Disposing of dirty diapers is an unavoidable, stinky and sometimes a messy process. Diaper Pails are one of the most frequently used baby products. With any product you buy, especially products that you will use over and over, you want to make sure that you are buying quality. There are many diaper disposal systems to choose from - all of which make promises of completely obliterating odor. But before delving into what to look for in a diaper disposal system, let's set up some realistic expectations:
1. Smelling dirty diapers is unavoidable.
2. With any diaper disposal system you purchase, you will need to clean it.
3. You will need to change out refills or liners to maintain a clean and fresh nursery.
Now that real expectations have been set, let's move on how to select the best diaper pail for your family.
Where do I Begin?
The first thing you should do is to ask yourself what factors or features are most important to you?
After researching and listening to parents and caregivers, most concerns in regards to purchasing the best diaper pail system and diaper care are:
o Easy to Use
o Contains Odor
o Cost
o Environmentally Friendly
Easy to Use
Time is a precious commodity that cannot be replaced. That is why it is so important for parents to master multi-tasking and time management. For easy to use diaper disposal systems, look for hands-free solutions. Avoid systems that may require you to push down diapers, twist and/or turn things.
As some of you may have already experienced, touching leads to bigger messes. You try to push the diapers down into the pail and you end up with a mess on your hands...literally.
Also, when it's time to change out refills or liners, examine how easy it is to remove them. Some great features found on very few diaper pails are internal cutters that cut refills for easy disposal.
Odors
There are many diaper pail systems that claim to completely eliminate odor. Now while there are exceptional diaper pails containing odor, be wary of those that overstate their capabilities. Look into the features to see where the real "odor containment" lies. Some of the most simple diaper disposal solutions offer the best in containing odor. You may not necessarily need an automated system (that requires batteries) to contain odor. Look for diaper pails that offer features such as a double lock mechanism, durable material that doesn't pick up odor and trap door or seal on the lid to effectively contain odors. Refills that are scented are also a great way to contain odors from escaping into nursery.
Cost
Actual cost for diaper pails range from about $20-40. Before focusing on the actual cost of the pail, examine the refill cost and the capacity of the diaper pail. For example, you may opt to by a low cost diaper pail for $20 and the cost of a pack of refills are $10 a pack. The actual size and capacity of this low cost diaper pail is half as much as some of the larger and more expensive pails. So where you may have saved on the actual cost of the pail, you are really spending more money on refills (not including the time to buy and constantly change them out). Search for diaper pails and refills that can dispose of a large amount of diapers.
Environmentally Friendly
There are very few diaper disposal systems that have invested the time and money to make their products green. Disposing of dirty diapers in of itself is very taxing on the environment, however every little change to make things more efficient and eco-friendly counts. Some diaper pails like Diaper Dekor have biodegradable refills that break down faster than plastics and it has a continuous refill and internal cutter that allows eco-conscious users to make as few bags as they would like. Most green products will have a symbol that denotes that it is environmentally friendly.
Where to Look
The most important thing to do is to research and shop around. Look at the company's website to see what value and benefits they can offer to you. Look at unbiased customer reviews to see how they fair in the marketplace or ask your local baby registry store clerk. But most of all, focus on the features, not the advertisement!
