Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Inspiration

Diaper-trash solutions that look great in your home and contain odors

NewFolks
By

Changing diapers probably isn’t your favorite part of having a baby. However, with a good diaper disposal system, the diaper pail in their nursery could be one of your favorite pieces of furniture in the room. If you choose a fashion-forward, smell-proof diaper pail to use in your child’s diapering area, you won’t regret it. Have a look through this article to get a few ideas for stylish and effective diaper pails.

Stainless-steel diaper pails

If you’re looking for a sleek, solidly constructed diaper pail, look no further than stainless-steel options. Available in a variety of finishes and patterns, stainless steel helps to lock in odors while also looking fab. Stainless steel is a sturdy and long-lasting material. Many stainless-steel bins are also slim in appearance and fit neatly into tight corners. This type of diaper pail often features rubber seals on the inner lid or chamber to contain odors. Of course, the material itself helps to lock in odors, keeping your nursery smelling rather pleasant. Stainless-steel diaper pails are typically affordable and built to last. Consider a stainless-steel diaper pail if you’re looking to get the best deal that is both stylish and odor-proof.

mother changing diaper
Thanasis Zovoilis/Getty Images

Deodorizing discs

Certain models of diaper pails are equipped with special discs that release a scent to help deodorize their contents. Keep in mind that these discs must be replaced with refills that sometimes come with a hefty price tag. However, they are usually known to be quite effective at eliminating undesirable smells. You can place the deodorizing discs at the bottom of any diaper pail if odors are getting to you. They come in a number of scents, and each lasts for a few weeks at most. These tiny helpers can go a long way in the quest against dirty-diaper scents. Deodorizing discs are an easy addition to make that can completely change your diapering routine.

Related

Colorful diaper pails

You are probably one of many parents who carefully chose and stuck to a theme for decorating your baby’s nursery. If that is the case, or even if it isn’t, rest assured knowing that you can find a diaper pail that goes with your color scheme. Diaper pails are now available in a wide range of colors and prints. From solid light pink to neutral chevron, you are guaranteed to find a diaper pail that matches your nursery’s theme. For some models of diaper pails, you can even buy special designer covers to switch up their look. If you’re feeling especially crafty, you can DIY a painted diaper pail to decorate it to your heart’s content.

Recommended Videos

Individually wrapped diapers

There are myriad technologies to lock in odors in diaper pails, but one surefire way to do so is by individually wrapping a diaper. A number of diaper pails on the market do this, and they are indeed known for keeping bad smells at bay. Expectedly, this method of leaving a room odor-free notably uses a lot of plastic. So if you are one to choose eco-friendly options otherwise, you might want to consider other types of diaper pails. If you’re less concerned about the environmental impact of diapering, though, and are a bit more bothered by bad smells, diaper pails that individually wrap each diaper are a great option for you.

baby with diaper
The Honest Company/Unsplash

Hands-free diaper pails

If you want to minimize the possibility of coming into contact with soiled diapers, you’ll probably want to invest in a hands-free diaper pail. Most diaper pails currently on the market fit this bill, featuring a foot pedal that is stepped on to open the pail’s lid, revealing the chute where diapers are put. This type of diaper pail is great for those who are wary of germs. The lever involved means that the lid will automatically close, eliminating the opportunity for odors to escape. Plus, keeping one hand on baby is the safest way to change them, and this type of diaper pail allows you to do just that.

Odorless diaper compartments

Some modern diaper pails are designed to have an airtight compartment that holds a single diaper before it is released into the area with the other diapers. These specialized spaces free you from the daunting task of having to smell old, dirty diapers every time you change your baby. Unlike many other completely hands-free diaper pails, you will likely have to touch a button or lever to empty the odor-proof compartment. This kind of diaper pail tends to be larger than others in order to fit the extra space in. If your diaper pail has an odorless chamber for quick and painless diaper disposal, you are sure to appreciate your purchase and the way your home smells. Make note that the extra mechanics involved might translate into the need for more repairs than your average diaper pail would require.

baby with diaper
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Scented liners

While some diaper pails feature small discs that are inserted into them to eliminate odors, others have trash bags that are also scented. These scented liners can be combined with deodorizing discs for an odor-neutralizing regimen. Just make sure that the scents go together! A drawback to diaper pails with scented bags is, again, the need to purchase specific bag refills. These can come at a price, and it can be inconvenient to have to run to the store just to buy refills. Find out whether your diaper pail is compatible with other types of trash bags (like regular ones) and perhaps factor this into your decision making when choosing a diaper pail.

Diaper pails come in a variety of shapes and sizes. For the stylish mom-to-be, it can be frustrating having to decide which type of diaper pail is both fashion-forward and odor-free. Valuing both aspects of a diaper pail equally can lead you to a number of product options at multiple price points. Carefully consider all of your available options when it comes to choosing a diaper pail for your nursery.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
NewFolks
NewFolks
If you love Disney, these are the motivational quotes to complete your nursery decor
Decorating the nursery or redoing a bedroom? These motivational quotes for kids will fit right in
A crib with nursery decor hanging above it

Decorating a nursery for the first time, redoing a kid's room with a new theme, or wanting art added to your child's bedroom? Motivational quotes are always the way to go. If you're stuck with where to pull inspiration from, how about your kiddo's favorite Disney characters? Disney-loving families will find the perfect motivational quotes for kids to help keep their focus on the positive side of things while leaning on them as room decor.
To remind your child it's all about their attitude
A child is never too young to learn how to work out a problem on their own, and it's never too early to help them have a positive attitude when working through an issue. These Disney characters have the right attitude.
"The problem is not the problem. The problem is your attitude about the problem." -- Jack Sparrow (Pirates of the Caribbean)
"The only way to get what you want in this world is through hard work." -- Tiana (The Princess and the Frog)
"You control your destiny -- you don’t need magic to do it. And there are no magical shortcuts to solving your problems." -- Merida (Brave)
To remind your kid they are the only one of them out there
We all think our child is the most precious creature alive. And while we are all correct, hang one of these quotes in their nursery or bedroom to remind them daily.
"Your identity is your most valuable possession. Protect it." -- Elastigirl (The Incredibles)
"I can’t go back to yesterday because I was a different person then." -- Alice (Alice in Wonderland)

To remind them that taking a risk is always worth it
From the first step to the first day of school to the first activity they want to sign up for, every risk your child takes is worth it. Most children love risk-taking anyway, so foster that fearlessness by hanging these quotes up around their room.

Read more
Need to clean out the playroom? This is where you should donate toys
Need help on where to donate toys to tidy up your child's room? We have the local spots to go to first
A child's room that's a bit messy with toys and items all over

Between holidays, birthdays, and "just because" moments, the playroom and kids' bedrooms fill up pretty quickly with all sorts of items. If you want to declutter that toy room and get rid of the things your children no longer play with, donating will teach your kids to help others while letting you see the floor again. Instead of the places that are the usual stops for toy donations near you, try these other places first.
Local Buy Nothing group
If you don't know about your local Buy Nothing group, please look into it. It's a safe place to swap, give away, or ask for items or services completely free of charge. Sure, we'd all like to get a few bucks back from our child's toys, but if you don't want to go through that hassle, this is the best option. You don't even have to leave the house if you're more comfortable with porch pickups in your neighborhood.
Ask hospitals what they could use
Hospitals have tighter rules about what they can take, but it's never a bad idea to ask. The hospital would be the best for when you purchased something, it was the wrong size or item, and now you can't return it. Though items still in the packaging and with tags are always preferred, there are exceptions. Call and ask what your local hospital would take.
Reach out to local day cares/schools
If your children have ever gone to day care, you know how quickly they ask for donations. Day cares are open to more kinds of things, not just toys, so if you need to do a bit of an overhaul in your kids' rooms, ask your local day care facilities. The schools in your area are a great go-to, as well. Teachers always need classroom supplies, and the younger grades would need toys, books, and even clothing for when accidents happen.
Parent groups
Whether you're in a bunch of Facebook groups or are part of a group that meets in person, ask people you already know if they could use some toys your children have outgrown. You have a rapport with these other parents, and if you meet up in person, you could bring the items along and not have to make another stop.

Women's and children's centers in your area
For your donations to make a bigger impact, make sure women's and children's centers are on your list. If you were a struggling parent, you know how much it means to have a place like that to go to when in need. If you're a parent who doesn't have to struggle, pay it forward and count your blessings by donating to one.

Read more
Floor beds are trending. Is the hallmark Montessori sleep space for your little one?
Montessori floor beds: What's the point exactly? The answer is super interesting
Children playing in a Montessori bedroom

If you spend time in parenting spaces, you know Montessori is having a moment. Scroll through Instagram and TikTok, and you’ll see thoughtfully designed playrooms with open shelves, minimal wooden playthings (probably from Lovevery), and tons of information on the benefits of toy rotations. The bedrooms each have a floor bed.

For the unfamiliar, a floor bed is exactly what it sounds like: a bed on the floor. Though you’ll find sprawling ones on Etsy with wooden railings, it can be as simple as a firm crib mattress low enough to the ground that a little one can get in and out of on their own.

Read more