A diaper pail is a must have if you have little ones. Not pleasant, but it comes with the territory.
I have 4 kids and up until recently (and our potty training adventure) had 2 in diapers. Now we have 1 in diapers full time and 2 at night. We need something that’s efficient but cheap. I’ve tried at least 3 different types of diaper pails over the years and the simple diaper pail we use now is my favorite.
It’s a simple flip-open-lid-with-a-foot-pedal trash can that uses regular trash bags. I bought it from Lowes a few years ago for about $10.
But the big question I know you are all waiting for – Does it keep in the smell?
Yes, it does. Maybe not as well as the individually-wrapped-and-sealed diaper pail, but it works pretty well for something so simple. We keep it in our bathroom by the sink and barely notice it. You can use baking soda sprinkled in the bottom or the little deodorizing discs on the inside of the pail to help too. I won’t say it’s smell-proof; there are definitely times when we open the pail and get a whiff, but overall it does the job.
Now if you have a two year old who decides to open and shut the lid repeated times on the afternoon before trash day, that’s a different story!
This works for cloth diapering too; we used this same method when I cloth diapered a couple years ago. Instead of trash bags, purchase a large pail liner such as this Pail Liner. I always kept two on hand that way I had an extra while one was in the wash.
Nicole (Mama to 4 Blessings) says
I use the same thing for our cloth diaper pail! I do not use liners though.
Erika says
Isn’t simple great?
melissa says
I will have to look into this diaper pail. Thank you very much:)
Heather McD says
That’s similar to what we do. Great post!
Kathryn Costa says
Great idea. I had one of those fancy Playtex diaper genie things when my children were in diapers and honestly it didn’t work. It would smell to high heaven. This is a great idea!
Devon says
Great Idea!!!! I am all about saving money. We have a diaper champ that we use for our cloth diapers. This would have worked just the same and would probably hold more.
Erika says
We had a diaper champ before switching to this. I honestly don’t think there was any difference in smell.
Kelley Johnsen says
Wish I had it when the kids where in diapers!
Marry says
I enjoyed the tips you are providing on your frugal living can make life easier by providing long term living for doing something one time.Thanks for the the information……
David says
Brilliant. We were gifted a diaper pail so I had to come up with a cheaper bag option (http://theunpreparedfather.com/diaper-pail-money-saver/), but your way is ultimately cheaper because you can use the can for other things. Like garbage 🙂
Dave
Erika says
Thanks, David. Your method is awesome too! I never could understand spending so much money for those type of diaper pail trash bags that will end up in the trash! Great post!
Compare Diaper Prices says
You can also put some charcoal inside to absorb the bad smell. 🙂
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Erika says
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Rhonda Furia says
HI, I CAN’T FIND THE PLACE WHERE I CAN GET A FREE NEST THERMOSTAT..WOULD YOU PLEASE HELP ME?
THANK YOU, RHONDA FURIA