Wondering where to store your dirty cloth diapers before washing them? They need to be cleaned within a day or two, but finding the right storage solution is key. Here are some simple, no-nonsense cloth diaper pail ideas to keep things organized and odor-free.
If you’ve heard about wet vs dry bags for dirty cloth diapers – forget it! There’s no need to dump dirty nappies into a bag or pail filled with water. Not with modern-day washing machines.
When you remove a wet diaper from your baby, you’ll drop it unto a diaper pail.
Trash Can with Lid
If you have an old trash can lying around, consider repurposing it as your cloth diaper pail. Choose one with a tight-fitting lid to keep odors contained. You can line it with a washable pail liner for easy cleaning, and even decorate it with cute decals to match your nursery.
The key to a good diaper pail is a flip or swing top lid.
Remember, you’ll have one hand on baby, and another hand to drop your dirty diaper into your pail.
Since your diapers are going into the washing machine, not the trash, I recommend using a reusable (washable) pail liner. Most liners have elastic tops that easily secure to your trash can, and you can toss them into the wash right along with your cloth diapers. For convenience, check out this liner to get started!
What about the poop?
You don’t want to simply throw solid waste into your cloth diaper pail. It should be flushed down your toilet. However, when changing a diaper you can’t abandon your baby on the changing table to dispose of poo.
You’ll need a poop bucket.
I picked up a few small buckets at my local Dollar Tree for a simple, cost-effective solution. After changing a soiled diaper, I drop it into the bucket, where it serves as a temporary holding station until I can quickly secure a clean diaper on my baby and get her to a safe spot.
Once baby is re-diapered and settled, I carry the poop bucket to the bathroom, dump the solids, and return the diaper to the diaper pail with the rest of the dirty ones.
If needed, you can wash out your poop bucket in the bathtub before returning it to its spot next to the changing table, ready for the next use.
Hanging Diaper Pail
If you’re short on floor space, a hanging wet bag might be the perfect solution. These pails often feature a hook-and-loop closure and can be hung from a closet rod or changing station. They’re portable, breathable, and easy to store when not in use.
Each of these ideas will help you keep your dirty cloth diapers organized, accessible, and fresh between washes. Whether you prefer a minimalist approach or a more decorative solution, there’s a pail setup to fit your needs.
You can buy sprays designed to minimize odors in your dirty diapers, but I bought two bottles four years ago and have probably used them only once.
The key is to wash your diapers every day or two (as you should), and you won’t have any issues with odors. In fact, we’ve had fewer smelly diaper pail problems since switching to cloth. With disposable diapers, our trash can would fill up and sit for a full week, leading to a battle of wills before either my husband or I finally broke down and emptied the trash.
With my cloth diaper pail, I’m committed to taking care of my investment. I diligently empty the pail and wash our diaper stash regularly, keeping things fresh and odor-free.
