Washable pee pads? I tried them & the results were surprising

Stylish and pet pee pad aren’t usually synonymous, but that description couldn’t be more true about PUPIBOO washable pee pads. They come in various patterns that could easily be mistaken for a decorative rug, blending in well with existing decor. And because they’re machine washable, you can stop shelling out money on single-use plastic pads that are wasteful, too. But do these pee pads actually absorb liquids and protect the surface below? I set out to find the answer.

Fast facts

• Functional: Features multiple layers (including a waterproof one) to absorb pet messes
• Reusable: Can be cleaned in the washing machine
• Cost-effective: Less than $30 for two pads — they pay for themselves after roughly 15 uses each
• Certified: Received the OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certification for being free of many questionable chemicals
• Stylish: Available in six patterns (and five sizes)

Initial thoughts

The PUPIBOO washable pee pads feel and look similar to a machine-washable rug: They are relatively thin and soft, and look much nicer than their single-use counterparts. Dots on the bottom are very grippy; I put one of the pads on the floor and tried to slide it around with my foot, but it didn’t budge.

How It Went

The pee pads I tested were 36 by 36 inches, although there are smaller and larger sizes available.

A healthy 20-pound adult dog produces about six to 12 ounces of urine over a 24-hour period, while a 45-pound adult dog makes anywhere from 14 to 28 ounces per day, according to PetMD. With this in mind, I tested to see if I could meet (or exceed) that upper limit. Because my dog is potty trained, I tested using water.

• I placed one of the pads on the ground and poured six ounces into the center. The liquid absorbed (it was damp to the touch, but no water beaded on the surface) and my wood floors underneath stayed dry.
• I waited another 10 minutes, then poured on another six ounces (a possible scenario if you have multiple pets) and had the same results.
• After 30 more minutes, I poured on another six ounces. My floor remained dry, even though water was starting to pool on the top of the pad — I was at 18 ounces at this point (well above the upper limit for a 20-pound dog).
• I wanted to find the point at which the pee pad would leak onto my floor. I poured 16 ounces onto it — no leak. Then I added 16 more ounces — nothing.
• I added another 16 ounces — making it 66 ounces in total. At this point, the mat had a sizable pool of water sitting on top and the excess finally started to drip off the sides (although the center remained dry beneath the mat).

The total ounces to get to the point that liquid started to run off the sides was 66 ounces — well above what your average 45-pound dog would need to keep your floors dry — and this was the second smallest size the brand makes.

Washability

I machine washed the pad with detergent on a normal cycle. Post-wash, it was in perfect shape — there was no damage (even on the grippy underside), nor any fading. The directions say to line dry the pad, which took around five hours.

Final verdict

If I had to potty train another pet, I’d make the swap to PUPIBOO washable pee pads in a heartbeat. They look nice, are highly absorbent (and don’t leak), and can be washed and used again, saving money in the long run (especially considering that similarly sized, single-use pee pads cost around $1 each).

What Amazon reviewers are saying

I’m not the only one impressed by these. Pet parents on Amazon gave PUPIBOO washable pee pads a 4.6-star overall rating after over 800 reviews. Here’s what they say:

• “Huge money saver! [...] Not only are they beautiful and look like an area rug but they are super absorbent. I am doing away with my regular puppy pads and sticking with these. I’ve already saved so much money because they are reusable and now I have something pretty to look at on my floor as opposed to a regular ugly pee pads for dogs,” wrote one commenter.
• “No more shredded disposable pads. Plus, not only will these washable pads help reduce waste, they are also stylish enough that guests think they are just a little rug,” noted one reviewer.
• “I bought these to put on the couch where my older dogs sit, and they do a great job of protecting the furniture while looking like fancy throw blankets. They hold up well to repeated washing and well made. Definitely recommended,” wrote one fan.