How to Clean an Ubbi Diaper Pail
Our Ubbi diaper pail was one item at the top of our registry. We have been consistently using our Ubbi diaper pail for close to 2 years, and I am embarrassed to admit we have yet to clean it…
This is good news for those considering investing in a diaper pail – our Ubbi diaper pail only recently started to smell.
With that said, it also recently started to show signs of mold developing. It’s absolutely time to dive into how to clean an Ubbi diaper pail.
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Why does my Ubbi Diaper Pail Smell?
For the most part, you won’t experience bad diaper smells from your Ubbi diaper pail unless it’s open.
Ours has done a stand-up job of keeping bad diaper smells at bay so long as we avoid the following mistakes:
It Isn’t Cleaned Regularly
When left untreated, even the highest rated diaper pails will take on the smell of dirty diapers. Diaper pails like anything else used regularly in the home require regular cleaning.
If you are diligent about this, you will avoid development of mold and lingering bad diaper smells.
It Isn’t Locked Properly
Another cause of the smell might be that your Ubbi diaper pail hasn’t been locked properly.
We have all experienced a rushed diaper change or two, and in the process it’s easy to forget to properly close and lock the diaper pail.
If this happens to you regularly, the room will eventually take on the scent of whatever is inside of your diaper pail.
It Isn’t Emptied Regularly
An Ubbi diaper pail (or any diaper pail, for that matter) will absolutely smell if you leave dirty diapers inside for too long.
Make sure to empty your diaper pail every 2-3 days at least to prevent smells from building up.
The Interior Gets Moist
Moisture is one of mold’s best friends. If you allow moisture to build in the interior of your Ubbi diaper pail, mold will inevitably start to develop – especially on and around the rubber seal.
To avoid this from happening, allow your Ubbi diaper pail to sit opened for 30 minutes or so at least once or twice a week.
Doing so will properly air out the interior and prevent moisture from building from wet diapers inside of your Ubbi diaper pail.
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How to Remove Mold from an Ubbi Diaper Pail
Infants and young children are among those more sensitive to the negative health effects of mold.
It can cause allergic reactions or exacerbate respiratory issues (source: WebMD), so if you notice mold growing anywhere in your home, it’s important to tackle it immediately.
If you notice your Ubbi diaper pail has started to develop mold around the seel or has developed a permanently bad smell, it’s definitely time for a deep cleaning.
Luckily this isn’t hard to do with a few simple household ingredients.
Tools and Materials:
- Reusable spray bottle
- Distilled white vinegar
- Tea Tree Oil
- Baking soda
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Cleaning sponge and cleaning toothbrush
- Garden hose or flexible shower head
- Towel for drying
Instructions:
- Remove diapers and disposable bags from the inside of your Ubbi diaper pail.
- Take your diaper pail outside near a hose or into a shower or bathtub for cleaning.
- Disassemble the various parts of the lid by unscrewing them from one another. You might want to wear gloves for this part…
- Spray the entire interior (and disassembled parts) of your diaper pail with a mixture of 1 part vinegar, 1 part water, and handful of drops of tea tree oil (I add 10 drops per 2 cups of cleaning liquid). This mixture works as a mild disinfectant.
- Allow the vinegar spray to sit for 30 minutes with the diaper pail lid wide open.
- Grab your baking soda and sprinkle over all of the moldy areas. The baking soda will help dry out the mold and assist as an abrasive cleaning agent when you start scrubbing.
- Allow the baking soda to sit an additional 30 minutes.
- Fill a bowl with hydrogen peroxide and grab your scrub sponge or brush. Dip the sponge into the hydrogen peroxide then scrub the interior of your diaper pail, paying close attention to moldy areas.
- Rinse the interior and exterior of your diaper pail, as well as all disassembled parts, until clean.
- Grab a towel and dry your diaper pail completely!
- Once completely dry, reassemble the diaper pail lid.
- Allow the diaper pail to sit outside or near an open window to dry completely for 30 minutes or longer.
RELATED: How to Clean a Toddler Potty Chair
Non-DIY Disinfectant to Try
If mixing your own disinfectant intimidates you, Force of Nature is an EPA registered disinfectant that is free of fragrances, preservatives, quats, dyes and surfactants. The technology behind their formula is impressive and effective – one that I would feel safe using on toddler furniture.
How to Clean an Ubbi Diaper Pail
It’s important to regularly clean and deodorize your Ubbi diaper pail to keep it smelling fresh and working properly.
I recommend following the easy diaper pail cleaning steps below once a week.
Tools and Materials:
- Reusable spray bottle
- Distilled white vinegar
- Essential oils (I recommend Tea Tree Oil or Lemon Oil)
Instructions:
- Spray the interior of your diaper pail with a cleaning spray: 1 part distilled white vinegar, 1 part water, and a few drops of essential oil (I use 10 drops of lemon or tea tree oil for every 2 cups of cleaning liquid).
- Let this cleaning mixture sit for 15-30 minutes while the lid of the diaper pail is open.
- Wipe everything dry with a clean towel.
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Final Thoughts on Cleaning the Ubbi Diaper Pail
This is one of those jobs that is easy to put off, but once it’s clean it feels SO good. A clean diaper pail in your baby’s nursery means fresher air, and more sanitary diapering in general.
