Incontinence: Odor Control - Carewell's Best Products For Managing Urinary Stains and Odors
Managing incontinence is one of the most common challenges family caregivers face. Products like pull-ups and absorbent underwear with tabs make it easier to protect your bedding and furniture, but accidents can still arise. With the right products though, tackling urinary stains and odors is a breeze.
Since we often get questions about odor control and stain prevention, we’ve compiled this shoppable list of our 8 favorite products. It includes everything you need to manage accidents, so your loved one (and home!) stays clean, dry, and smelling fresh.
Carewell’s Best Products For Managing Urinary Stains and Odors
The products featured below are some of our top-rated and best-selling cleaning products. When possible, we’ve included real user feedback under the heading “hear it from a caregiver.”
1) Lysol Surface Disinfectant Cleaning Wipes
When caring for a loved one with incontinence, you need to be able to clean up urine and feces quickly. These Lysol disinfectant cleaning wipes are ideal for those leaks that make it onto hard surfaces, like bathroom floors and toilet seats. These wipes kill up to 99.9% of viruses and bacteria. And, they have a fresh lemon scent that stops odor at the source, keeping your home fresh and smell-free. If you use these regularly, add these to an Autoship order and save 30% on your first order.
Key Benefits & Features
Each wipe features a micro-pocket pattern that traps odors and lifts messes
Safe for use on almost anywhere in your home, including counters, floors, and bathroom surfaces
80 wipes per container
Hear it from a caregiver
“I love how these wipes work and [they] smell wonderful!”
- Lucindia M.
2) Dermarite Bye, Bye Odor Deodorizer
This Dermarite odor deodorizer is one of our most popular products. Instead of simply trying to cover up unpleasant smells, it eliminates them at the source. Dermarite has a mild scent and can be sprayed on fabric, in the air, or on hard surfaces. Caregivers tell us it’s especially effective at eliminating odors from diaper pails and bedpans. It’s non-toxic and freshens up any room with just a few spritzes.
Key Benefits & Features
Eliminates airborne bacteria
Has a mild, pleasant scent
Safe on almost any surface emitting unpleasant odors
Hear it from a caregiver
“This product is wonderful for so many things that I have to do. First of all, It has a great scent that’s refreshing and not overwhelming. I use it to deodorize our shoes. Also, to refresh the rooms in our home and spray any garbage bags that we are disposing of. It’s not expensive and gives us peace of mind when others are visiting our home.”
- June L.
Price: $2.04 - $64.05
3) Arm & Hammer Deodorizing Air Freshener
This Arm & Hammer deodorizing air freshener contains baking soda, which reduces odors by up to 70%! It comes in an easy-to-use aerosol container and has a light, refreshing scent that starts working right away. It can be used in many ways, whether you want to keep the kitchen trash can smelling fresh or need to eliminate odors after a diaper change.
Key Benefits & Features
Instantly deodorizes
Neutralizes odors with the power of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda
The aerosol is easy to use, even if you have limited hand or finger mobility
Hear it from a caregiver
“[I] recently purchased two cans for the purpose of “poopy” smells. Great job by Arm & Hammer! Quick short bursts and the smells are gone!”
- Linda S.
Price: $5.42
4) Seventh Generation Laundry Stain Remover Spray
Sometimes, urine and fecal voids leak out of incontinence products onto bedding, like sheets, blankets, and pillows. You might worry that these items are unsalvageable, but with Seventh Generation laundry stain remover spray, there’s nothing to worry about!
This product is specifically formulated to treat even the toughest stains, ensuring your loved one’s bedding stays fresh and clean. It’s made of non-toxic, plant-based ingredients so you don’t have to worry about lingering smells or unwanted chemicals.
Key Benefits & Features
Contains no dyes or fragrances
Lifts even the toughest stains
Equipped with plant-based enzymes
Price: $47.82
5) McKesson Multi-Fold Paper Towels
As a family caregiver, you know accidents can happen at any time. These McKesson paper towels are a lifesaver, especially if your loved one has difficulty getting to the toilet or experiences regular urinary voids. They absorb liquids quickly making it easy to contain spills and are an excellent addition to any bathroom or diaper changing area.
Key Benefits & Features
Made from sustainable, Rapidly Renewable Fiber (RRF)
Fully embossed
Each package contains 250 paper towels
Hear it from a caregiver
“[These] work well for messes and as napkins!”
- Jessica L.
Price: $3.49
6) Janibell Bag Liners (Odor-Blocking Disposal Bags)
Changing absorbent underwear several times daily creates a lot of waste. Unfortunately, it also means you might need to buy more trash bags. Instead of throwing away a new trash bag after every change, consider purchasing these Janibell bag liners.
