Other uses for Disposable Diapers?

April 26, 2008 9:02 AM

Other uses for Disposable Diapers?

I bought a case of disposable diapers on eBay only to discover that one of the sleeves had already been opened. I won't use these diapers on my baby, but don't want to throw them out either. Do you know of other great uses for disposable baby diapers?

posted by vermontlife to home & garden (18 comments total)

Do you live in a flood plane?
posted by mpls2 at 9:11 AM on April 26, 2008

Disposable diapers are designed to accomplish one task, and do that task really well.

If you're not going to use them, the best bet would be to donate them or give them to a family that will make use of them.

Unless there's something obviously wrong with the diapers, what's the problem with just using them?
posted by gwenzel at 9:11 AM on April 26, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

A few could go in the first aid kit in the car.
posted by winston at 9:21 AM on April 26, 2008

Use them to clean up vomit or other large chunky messes, where paper towels are too flimsy.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 9:24 AM on April 26, 2008

When changing oil in my car, I place a diaper around the area where the oil filter is, so when I unscrew it, the spilled oil gets soaked up and leaves the surrounding area clean.
posted by jaimev at 9:29 AM on April 26, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Wrap one around a leaky pipe.
posted by HotPatatta at 9:35 AM on April 26, 2008

Stick them around your water heater for extra insulation. :)
posted by HotPatatta at 9:37 AM on April 26, 2008

Do you have any cats or small dogs that you sometimes take in the car in a carrier? I've always lined the bottom of the pet carrier with disposable diapers to absorb any "accidents" (I've never yet had a cat that didn't go absolutely ape when put in the car.)
posted by Oriole Adams at 9:39 AM on April 26, 2008

So my dad has been subscribing to Reader's Digest for a bazillion years and whenever I forget to bring a book while visiting his house, my choices of reading material are limited to his hunting magazines or good ole' RD. Anyway, I remember reading an article in there called "Extraordinary uses for diapers" and yep, here it is on their website.

They suggest using a clean diaper as a heating pad, a vacation plant waterer, or as packing material for fragile things. Details at the above link.
posted by jamaro at 9:49 AM on April 26, 2008

You can also do science experiments with them.
posted by jamaro at 9:52 AM on April 26, 2008

I was just about to suggest what jamaro did. The water absorbing part of the diaper has loads of potential for amusement. Recently I was told by a Forest Service person that they can spray that filling on houses that are in the path of forest fires. They wet it down and the stuff protects the house as the fire blows past.
posted by R. Mutt at 10:09 AM on April 26, 2008

Hello folks, I did try to donate them, and Goodwill didn't want them either. I don't feel comfortable using them on the baby... I don't have any good reasons, just a feeling. Excellent ideas in the links provided and the suggestions above. Thanks!
posted by vermontlife at 12:39 PM on April 26, 2008

My boss took a bar of Snickers, which he melted in the microwave and "poured" it in a sample diaper he got by mail. "Look! They sent us a pre-used diaper," he said while showing his artistic creation to everyone.

Yes, this happened for real.
posted by remi at 12:56 PM on April 26, 2008

If you know anyone who owns horses they'll probably take them off your hands for making poultices. Diapers are great for that.
posted by fshgrl at 1:48 PM on April 26, 2008

Remi, your boss IS Michael Scott.

I understand what you're saying VTlife. This is kinda gross, but it is a REALLY good idea.

Since you're probably a diaper vet, you KNOW that diapers are EXCELLENT at trapping liquids, but letting go of smells.

Take something you really enjoy smelling (roses, oranges, lemons, etc). Put it in the blender with some water. Filter it(or not). Take the liquid and put it into the diaper.

NOW HIDE IT (maybe in a vent)

This has potential to make you "those people". But your house will smell really nice.

Seriously, this is the best idea I could come up with for a Diaper.

Good luck, and tell me how it turns out.
posted by hal_c_on at 2:50 PM on April 26, 2008

You can put one in the bottom of a planter, and then proceed to fill the planter with dirt and plant normally. It creates sort of a water reserve in the bottom of the pot and encourages the plant roots to grow down.
posted by Ostara at 2:59 PM on April 26, 2008

Why do you think something is wrong with the diapers? Does something about the ebay sellers feedback indicate that they have a history of putting itching powder in their merchandise? Did you contact the seller to complain about the opened merchandise? Can you return the diapers for a refund?

Contact a charity group that serves women and children. NOT a thrift store. A homeless shelter or battered women's shelter would be a good place to start. Once you confirm that they can use disposable diapers, ask what else they can use...toiletries, food, a cash donation. Make a visit to the shelter with the diapers and and other donations. Then count your blessings that you live in a developed Western culture.

Another option is to give the diapers away on Freecycle. You will probably have dozens of people willing to accept a give of free diapers.

With the high number of women and children in the United States living on and beyond the brink of poverty, it is completely ludicrous to consider wasting a case of diapers.
posted by pluckysparrow at 4:11 PM on April 26, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

Keep them in the trunk of the car in case of emergency. Not just for the baby- you know there's gonna be times when you yourself will wish you had them.
posted by proj08 at 4:14 PM on April 26, 2008