How to stop diaper pail smell

Short answer: Empty the diaper pail often, use the right liner, clean and dry the pail, and add an activated charcoal sachet that you replace when odor returns. Charcoal absorbs odor rather than adding a scent on top.

Six steps to a fresher diaper pail

1. Empty the pail on a schedule. Don’t wait until the pail is packed full. A fuller pail holds more odor and is harder to seal.
2. Use the refill or liner your pail is made for. Follow your pail maker’s instructions so the lid and seal close the way they were designed to.
3. Clean and fully dry the pail. Wash the pail as its maker recommends whenever you change the bag or when it starts to smell, then let it dry completely. Moist air reduces how well activated charcoal works (EPA Air Pollution Control Cost Manual, “Carbon Adsorbers”).
4. Add an activated charcoal sachet. Place a Green Piece sachet near the top of the pail or under the lid, using a double-sided tape where your pack includes one. See how to use the sachets.
5. Replace the sachet when odor returns. Activated charcoal eventually fills up and must be replaced (EPA, “Facts About Activated Carbon Treatment”). Follow your pack’s directions, and replace the sachet when odor comes back.
6. Keep the lid closed and the area aired out. Close the lid after each change and let fresh air into the room when you can.

Why does my diaper pail still smell?

The usual reasons are a pail that is too full, a bag or liner that does not seal well, residue inside the pail, or a sachet that needs replacing. Work through the steps above first. A deodorizer helps, but it cannot make up for a pail that needs emptying or cleaning.

Cloth diaper pails

For cloth diapers, follow your diaper maker’s wash and storage advice. A charcoal sachet can sit in the pail area, but keep it out of the wash and away from wet diapers.

Common questions

How often should I empty the diaper pail?

Follow your pail’s instructions and empty it before it gets packed full. Many families empty it every few days, but it depends on your pail size and how many diapers you use.

Do scented deodorizers work better?

Scents cover odor; activated charcoal absorbs it. Green Piece’s 36 and 4+1 packs are listed as unscented, so they add no fragrance to the nursery.