Are rubber bed sheets better than vinyl bed sheets?

To answer the question whether rubber sheets are better than vinyl, the answer is a most emphatic yes, but there are two basic types of rubber sheet, supported and unsupported. The former is the traditional mackintosh sheet made of rubberised cloth, either red or white in colour, while the latter is made of pure rubber with no cloth in it at all. Rubber tears easily and needs to be thicker than 0.5mm, preferably 0.8mm which makes it heavy and expensive; hence the commercial popularity of mackintoshes. At the same time this thicker sheeting resists creasing.

By the way, always roll up and never fold either types in storage, and remember, PVC is also ruinous to rubber so don't let rubber come into contact with PVC.

Mackintosh and vinyl do not stretch so they are both hard to lie on, causing pressure points, and they make a noise with body movement. Pure rubber stretches and conforms to body contour. Furthermore it makes no noise with movement and is very comfortable to lie on. Providing a rubber sheet is cared for correctly it will give many years of service so the initial cost is paid for in time. Never leave them exposed to light and air, particularly sun light which is ruinous, and take care not to let any oils or greasy substances come in contact with them, including sweat. Wash these off and wipe dry, do not hang out to dry. Over time rubber dries out and gets stiffer, so if necessary wash them three or four times a year and treat with a silicon preservative such as ArmorAll that makes them soft and slippery. Make sure the sheet is long enough to tuck in well under the mattress. Mine is long enough to be tucked lengthwise under the mattress, and being 1m wide hangs over each side of the bed for complete protection.

Where these rubber sheets can be obtained now is a good question. Search the internet under rubber companies. Mine is a red/brown in the traditional colour and was bought in 1983.

Slipperiness on a waterproof surface is always a problem with whatever covers it. This is particularly so when the head of the bed is raised. It may be unconventional but having the patient lie directly on a pure rubber sheet as descibed above solves the problem and gives the patient maximum movement in bed without wrinkling the under sheet. It also makes the patient less likely to slide off the bed. It also makes it much easier for the nurse to wipe clean the rubber sheet than changing drawsheets.

The torso of the patient particularly around the shoulders, hips and buttocks must be well covered so it does not come in contact with the rubber and stick by condensation.

limbs are not so important as they move more freely.

The optimum room temperature when lying on rubber is 20-22 deg.C. Above that a fan is needed and below that adequate covering for warmth. Limb covering may be needed for temperatures below 16 deg.C.

If the same type of rubber sheet extends to cover the pillows, down filled pillows will be found advantageous and very comfortable.