A study was carried out of the microbial content of three types of incontinence underpads and a clinical absorbent protection pad. Coagulase-negative staphylococci and Bacillus spp. were isolated from unused samples of all makes of pad examined. Clostridium spp., including C. tetani and C. perfringens, were isolated from a proportion of pads containing re-cycled waste material. We recommend that incontinence underpads are used solely for the purpose for which they were marketed, namely, the containment of excreta.