Review: Munchkin Arm & Hammer Diaper Pail

This is a repost of my review on Amazon of the new Munchkin Arm & Hammer Diaper Pail.  I felt pretty strongly about it so I thought it was worth sharing.





We have 2 kids and over the last three years have owned or used at least 6 diaper pails including the Munchkin Arm & Hammer Diaper Pail.  They are (ranked in order of preference):

Diaper Genie II Elite
Diaper Dekor Plus
Baby Trend Diaper Champ Deluxe
Diaper Genie II
Munchkin Arm & Hammer Diaper Pail 
Playtex Diaper Genie Twist- Away Pail System

Topline:
- The Munchkin Arm & Hammer Diaper Pail is OK, but I wouldn't recommend it.

Pros:
- The baking soda is an interesting concept for odor control
- It is great that the baking soda cartridge is refillable vs. having to purchase another one.

Cons:
- The lower compartment is maddeningly easy for babies/toddlers to open (and apparently fascinating) which allows them access to the plastic film bag underneath. This seems like a serious safety issue. ** (see note below)
- Despite the baking soda, there is no real difference in odor control.  Plus since the bags are a set size so you can't do a "short bag" if you drop in something really stinky.
- Pail is very short (just above knee level on someone 5' 3") and when you have to push the diaper through you have to bend even farther.
- Top hatch is difficult to open with the one hand that is also holding a diaper (since the other hand should be holding the baby on the changing table)
- The "squish" factor involved with pushing a wet (or poopy) diaper through the chute is pretty gross and you can't get a diaper in without touching the bag.
- Base is wider than most so it takes up more floor space in apartments and/or small nurseries.
- You go through the baking soda very quickly.

Aside from my concern with the safety of the accessibility of the lower compartment to small children (maybe I just have a dud pail), I would say this pail is OK.   It does the job, but it would not be my first choice.  If the baking soda really works I wish Arm & Hammer (or Munchkin) would just sell the refillable dispenser to stick in the top of my regular diaper pails.

**  Munchkin was very quick to respond to my concern regarding the door and said that they have improved the design to make a truly child-proof lock.