas washable underwear ranges from 50 to 300 ml.
Comfort: disposables often score lower due to plastic, heat, and irritation. Washable underwear typically scores higher thanks to breathable bamboo fibre.
Discretion: disposables can be visible under clothing or noisy. Washable underwear is designed to look and feel like everyday underwear, including under leggings.
Odour control: disposables can trap heat and moisture. Washable bamboo-based underwear helps reduce odour thanks to naturally antibacterial properties.
Annual cost: disposables can range roughly from £210 to £760. Washables average far less once amortised (often around £40 to £65 per year).
Eco impact: disposables create ongoing waste. Washables reduce waste significantly over time.
Durability: disposable is single-use. Washable typically lasts 2–3 years.
Convenience: disposables are convenient for travel and occasional use. Washables require washing, but many women find the comfort and savings well worth it.
Conclusion
In 2026, choosing female incontinence protection should no longer be complicated or involve compromise. Washable underwear has transformed the market and outperforms disposable options on nearly every level.
For many women, washable underwear is the best choice: more comfortable, more discreet, more economical, more eco-friendly, more stylish, and kinder to skin.
Discover the Orykas ultra-absorbent underwear for women and join thousands of women who have already made the switch. Your comfort, your budget, and the planet will thank you.
Share:
How to stop urinary leaks in women: complete solutions