Advice on Diaper Genie

Updated on April 10, 2006
A. asks from Chicago, IL
25 answers

I am in the market for a good container to hold my son's dirty diapers
(before they make it to the big trash bin). I have been using a step-on
can, but William is 8 months now, and the diapers are more smelly. Every
time I open the lid, I stink up his room! :)

a) Please tell me if I need a diaper genie. I hate the idea of buying
plastic sacks, just to throw out! But that is what I'm leaning towards.

b) Is there something that uses supermarket bags?

4 moms found this helpful

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N.D.

answers from Philadelphia on

A.,

I use the Diaper Champ. Its great. Very large, doesn't smell, and uses regular trash bags. I have 8-month old twins so I go through a lot of diapers!

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D.

answers from Chicago on

I use the Diaper Champ- it doesn't require the namebrand bags like Diaper Genie- it uses anything you want- I use scented drawstring Kitchen bags- works great! It's a little cheaper too!

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D.S.

answers from Chicago on

Hi A.,
The Diaper Champ is the way to go. You can use a regular garbage bag. We would throw out the bag 1x a week and this worked out good.

My cousin had the diaper genie for her baby and she did not like it and ended up getting the Diaper Champ too.

Diana

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J.

answers from Chicago on

Definitely go with the Diaper Champ -- MUCH easier to use than the Diaper Genie (it's one-handed and you just put in the diaper and turn the handle) and you can use any garbage bag. It also keeps smells at bay.

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M.

answers from Chicago on

I threw out my diaper genie (I'm not sure what brand it was) because it became so smelly. Now I save supermarket bags and large ziplock bags that are used and double-bag dirty diapers and throw them in the regular trash, which gets taken out daily.

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M.T.

answers from Chicago on

To be honest I had used Diaper Genie and it stinks too! So after my first born I just use the shopping bags and tied it close and rewrap again then throw in the garbage can and it works so much better!

:-)M.
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M.E.

answers from Chicago on

Hi - I have a Diaper Dekor. You can buy it at any baby store. It is also a step-on can, but holds in most of the bad smell. The stores sell special bags for the Dekor, however I use regular kitchen trash bags. I found special rubber bands for holding trashbags up in the grocery trashbag aisle. You don't really need the rubber band, but I think it works well.

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K.P.

answers from Tampa on

Look into a diaper champ, they allow you to use regular bags so there is no extra cost.

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V.

answers from Chicago on

I know what you're going thru! I asked all the moms I know about this very question before I even registered for my shower. Here's the short version: I ended up with the DiaperGenie--which I love. the refills aren't that expensive and I only use them for the poopy diapers--the wet ones I just throw in the regular can. some people complain that you need 2 hands to throw away the diaper, but I figure so what? I have two hands, I can use them. Moms I know who've used the ones with plain bags end up buying stickups for the can and scented bags--ends up being the same price as a genie refill. And I'm always at target buying diapers, the refills are right there. I got three refills for my shower and I haven't used them up yet--and my daughter's 4 1/2 months old. Go to Once upon a child on Milwaukee Ave. They have used DiaperGenies for cheap and all you'll need is the refill. Some moms I know take every dirty diaper out to the trash immediately--I personally don't want that hassle. Good luck!

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S.

answers from Chicago on

I am a mom that uses a diaper genie and the smell is trapped in the unit but when you open the top, you get a small whiff of the diapers but after you close it up, then the smell goes away.

You can definitely use trash bags with the same concept as the diaper genie because when I am out and about, I use the little shopping bags and I wrap the diaper up and tie it on the end, then when I need to throw away another diaper while we are out, I use the same shopping bag and tie the end when I am done. A shopping bag will allow you to throw away about three diapers in one bag, just continue to tie the bag after you throw away each diaper. You can do that with your can that you step on.

Just make sure that you continuously disinfect your can with Lysol or some sort to keep away the bacteria that builds up.

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M.

answers from Chicago on

A.,
I use the diaper champ and I am very happy with it. It uses normal every day bags, I use the cheap Taget brand bags. I also hated the idea of using special bags as is necessary for the diaper genie. I would vote for the diaper champ. Hope this helps!

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E.C.

answers from Chicago on

I have a genie, and it is OK, but my friend has a "Diaper Champ" and I am envious. The diaper champ uses regular trash bags and I think has better odor control than the genie. They have them at Target I think.

