Welcoming a brand new addition to your family is obviously a wonderful thing, but a newborn baby also means many sleepless nights and just as much nappy changing!
With that being said, while there is not much you can do about the lack of sleep, there is something that can really help make the second activity a lot easier on you, and that is a really good nappy bin!
After all, newborns usually need changing up to 10 or 12 times every day, while older babies will need changing at least 6 to 8 times per day.
If you use disposable diapers, it’s a good idea to get rid of them as soon as possible in order to keep the smell out of your house, but that is not always practical, especially if you live in a flat, if the weather is terrible on some days or if your little one needs changing in the middle of the night, something that is often the case.
For such situations, it can be really helpful if you have a nappy bin close by!
Of course, you could just throw the soiled nappies into the kitchen or bathroom bins, but standard garbage cans are not that efficient when it comes to containing the bad smell.
On the other hand, nappy disposal bins are made with that problem in mind, being able to minimize unpleasant smells, which is why parents love them so much.
Furthermore, in case you have decided to go for reusable nappies, you will still need a good place to store them until laundry day, so you’ll find a nappy bin is still something you will get a lot of use out of.
Basically, this product is bound to make your life as a new parent much easier, whether you’ve opted for disposable or reusable diapers.
So what exactly are nappy bins?
As mentioned before, these products are made in such a way that they efficiently trap the worst smells in as opposed to the normal kitchen and bathroom garbage cans.
However, if you have been browsing for one for a while, you have undoubtedly noticed that there are many options on the market, so how do you choose?
After all, while they’re pretty much all superior to your standard garbage can, not all nappy bins are created equal, so you might want to get well informed before picking your ideal option.
With that being said, this guide is here to provide you with all the information you need as well as an extensive list of some of the best nappy bins out there in order to make the process as easy as possible for every busy parent out there.
First of all, some of the very best diaper disposing bins come with scented liners or are made super airtight so you don’t ever have to worry about your baby’s nappies stinking up your place all the time.
There is no doubt that they are really convenient and usually accessible. Besides, if you are also worried about them standing out like a sore thumb, you’ll be happy to know that there are some really stylish ones out there that will suit any nursery décor.
Most nappy bins have mesh or cloth liners that can be taken off and thrown into the washing machine whenever they need a wash, making the process really easy and quick all the while reducing the mess as much as possible.
Those made out of steel and other similar materials are better at eliminating odors as opposed to those made out of plastic.
A great tip from other parents is adding a few drops of tea-tree or lavender oil to the bin after cleaning it in order to keep the smell away for good.
What should you look out for when purchasing your very own nappy bin?
- Capacity
Usually, the capacity covers size 1 nappies which means that the bin and the liners can hold fewer nappies and therefore need changing more often.
However, older babies don’t need to change their diapers as often so it all evens out in the end.
- Liner system
Some bins are made to take liners which are usually just plastic bags but oftentimes, they come as a long roll that needs replacing so keep that in mind, especially since they can sometimes be hard to find if you have an older bin model. The one thing you can do about this is to make sure to check if refills are still available on the market before picking a certain nappy bin.
- Safety
As with pretty much anything else not meant for your little one to play with, you’ll have to ensure they can’t get to them.
That being said, look for a bin with a lid that requires an adult to open it and also store the bin away from the baby’s reach.
- Reusable nappy bins
Cloth diapers are made to be reused but until they get washed, you need to store them in a bin with a tight-fitting lid.
Previous generations used to soak the used nappies but nowadays, it is recommended that they are kept in a dry environment, preferably in a mesh bag that you can just chuck inside the bin before putting the lid on.
- Special features
While it may be just a bin, you should know that there are many modern designs out there that come with a bunch of extra features you’ll love.
For instance, there are some that offer you the ability to wrap the diaper up really tightly in order to trap the smells inside the bin.
Of course, that is a nice feature but if you are not planning on investing in such a device, you’ll be happy to know that they are not necessary.
At the end of the day, all you need is a container with a tight lid!
- Environmental impact
Naturally, plastic nappy bins as well as refill bags tend to have an environmental impact so if this is something you care about, make sure you go for an eco-friendly option.
How big are nappy bins?
Just like most other things, nappy bins tend to vary in size but instead of looking into their capacity, it may be easier if you just check the number of diapers each can hold.
This way, you’ll be able to pretty accurately estimate how often you will need to empty it.
Most of them have a capacity of 20 to 30 diapers but you can find some that hold up to 50 as well.
Of course, you can choose to empty them more often as well if you prefer.
Naturally, if you are looking for a more compact bin that will not take up too much space, you’re going to have to sacrifice the large capacity and the other way around.
As a general rule, try to empty your nappy bin at least every three days to keep the smell risk at a minimum when you open it.
That being said, here are some of the best nappy bins out there in no particular order!