Specifically designed for the Janibell Acord Incontinence Disposal System, (read more below), these odor-blocking disposal bags help support incontinence. They’re strong and stretch-resistant and have a double-sealing system that traps odors, keeping your bathroom or diaper changing area fresh and clean.
Key Benefits & Features
Securely hold soiled incontinence products without breaking, tearing, or falling apart
30 full bags per package
Eco-friendly - liners are made from 20% recycled material
Hear it from a caregiver
“[These] bag liners are super! Odor protected. Easy to install. Bravo!”
- Alice J.
7) Janibell Acord Incontinence Disposal System
The Janibell Acord Incontinence Disposal System is designed to make changes easy, sanitary, and discrete. The 7-gallon container holds Janibell Bag Liners (see above) and makes it a cinch to dispose of adult incontinence products, like pull-ups, diapers with tabs, and briefs.
The container has a foot pedal that opens the lid and features a double-sealing system that traps unpleasant odors. Once a liner is full, simply open the door, pull out the bag, and replace it. The process is quick, convenient, and mess-free.
Key Benefits & Features
Hands-free disposal: No exposure to urine or feces when emptying the pail
Comes with 1 starter liner for immediate use
Continuous liner system eliminates waste, saving you money on trash bags
Hear it from a caregiver
“This is a game changer! No more smelly messes coming from my bathroom. Let me tell you, I’ve tried all kinds of automatic trash cans with lids. This is one of the best things I’ve ever bought. No more embarrassing smells.”
- June L.
8) McKesson Latex-Free Vinyl Gloves (To Protect Your Hands While Cleaning)
Incontinence care is messy, but a quality pair of gloves makes all the difference! These McKesson vinyl gloves have a beaded cuff and a smooth inner and outer surface. They don’t contain latex, so you don’t have to worry about irritating your or your loved one’s skin.
Put a pair on before diaper changes or when cleaning up messes to avoid coming into contact with germs.
Key Benefits & Features
Powder-free
Ambidextrous (fit on either the left or right hand)
Available in various sizes, from small to extra large
Hear it from a caregiver
“These work wonderfully! I use them not only for giving personal care but [also find] them great to use when doing other work during these chapped hands time! With the winter weather drying them out, these work wonderfully in protecting my hands from splitting! Great quality and now one of my favorites!”
- Nancy B.
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To access even more cleaning and odor control products, click here. Our website features an entire section dedicated to caregiver protection, odor prevention, and stain control.
Get Fast, Free Shipping & 30% Off With Autoship
If you care for a loved one with incontinence, you need to have odor control and cleaning supplies on hand. We offer fast, free shipping on orders $49+, and signing up for Autoship is an easy way to ensure you have the products you need exactly when you need them. Some products even qualify for an additional 5% off every order.
Additional Tips for Managing Incontinence-Related Odors
The above products make incontinence care and cleaning easier, but urine and fecal odors can still arise. Thankfully, there are things you can do to prevent them from lingering in your home. Our top tips:
Address leaks quickly
When your loved one has an accident or experiences leakage, be sure to act quickly. Use paper towels to soak up as much of the void as possible. When left to sit, urine attracts bacteria and other microorganisms that make the smell even worse. Prompt action won’t prevent smells altogether, but it will make them more bearable.
Open windows for fresh air
Fresh air does wonders for stagnant smells caused by urine and feces. Open your windows to increase airflow throughout your home. Depending on where you live and the time of year, this might not always be an option. Still, it’s worth trying when the weather cooperates.
Run a fan
Where do you complete most diaper changes? The bathroom? Bedroom? Or somewhere else? If you haven’t already, try installing a fan in this area. Any type of fan will do –– portable, box, or ceiling. Although it won’t eliminate odors completely, a fan increases airflow and prevents smells from stagnating.
Use an air freshener and/or light a candle
Smells sometimes linger, even after cleaning and improved airflow. In these instances, try lighting a scented candle or spraying an air freshener. Candles and air fresheners won’t eliminate odors, but they can help minimize them so your home smells pleasant.
We Can Help You Choose Cleaning and Odor Control Products!
Selecting the right products for your loved one is challenging at any time. But if you’ve recently started incontinence care, it can be even more so. With so many options, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Our friendly Care Team is happy to answer your questions and make product recommendations. Contact them 24/7 by calling (800) 696-CARE or sending an email to support@carewell.com
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Medically Reviewed by Kiera Powell, R.N.
Chad Birt is a freelance medical writer who resides in Astoria, Oregon. When he isn't behind a keyboard, you can find him hiking, camping, or birdwatching with his wife Ella and their two dogs, Diane and Thoreau.
Chad Birt is a freelance medical writer who resides in Astoria, Oregon. When he isn't behind a keyboard, you can find him hiking, camping, or birdwatching with his wife Ella and their two dogs, Diane and Thoreau.