A potty training clean-up kit is a caddy kept in the room where leaks are most likely, so you can deal with one calmly without hunting for supplies. Fill it with cloths, a wet bag, spare clothes and a pad or two, and follow the same short routine each time. Here is what to pack, how to handle hard floors and carpet, and a smaller version for the car.
Why a ready kit keeps everyone calm
Few things raise the tension like a puddle spreading while you run around looking for paper towels. Your child is standing there wet and watching your face, and your mood sets theirs.
With a kit in reach, you can stay matter-of-fact: here is what we need, here is what we do. It also means that the clean-up is no big deal for you, which is the message you want your child to take away. If your home has more than one level, a small kit on each level saves trips up and down the stairs.
What goes in the kit
Any basket, bin or caddy with a handle will do. A starter checklist:
- A spare outfit in your child's size: underwear or training pants, pants, socks and a shirt.
- Baby wipes or damp cloths for your child's skin.
- