Diaper pails are not cheap. The initial buying cost plus the cost of the refills makes them quite expensive. Although there are diaper pails that don’t need refills, as we reviewed in the previous article, the initial cost of buying one may still be quite high for some parents.
If you feel that getting one may leave a dent in your pocket, then you should consider other alternatives to diaper pails or genies out there.
Some examples of these alternatives include kitchen trash bags, regular trash cans, wet bags, and plastic shopping/grocery bags, among others. However, there are pros and cons of using these alternatives, which we shall discuss in this article.
Alternatives To Diaper Pail Or Genie
Let’s look at some of the ways you can utilize diaper genie alternatives you have at home.
Regular trash can
A regular trash can that you use in the kitchen or bathroom is okay. Seriously, it’s okay. However, it will work best for pee diapers since they do not stink too much.
For poopy diapers, you may have to wrap them in a plastic bag first before throwing them into the trash can. This will help to contain the stinky smell until you take the trash outside.
Our Pick
The Simplehuman Stainless Steel Trash Can comes highly recommended by moms who don’t want to spend a lot of cash on a diaper pail.
An appropriate place to put the trash can is in the garage or outside on the porch so that you don’t have to deal with the odor in the house.
Puppy poop pick-up bags
I know this may seem awkward at first, but dog poop bags actually work better than ordinary plastic bags. They are designed to collect dog poop, so they are great at containing the smell of poopy diapers.
Some are even scented, which is a plus for you since you will not have to deal with bad odor in the house. After putting the diaper in the bag, throw it into the garbage bin somewhere in the garage and empty it after a day.
Diaper disposable bags/sacks
To be honest, I did not know about these plastic diaper bags or sacks until I did a little search on the net. Apparently, you can get them at the grocery store in a pack of about 200 pieces.
Runner-up
Some like the Sassy Disposable Diaper Sacks come in a pack of 400 pieces. They have built-in ties to lock in wetness and odor and a fresh baby powder scent.
They are designed to contain wetness and odor so they can be carried in a diaper bag or put in the nursery.
They differ from wet bags in that they are not reusable. However, they have a scent that masks the smell of poopy diapers.
Wet bags
A wet bag is a simple reusable and waterproof bag that is used to store dirty cloth diapers. Environmentally conscious parents also use it to carry soiled disposable diapers while traveling so that they can dispose of them at home or when they come across a garbage bin.
The bag is leak-proof and zips shut, so you can put pee or poop diapers, especially at night. Its portability and the fact that you can reuse it make it a great diaper genie alternative.
Wet bags come in different designs and sizes. Some of the most popular ones are the Bumkin Waterproof Wet Bags, which are wipeable and machine washable.
Plastic grocery bags
These bags work great, too, and are very affordable. You can use the ones you have at home or purchase more if need be.
Once you wrap the diaper, throw it into the trash can and ensure it is well covered to prevent the smell from spreading in the house.
How to prevent diaper pail alternatives from stinking
The truth is, these alternatives may not contain the smell of poopy diapers as well as a diaper pail or genie. However, you can ensure that your house remains fresh by using the following products.
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Carbon filter
A carbon filter contains natural, safe activated carbon that absorbs and locks in bad odor from diapers. Once you purchase a carbon filter at the store, use it in the trash can to absorb the odor and keep your house smelling fresh.
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Baking soda
This is a must-have household product.
It has numerous functions, but the most common one is to eliminate bad smells around the house. Sprinkle a little at the bottom of the trash can every time you empty it.
The good thing about baking soda is that it absorbs the smell rather than masking it as air fresheners do. Also, it is natural and safe to use around the baby at home.
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Vinegar
Vinegar is also a household product that works great at eliminating odors at home. To use it, mix white vinegar with water and put it in a spray bottle. Whenever you empty the garbage can, spray the vinegar at the bottom before putting a can liner.
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Activated charcoal bags
You have to get these from the store, and they are very affordable. The bags come in a pack of 4 to 8 sachets that are reusable and long-lasting.
Activated charcoal works by absorbing the molecules that make up the bad odor from the diapers. You can put a sachet in the wet bag, plastic diaper bag, trash can, and grocery bags to absorb the odors.
Conclusion
Each of the aforementioned containers can serve as a suitable replacement for a diaper pail if you find yourself in need of one. The only potential downsides are that they could not be as odor-proof as diaper pails, and that daily emptying might be inconvenient. A carbon filter, activated charcoal bags, vinegar, and baking soda can help you maintain a pleasant aroma in your home.
Last update on 2023-03-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API