- Tommee Tippee Twist and Click Nappy Disposal Bin
The Tommee Tippee Twist and Click Nappy Disposal Bin can store up to 28 nappies at a time and includes one replaceable cassette of liners which means up to a month’s worth of refills.
It was designed with a twisting mechanism that wraps each diaper individually before locking it away inside the bin and giving the best hygiene protection available.
All you have to do is drop the used diaper inside the bin and then wind the handle to twist and wrap it in the protective bag that claims to keep all germs and odor locked away.
To seal everything in, just close the lid. The antibacterial film is supposedly able to kill up to 99 percent of all dangerous germs on contact which is great news.
Aside from being antibacterial, the bags are also scented, helping even more with keeping the unpleasant odors at bay.
Rotho Babydesign Nappy Pail
The Rotho Babydesign Nappy Pail is a more traditional style nappy pail but also super sturdy and perfect for both disposable and reusable nappies!
This product does its job really well without all the bells and whistles.
The capacity is ten liters and is able to store up to 25 diapers, which means you will only need to empty it every other day.
The strong lid is more than able to keep the odors stored away.
Furthermore, thanks to the indented grips, you can open and close the lid with only one hand without any struggle.
Another advantage of purchasing this product is that, if you are using disposable diapers, you can very well use any standard garbage bags, meaning that you won’t have to continuously get replaceable shells and refills.
Furthermore, this bin comes in three exciting colors that will make matching it to your nursery’s décor much easier – Cool Blue, Apple Green and Stone Grey.
It measures 31 x 27 x 29.5 cm.
Angelcare Nappy Disposal System
The Angelcare Nappy Disposal System stores around 20 diapers per bin and includes one cassette with 128 liners.
That being said, it will need to be refilled after using all of them. It is meant to last for about a month.
This bin has a one-handed push and lock system which means all you need to do is push the used diaper through the hole at the top of the bin and that’s all!
Furthermore, you’ll be pleased to know that it comes with Air-Seal technology, a system meant to keep smells away.
If you care about the environment, some more good news is that this product uses 4 times less plastic than most other nappy bins.
It is easy to set up and use and does a great job keeping unpleasant odors at bay.
Korbell Plus Nappy Bin
The Korbell Plus Nappy Bin is the perfect product for you if you are looking for a large capacity nappy bin since it can store up to 65 diapers per bin load!
It includes one pack of liners, every pack featuring no less than 580 liners so you know you won’t need a refill anytime soon.
With that being said, it is the perfect purchase if you have twins or even triplets since it’s a massive, 26 liters bin.
Just keep in mind that this is a really big bin so it’s going to take quite a bit of space.
To make use easy, it was designed with a foot pedal that allows you to open the bin at the front and remove the liner when the bin is filled and needs to be emptied.
In addition to that, it does a great job keeping unpleasant odors at bay.
And if you like what this bin has to offer but do not actually need such a large capacity bin, no worries – it actually comes in a variety of different sizes.
The Mini 9 liter bin is the smallest available and holds up to 25 diapers at a time, each liner lasting for up to 300 diapers.
The standard size measures around 15-16 liters and can hold 45 diapers at a time, each liner lasting for up to 495 diapers.
Vital Baby Hygiene Odour-Trap Nappy Disposal System
The Vital Baby Hygiene Odour-Trap Nappy Disposal System can store up to 25 used diapers at the same time and does not include any liners.
This is because they are not required as any normal plastic garbage bag can be used.
Furthermore, if you are trying to protect the planet by avoiding using too much plastic, you can always try biodegradable bags as well as eco-friendly nappies.
It’s been designed with a smell trap system that does a great job locking in all unpleasant odors, keeping your house from smelling bad.
This is a great product if you like to use reusable nappies as well.
All you need to do is pop them inside the bin and whenever you’re ready, or when it’s full, just wash them.
The only con, depending on your needs, is that this is a rather small capacity bin.
Tramontina 12L Stainless Steel Pedal Bin
The Tramontina 12L Stainless Steel Pedal Bin is a 12-liter stainless steel pedal bin that is not actually exclusively designed to hold diapers inside.
However, that is not to say it’s not an excellent choice for this exact task as it can hold up to 25 diapers at a time.
Furthermore, it does not require any special refills which means you can use it with standard garbage bags.
Since it is made from really great quality, sturdy stainless steel, it is great at stopping all those unpleasant odors from spreading through the house.
The pedal opening system is a great feature for when you need to hold your baby in your arms and also throw away their soiled nappy in the bin or if you simply don’t want to touch the bin every time for the sake of avoiding bacteria from getting on your hands.
Another pro is that this bin will last you for a long time when compared to most traditional nappy bins.
Not to mention that when your kids are all grown up, you can repurpose this bin like a normal kitchen garbage can, something you can’t really do with nappy bins.
It measures 33 x 26.6 x 32.8cm.
- Bambino Mio Nappy Bucket
The Bambino Mio Nappy Bucket is ideal if you opt for reusable nappies and want to be as eco-friendly as possible.