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C.U.

answers from Chicago on

We use the Jewel...Target...etc.. bags to put the diaper in and then throw them in the garbage.

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S.H.

answers from Chicago on

I wouldn't waste my money on a Diaper Genie or the refills. They get very expensive and don't last very long. I had the Diaper Genie with my first and it was so noisy it scared him. I now have the Diaper Champ which uses regular garbage bags, but it still stinks. Anything you buy is going to smell bad, the plastic absorbs the odor, so there really isn't a lot you can do about it. I try to put a stick-up in the bottom of mine, but that doesn't work for very long. If you must buy something, the Diaper Champ is better than the Genie.
Hope this helps. Good luck.

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A.

answers from Chicago on

Hi A.,

My son is 2 years and we have always used a diaper genie for him. We like it. We have had no issues with odors until you open it up to empty it (which is going to happen with any diaper pail). Yes it is a little annoying to have to pay for the refills, but we as far as utility goes, it has worked well for us.

Aarti.

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A.

answers from Chicago on

Skip the Diaper Genie! They are a pain and there are other types of diaper (and stink) containers that use regular trash bags. We have one that was either Safety 1st brand or Toys R Us generic that is great. Still kind of small - has to be emptied about every other day, but works great. It is white and blue with a small pop up lid in the center. You put the bundled dirty diaper in the center and it drops down in between 2 flaps. There is also a little dome to put fresh scent discs into - not really neccessary, but there if you want it.
This style really does contain the odor.
I think the bin cost about $20. I threw the diaper genie away after someone gave us this style bin.

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T.G.

answers from Chicago on

Hi A., don't waste your money on the diaper genie. I have one and I hate it! After a couple of months I bought the diaper champ. It uses regular bags (I buy the scented ones) and I use lysol on it after I change the bag. I have never had a problem with odor. I got mine at babies are us, but check with Target or Walmart too. Tricia

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A.H.

answers from Chicago on

A.,
We bought the diaper genie for our first son who is almost 4! It has lasted through 2 children and is so easy to use and clean. You have to buy the diaper genie refills, but I think we only go through 1/month or maybe 1 1/2. They are about $4-5 and often times Babies R Us or Toys R Us has buy 3 get 1 free. We actually use the newborn refills for our toddler diapers too because we think it keeps the smell in better. Hope this helps.
A.

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A.L.

answers from Chicago on

We have the Diaper Champ by Baby Trend and it works great. You can use any plastic bags with it so there's no need to buy special refills.

A little hint: The instructions on how to put your plastic bags in the Diaper Champ were not very clear. It took us a couple weeks to figure out that you have to thread the plastic bag through the opening under the lid in order to lock the smells out. I'm probably making it sound really complicated, but it's not. It works great!

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A.

answers from Chicago on

We have the Diaper Champ. We like it better than the Diaper Genie because it takes regular kitchen garbage bags which are MUCH cheaper than the Diaper Genie refills.

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J.K.

answers from Chicago on

A., Eight months is about the time when their diapers are smelly no matter what. I just keep them in a regular small garbage can and throw them in the outside trash everyday. I wouldn't spend any money on another diaper genie because they smell more when they're contained, it seems. Good Luck! J.

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L.O.

answers from Chicago on

Dear A.,

As a post-partum doula I have used a zillion diaper disposal systems and I have found the Diaper Genie to be the worst by far!!! Not only do you have to buy seperate bags for it but you need 2 hands to operate it and disposal is difficult as the cutter never, ever, ever works well. Save $60-$80/ year and get the Diaper Champ. It usues regular bags and is a breeze to operate with one hand. I reccomend it to everyone who asks for an opinion.

Good Luck,
L.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.

answers from Chicago on

We solved our problem by putting the diaper in a grocery bag (or 2)and then in to the diaper pail on the back porch. It seemed the only way to get the stink out of the house.
M.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.M.

answers from Chicago on

I do not like the diaper genie. But do like my Diaper Dekor. You do have to buy special bags for it, but it's good at keeping the smell out or at least at a minimum. I will admit I still change the bag at least every other day. I know a mom who got a container meant for dog food from a pet supply store that she said had two lids to keep the smell out and she used regular trash bags. Another option.

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J.K.

answers from Chicago on

The Diaper Champ is great. You can use regular grocery bags (not special ones), and it keeps in the odor. You just put the dirty diaper in the hole on top and flip the handle; the dirty diaper drops down into the bag.

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