Urine-resistant (UR) sheepskin and wool products are made to survive contact with urine and frequent washing, while non-UR sheepskins can be permanently damaged by urine. That makes UR the right choice for anyone who is incontinent or may become so, and a non-UR lambskin a fine choice for comfort when incontinence isn't an issue. Both kinds share the same wool, which can absorb up to about 33 percent of its own weight in moisture before it feels wet. Down-Under Wool has supplied both since 1988; this comparison shows the differences side by side and helps you pick. For what the letters "UR" and "HiTemp" mean on a label, see what HiTemp UR means.
UR vs non-UR wool products at a glance
The difference is in how the product is made, not in the wool itself:
| Urine resistant (UR) | Non-urine resistant | |
|---|---|---|
| How it is made | Sheepskin tanned to resist urine (HiTemp UR), or Merino wool knitted into a washable backing | Sheepskin or lambskin tanned for softness and cool washing |
| Contact with urine | Not damaged; wash it clean | Urine and feces may permanently damage the leather |
| Washing | Machine wash in Woolskin; HiTemp UR sheepskins up to 80°C (176°F) | Cool or lukewarm only; hot water may shrink it |
| Dryer | Low heat until nearly dry (wool pads and HiTemp UR sheepskins) | Air drying is safest |
| Moisture absorption | Up to about a third of its weight | Same: this is a property of wool |
| Best for | Incontinent users, daily bed use, nursing homes | Continent users on a chair, sofa or recliner |
| Examples | M102C, M102, F103C, SC104XD | Healthcare Lambskin (M101), most decorative rugs |
Which should you choose: UR or non-UR?
Choose UR if there is any chance of bladder or bowel leakage; choose non-UR only for a continent person who wants comfort on a chair or sofa. In more detail:
- Incontinent, in bed most of the day: a HiTemp UR medical sheepskin such as the M102C, or a UR wool pad such as the Hospital Wool Fleece Bed Pad (F103C).
- Incontinent, in a wheelchair: the Pressure Smart XD1900 Cushion-It, which is not adversely affected by urine or feces.
- Shared between residents in a nursing home or hospital: HiTemp UR, because it can be washed hot to disinfect it.
- Washed very often: a UR wool pad, which can go in the dryer and is back in use sooner.
- Continent, sitting for comfort: a non-UR lambskin such as the M101, which is very soft and dense but must be washed cool.
If incontinence is new or may come later, buy UR now. A non-UR lambskin that gets soiled once may be ruined.
Why does urine resistance matter for the skin?
Urine resistance matters because skin that is often wet from urine is easily damaged, and damaged skin is more likely to develop a pressure sore. In a study of 5,342 hospital patients, skin damage from incontinence (incontinence-associated dermatitis) was linked to more than four times the odds of a pressure injury over the tailbone. The NHS also lists sweaty or broken skin among the things that raise the risk of pressure ulcers.
A UR wool product helps in two ways: the wool draws moisture away from the skin, so the person lies drier, and the product can be washed as often as it needs to be without wearing out. Our guide to bed sore prevention in incontinent patients covers the wider care routine, and our bed sores guide explains how pressure sores form.
Do UR products need a waterproof pad underneath?
Yes, we recommend a waterproof "blue pad" under any UR sheepskin or wool pad. Urine resistance protects the product from damage; it does not make it a waterproof barrier, so the pad protects the mattress. Small spills are a different matter: the pile is dense enough that they don't pass straight through, and they can usually be cleaned up with a damp cloth.
UR sheepskin or UR wool pad?
Both work for incontinence; the choice comes down to size, drying time and feel. A HiTemp UR sheepskin is a natural hide made to the AS4480.1 medical standard. A UR wool pad is Merino wool knitted into a backing, which can be made in larger sizes and dries faster.
| Product | Type | Size | Wool | Dryer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M102C | HiTemp UR sheepskin (AS4480.1) | 24" x 36" | 30 mm pile | air dry, leather side up |
| M102XD | UR Merino wool pad | 26" x 40" | 1,900 g per square meter | yes, low heat |
| F103C | UR Merino wool pad | 30" x 60" | 1,050 g per square meter | yes, low heat |
| SC104XD | UR Merino wool pad | 30" x 60" | more than 1,900 g per square meter, 30 mm pile | yes, low heat |
We compare the XD1900 pads with sheepskin in more depth in XD1900 wool pad vs medical sheepskin, and the full range is on our incontinence bedding page.
How can you tell if a sheepskin is urine resistant?
A urine-resistant medical sheepskin says so in the stamp on its leather back: look for "HITEMP UR" next to "AS 4480.1". Wool pads say "urine resistant" on the label or product description. If a sheepskin has no stamp and no washing instructions, assume it is not UR. For every other check before you buy, use our medical sheepskin buyer's checklist, and for the standard behind the stamp, AS4480.1 explained.
How do you clean urine from a wool product?
Blot it up quickly, then spot clean with a little Woolskin and water; wash the whole product if the smell stays. Woolskin was developed by the Australian tanning industry for sheepskin and wool, and it disinfects as it cleans. UR products can then go in the machine on a gentle or wool cycle; a HiTemp UR sheepskin can be washed as hot as 80°C (176°F). A non-UR lambskin should be washed in cool water, as soon as possible after the accident. Step by step: how to wash and care for your sheepskins.
Urine-resistant wool FAQs
Is sheepskin waterproof?
No. Sheepskin and wool absorb moisture rather than block it. Even a urine-resistant sheepskin is not waterproof, so put a waterproof pad between it and the mattress.
Does urine ruin sheepskin?
It can. Urine and feces may permanently damage the leather of a sheepskin that isn't urine resistant. A HiTemp UR sheepskin is tanned to withstand it and can be washed clean.
Are wool incontinence pads good?
Yes. Wool absorbs up to about a third of its weight in moisture before it feels wet, while synthetic fibers absorb very little, so wool keeps the skin drier; UR wool pads are also machine washable and can go in the dryer.
Can someone who is incontinent use a lambskin?
Only a urine-resistant one. We don't recommend the non-UR Healthcare Lambskin (M101) for incontinent users; choose a HiTemp UR medical sheepskin such as the M102 or M102C instead.
Do I still need to turn or reposition the person?
Yes. The NHS advises people at risk of pressure ulcers to change position regularly. A wool overlay reduces pressure, moisture and shear, but it works alongside the care plan from the nurse or doctor, not instead of it.
How often should a UR sheepskin be washed?
Wash it when it becomes smelly or soiled, and wipe up small spills with a damp cloth in between. Keeping two or three means one is always on the bed while another dries.
The short version
UR sheepskins and wool pads stand up to urine and frequent washing; non-UR sheepskins can be ruined by it. If incontinence is possible, choose UR: a HiTemp UR medical sheepskin for a natural hide made to AS4480.1, or a UR wool pad for larger sizes and faster drying, with a waterproof pad underneath either way. Save the softer non-UR lambskin for a continent person's chair. Questions? Contact us; we've answered them since 1988.
