The cost of incontinence adds up fast
If you’re currently using disposable incontinence pads or adult nappies, you already know the feeling: the quiet anxiety of watching that pack run low, the monthly shop, the expense that never ends.
Most people accept this as the price of managing incontinence. But there’s a better way — and when you see the numbers side by side, the switch to washable products becomes very obvious.
What does disposable really cost over a year?
Let’s say you use 3 disposable incontinence pads per day. At a conservative cost of around R15–R25 per pad, that’s between R45 and R75 every single day. Over a month, you’re spending R1,350 to R2,250. Over a year, that’s between R16,200 and R27,000.
And that doesn’t include the occasional linen change, the extra washing, or the sheer volume of plastic waste piling up in your bin every week.
What does a Dignity4You washable solution cost?
A Dignity4You ladies’ washable incontinence panty starts at a fraction of the annual cost of disposables. Each product is washable up to 200 times and can be tumble dried at full heat — so the same pair you buy today could still be serving you reliably a year or two from now.
The recommendation is to start with a minimum of three products — enough to wear one, wash one, and have one drying. That starter set, compared against the R16,000+ you’d spend on disposables, represents a dramatic saving from the very first month.
Dignity4You is 3 to 6 times cheaper than disposable products over the lifetime of each item. That’s not marketing — it’s simple maths.
The NAPPI code advantage
Here’s something many South Africans don’t know: Dignity4You products carry medical aid NAPPI codes. This means your medical aid scheme may reimburse you for your purchase — reducing your out-of-pocket cost even further.
Every Dignity4You invoice includes the relevant NAPPI code. You submit it to your medical aid exactly as you would any other approved medical expense. It’s worth checking your plan’s chronic or aids supplement benefits — incontinence products are a legitimate medical expense that many schemes cover.
The environmental maths
This isn’t just about money. Every disposable incontinence product takes hundreds of years to break down in landfill. A single Dignity4You product used 200 times replaces 200 disposables. That’s 200 fewer items in your dustbin, 200 fewer items in a landfill somewhere.
Approximately 1.1 million tonnes of disposable nappies and incontinence products fill up South African and global waste streams every year. Choosing reusable isn’t a small decision — it genuinely matters.
What about quality and comfort?
This is the question we hear most. People assume washable means bulky, uncomfortable, or unreliable. That’s simply not the case with Dignity4You.
Every product is made from 100% cotton — soft, breathable, and gentle on skin. The ladies’ panty has a built-in multi-layer cotton absorption pad and a waterproof layer. It absorbs up to 150ml. It’s slim enough to wear under everyday clothing without anyone knowing. The flannelette adult nappy absorbs up to 400ml — 700ml when worn with a booster pad.
All Dignity4You products are manufactured in South Africa, compliant with ISO13485:2016 (the international standard for medical device quality management), and approved for medical aid reimbursement.
Making the switch
The switch doesn’t have to be all-at-once. Start with three products and see how they work for your lifestyle. Most customers find the transition straightforward — and many tell us they wish they’d made the change sooner.
Visit dignity4you.com to browse the full range. If you need help choosing the right product for your level of incontinence, our product selector guide is a great place to start — or email us directly and we’ll point you in the right direction.
Frequently asked questions
Q: How many Dignity4You products do I need to buy?
A: Start with a minimum of three — this gives you one to wear, one to wash, and one drying. If you currently use more than one disposable product per day, order two more washable products than that daily number to account for washing and drying time.
Q: How do I submit a NAPPI code claim to my medical aid?
A: Your Dignity4You invoice includes the NAPPI code for each product. Submit this to your medical aid along with your proof of purchase, the same way you’d claim any other approved medical expense. Check your scheme’s chronic illness or aids supplement benefit schedule to confirm coverage.
Q: What is the cost comparison for old age homes or care facilities?
A: For facilities using large volumes of disposable products, the saving is even more significant. Disposable incontinence waste is often classified as medical waste in care homes, meaning disposal costs are higher. Dignity4You products substantially reduce this waste and the associated costs. Email admin@dignity4you.com for bulk pricing.