Why We Choose Not to Use a Diaper Pail {and how we cope}

For many parents, diaper pails are just the thing. We used one for our oldest child. But when the triplets came along, a diaper pail didn’t seem like a good idea for a number of reasons. In the beginning, we were changing almost thirty diapers a day. This would have filled up a diaper pail fast, and would have equaled more work in changing the diaper pail insert and more money in purchasing the diaper pail inserts. My husband suggested that we use our regular trash can in the kitchen. I was hesitant at first. In addition to food and all the other things that we through in our kitchen trash can, now we were going to throw wet and stinky diapers in there, too? This sounded like a recipe for disaster!

Three and a half years after his suggestion, we are now entering the potty training phase. Our kitchen trash can has been our main household trash can for food, diapers, and all things gross. Yet we’ve never had anyone mention diaper smell in our kitchen or anywhere else in our home! Sound impossible? Here’s how we’ve coped with using our kitchen trash can as our diaper disposal for the past few years.

First, we use a trash bag with an odor neutralizer. Hefty Ultra Strong bags are an outstanding quality and have awesome scents. The Citrus Twist and Lavendar and Sweet Vanilla are my favorites for keeping odor at bay. Hefty Ultra Strong bags also have an active tear resistant technology for better puncture resistance (because stinky diapers falling out into the kitchen floor are no fun for anyone!). We use these bags everyday! Kitchen Savings Tip #1: Use Hefty Ultra Strong bags for a quality bag at a value price!

Love coupons? One of my favorite apps is Ibotta! Grab $1.00 cash back via Ibotta after purchasing one box of Hefty trash bags. Stack this with $1.00 off one box of Hefty bags at Coupons.com for an awesome deal! Pick up Hefty Ultra Strong Bags at Walmart and Target stores. 

Secondly, we have a trash can with a lid on it. This keeps odor sealed inside the trash can. We also keep the trash can in a closet. With the trash can and the closet door closed, odor is trapped!

Third, for stinky diapers, we wrap them and tie them up before tossing them in the trash can. Kitchen Saving Tip #2: Use plastic grocery store bags for this to save money!

Lastly, we make a point to not over stuff the trash can. This causes the lid to bulge and pushes the trash bag past its hold capacity. Then the trash spills out or the bag breaks, and I spend more time, effort, and money on putting spilled trash in a new bag. Kitchen Savings Tip #3: Fill the bag to capacity and then change out the bag.

Whether or not you have little ones, kitchen trash odor is an issue that everyone faces. How do you combat odor in the kitchen?

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.