This way, you can always use this product to stash the diapers away until washing day without any mess or icky smells.
This bucket is designed with a lockable lid that will keep the odors contained and little ones’ hands away from the contents.
To make the process even less messy, you can purchase reusable Bambino Mio laundry bags.
All you need to do is place a laundry bag inside the bucket and then just chuck the reusable dirty nappies inside before locking the lid.
When the bags are full, remove them from the bucket and place them directly into the washing bag without the need of ever directly touching those soiled diapers.
Just keep in mind that it does not have a large capacity, measuring 26 x 25 x 26cm and fitting around 12 to 15 diapers at a time.
Ubbi Nappy Disposal Bin
The Ubbi Nappy Disposal Bin is perfect if you are looking for a more stylish product.
This is because it’s actually won a few different design awards and features a number of different color options such as Blush Pink, Sage Green, Chrome, Marble, Slate and Woodgrain, allowing you to choose one that will match your home décor.
As for the features it comes with, this nappy bin is great since it’s been designed with a child-proof lock that will keep their tiny hands from the dirty contents.
Not only that but this product also has a large capacity of up to 50 nappies at a time all the while featuring a great odor stopping technology.
Furthermore, it is not made out of plastic but of sturdy, good quality steel that will last you for a long time.
There is even a damper mechanism that allows airtight closure to make sure the unpleasant odors remain completely locked inside.
The lid slides as well, minimizing air disruption.
Another advantage is that special refills are not required which means you can use standard garbage bags.
This is a 59 liters bin measuring 28.9 x 21.3 x 49.5cm.
Korbell Classic Nappy Bin
The Korbell Classic Nappy Bin is perfect if you are looking for a reliable hands-free option since it has been designed with a foot pedal.
This way you can hold the baby in your arms as you throw away their used diapers or simply rest assured that you won’t get any bacteria on your hands every time you need to dispose of the soiled nappies.
The 16 liter version is made out of durable plastic and it also comes with four biodegradable liners.
The bin can hold up to 45 diapers at a time and each individual liner can actually last for much longer – up to 495 diapers or 10-11 weeks. In other words, you won’t have to worry about it for 44 weeks!
If you are worried about the unpleasant smell escaping, you’ll be pleased to know that this bin is made with a three part system that includes a sealed spring-loaded door that shuts automatically as soon as the dirty diapers pass through it.
Furthermore, there is a secure lid top and that’s not all as the liners are fragranced as well in order to perfectly disguise the odors!
Finally, there is a double seal that will keep the little ones’ tiny fingers from getting stuck.
When the time comes to change the bin liner, there is nothing easier!
All you need to do is pull the liner out, cut it from the rill with the inbuilt cutting tool and then tie the remaining liner which is fresh and ready to be used!
Finally, you’ll be happy to know that this bin is not only effective and practical but will look good in any nursery as well since it comes in a number of pastel color options.
Junior Joy Nappy Bucket
The Junior Joy Nappy Bucket can store up to 12 soiled diapers and comes in yellow, pink, blue, white and gray.
If you are looking for a bin ideal for reusable nappies, this might just be the one for you.
You can use it to store the reusable nappies before washing since it features a secure sitting lid specially designed to keep all of the unpleasant odors locked inside the bin.
To make things easier on busy parents who have their hands full all the time, this bin’s lid can be removed using only one hand.
The bucket is durable and easy to clean which means that this is a super hygienic place to always store the soiled nappies before the time comes for you to wash them.
Finally, this bin comes in a variety of color options and there are no liners or refills needed to use it!
Skip Hop Nappy Bin
The Skip Hop Nappy Bin can store up to 20 liners at a time and comes in a neutral gray that won’t look out of place no matter the interior décor.
This product features an odor proof seal and a dual air-lock system that prevents unpleasant smells from escaping into the house, keeping them inside safely locked inside.
It also features a child proof lock that will keep the little ones from opening the bin and making a mess all around.
A great advantage is that you can throw away a used diaper and then grab a new one all in the same place as this bin allows you to keep everything you need within reach every time thanks to the storage compartment.
Furthermore, this bin uses standard garbage bags so there is no need to purchase anything special to use it.
Munchkin Bagit Portable Disposable Nappy Bin
The Munchkin Bagit Portable Disposable Nappy Bin stores up to 30 used diapers at one time and comes in white so it will match no matter the interior décor.
It has a clever design that makes for a full sized portable diaper bin.
When you first purchase it, it comes in a near-flat circle that you can then pop up and fill with used diapers before finally throwing the whole thing away when full.
That being said, you can either buy a single unit or a pack of 5 and is a perfect, sturdier alternative to just keeping diaper sacks in the changing bag.
Furthermore, it is the ideal option for travel especially if you are short of space before reaching your destination.
It even stands up in most car boots, allowing you to fill it up during the journey or use it as a second diaper bin in the house, allowing you to have more than just one changing station in the house.
