Top 10 Ways to Reduce Diaper Pail Smells

Can you make your diaper pail smell less?

Well, the answer is yes!

For new parents, one of the first major hurdles to tackle is dealing with a new baby's diapers—particularly, their foul aroma!

One of the best ways to deal with diaper stink is to invest in a diaper pail.   It is basically a covered trash bin and small enough that it needs emptying every one or two days.

However, those diaper pails can get really smelly.

With a diaper pail hacks, you can reduce that dirty diaper smell and keep your home smelling fresh and light.

But first lets quickly address factors that lead up to this problem. 

What Causes the Funky Diaper Smell?

There are a few factors that cause the diaper smells besides the obvious one being your baby's bottom.

For one, people who use cloth diapers may struggle to reduce stenches if they live in an area with hard water.  Hard water contains excess ingredients that reduce the effectiveness of detergent when washing the diapers.

Similarly, the buildup of detergent deposits, bacteria, or other day-to-day debris can lead to an increase in bad aroma when it comes to diapers.

Also, a pail that's only half-way full could still be building up a steady base of residues from ammonia, bacteria and waste. That's why it can be so tough to minimize the odors—and why it's so important to regularly maintain a clean diaper pail.  

Learn how to get your diaper pail to contain the smelly stenches for a fresh and clean-smelling home.

How Do You Reduce Foul Diaper Pail Smell?

1) Take out the garbage as frequently as possible.

This might seem like a no-brainer, but emptying your diaper pail as often, will cut down on offensive smells.

Most diaper pails are specifically designed to be small for this reason.  It forces parents to empty the pail when it gets full.

However, getting ahead of the curve is the best way to keep those stinky smells in check.

2) Perform a deep-clean of the pail at least once a month.

Diaper pails require a little more attention than regular trash cans because of the dirty diapers.

The best way is to fully empty the pail and spray down the inside walls and lid with a heavy-duty cleanser.    Also, scrub any built-on stains.   

And finally,  wipe down everything with baby wipes or antibacterial wipes.   

Rinse and repeat as required (pun intended).
 
3) Use bamboo charcoal air purifying bags inside the pail.

Bamboo charcoal is great for adsorption and removing odor from the pail without leaving a perfume smell behind.  

Since it is all natural, the charcoal does not have harmful chemicals.

Simply, place one bag inside the pail or tape it to the inside of the lid.   

The great thing about these deodorizers is that they are reusable for up to two years. To rejuvenate and re-activate place the bags outside in the sun once a month for about an hour.

4) Dump the solid doo-doo waste as best as possible.

Tip out the dirty diaper contents and flush as much as you can before you dump the  diapers in a pail,.

This helps reduce the amount of waste sitting int the pail and thus cutting down on the amount of foul scent buildup as well.

5) Line the bottom with kitty litter.

Cat litter is designed to fight the odors associated with kitty waste—particularly ammonia, one of the strongest smells that can come from your baby's diaper.

Sprinkle a half-cup of cat litter in the base of your diaper pail.   It will help deodorize the worst diaper smells.

Ensure to line the bottom with cardboard or paper towel for simple clean up.

Alternatively, put the kitty litter in an old sock, tie it off, and secure it to the lid of your diaper pail. That will help cut down on smells and reduce your cleanup!

6)  Add a sprinkle of baking soda.

Baking soda, like the bamboo bags, also a natural deodorizer.

7) Invest in a good quality disinfectant spray.

Spray the inside of your diaper pail with a disinfectant like Lysol once per day.  

If you don't want to go the chemical route, apple cider vinegar or white vinegar will also do the trick!

8) Use some kitchen creativity. 

Citrus peels, coffee grounds and using spices can all improve the scent of a diaper pail.

Be sure to keep them in a plastic container or put a lining between your scraps and the bottom of the pail to help with cleanup.

9) Move and air it outside.

Designate a specific spot for your diaper pail—preferably not in your baby's room.

It adds a few extra steps to your diaper-changing routine, but setting your diaper pail in an outdoor area adds some much needed fresh air to the equation.

10) Try a few drops of essential oil.

Besides their surprising health benefits, essential oils smell amazing.  

Layer a few paper towels in the bottom of the pail, then add a few drops of your favorite essential oil. (Lavender is a great pick because of its natural relaxing properties.)

Be careful not to overdo it, though as essential oils can have an overpowering aroma in high concentration.

Conclusion

We all know that diaper smells aren't exactly the best part of becoming a parent.

With a little bit of extra cleaning love and some DIY hacks, you can enjoy an odor-free diaper pail.

Try one of the options or a combination of them to come up with your own magic formula.    

Most of them are simple and inexpensive, and you can start today.

You’ll notice a big difference!

Do you have a cleaning secret that works well?