We can chuck disposable diapers away into a trashcan or a diaper pail, but what do we do with cloth diapers? Trashcans or largish plastic boxes can be repurposed as wet pails, where used diapers are submerged in water – along with some baking soda, essential oils and odor eliminators – until they’re ready for washing. This method usually helps eliminate some of the staining, and keeps nasty odors under check. Meanwhile, others prefer to toss used up diapers into a dry pail, without rinsing, awaiting the next laundry session, perhaps with some baking soda and napkins soaked in essential oils to control the stench. Both systems have their sets of pros and cons, but one attribute they share is their relative inflexibility.
We can’t very well carry a diaper pail with us when we’re on the road or travelling, and large diaper bins might be a bit of a problem if our living spaces are on the smaller side, especially if it takes up too much floor space in the baby’s nursery or our bathrooms. Enter hanging diaper pails – available either as dry, wet or both, these portable, oftentimes adorably designed diaper bags can hold dirty diapers without stinking up your home, given that you pick the right one. Take a look at our picks for the best hanging pail for cloth diapers.
Meanwhile, others prefer to toss used up diapers into a dry pail, without rinsing, awaiting the next laundry session, perhaps with some baking soda and napkins soaked in essential oils to control the stench. Both systems have their sets of pros and cons, but one attribute they share is their relative inflexibility. We can’t very well carry a diaper pail with us when we’re on the road or travelling, and large diaper bins might be a bit of a problem if our living spaces are on the smaller side, especially if it takes up too much floor space in the baby’s nursery or our bathrooms. Enter hanging diaper pails – available either as dry, wet or both, these portable, oftentimes adorably designed diaper bags can hold dirty diapers without stinking up your home, given that you pick the right one. Take a look at our picks for the best hanging pail for cloth diapers.
KEN’S PICK
Planet Wise Hanging Wet/Dry Diaper Tote Bag
As the name suggests, this dual purpose bag can be used to carry both your baby’s dry cloth diapers (along with clothing, towels, bibs etc.), as well as a separate compartment included for you to store used up ones, making it the perfect travel diaper tote to have with you on the go as well as an ideal carry-bag to send your baby to day-care with. The 16 inch by 26.5 inch capacity is great for holding between 20 to 24 cloth diapers, while the design of the bag itself is intended to keep all the nasties of dirty diapers sealed inside. The waterproof part of the bag features seamless or hidden-seam stitching, structured out of a water-resistant, canvas-like material covered in water repellent and polyurethane laminate (PUL) to seal odors in, resist wicking and leakage, and prevent bacterial or fungal growth. Once you’re ready to wash out the diapers, just toss the bag into the wash along with them and reuse as many times as you like. If you get more than one of this bag – or any of the other options on this list, in fact – you’ll be able to use them on a rotational basis while some are in the wash as well.
KEN’S BUDGET PICK
Hibaby Large Hanging Wet/Dry Cloth Diaper Pail Bag
This brilliant budget alternative is available in 9 charming patterns and colors, and does not disappoint on the functionality front either. The ‘large’ size of the bag means you can fit in more diapers (roughly up to 25) than you’d be able to with a standard wet/dry hanging diaper pail, with two sturdily zippered compartments to let you keep dry and wet items apart. The zippers glide smoothly closed and open, rugged enough not to rip off under pressure, two durable handles making the bag easy to carry or to hang up against a doorknob or hook.
The polyurethane laminate (PUL) lining the bag’s interior seals all the dirt, moisture and odors in, so you won’t have to worry about a nasty stench hovering around pre-laundry-day, and can empty the bag into the wash without getting your hands dirty, simply washing it along with the diapers.
RUNNER-UP
Wegreeco Reusable Hanging Wet Dry Cloth Diaper Bag (2 Pack!)
With an assortment of 12 patterns, colors and designs, these 16 inch by 27 inch polyurethane laminate (PUL)-lined, waterproof bags are just big enough to fit about 25 cloth diapers, with a compartment for dry items like clothing, unused diapers, dry swimwear and towels at the front, and a ‘wet’ compartment at the back to hold used up, rinsed diapers in need of a washing. The PUL lining on both the interior and exterior, and the waterproof design, lock the moisture and odors in, preventing wicking and leakages until it’s time to do the laundry. Both compartments are sealed with sturdily stitched in, durable zippers, with the bag itself coming with two sturdy nylon carry straps you can use to take the bag along with you on the go, when you’re sending your little one off to day care, or to hang the bag up against a doorknob in your laundry-room or nursery. Simply pop the bag, emptied of diapers and pulled inside out, into the washing machine along with the diapers, and either air dry, or use the lowest setting of your dryer to tumble dry.
RUNNER-UP
Charlie Banana Hanging Diaper Pail
If you’re looking for an option exclusively for the home, are looking specifically for a space-saving dry pail, or are worried that sealing up a diaper pail might lead to more stench problems, this no-fuss, effectively designed hanging pail is the way to go. Durable and usable even after your baby outgrows his or her diaper days as a perfectly convenient laundry bag, this waterproof hanging pail comes with a 100% polyester front and an anti-microbial, leakage-resistant polyurethane back. An elastic strap at the top makes it easy to hang up anywhere, be it in your child’s nursery, the bathroom or your laundry-room, the pail available in a variety of 7 classic patterns or statement colors to make it a cheery addition to any room. The 10 inch by 7 inch bag can hold up to 20 diapers, and can also be used as the lining for a non-hanging diaper pail. The open structure of the bag airs it out naturally and prevents malodors; if you are still concerned, though, the interior of the bag comes with a swatch of terrycloth you can soak with a little tea tree oil to suppress the smell.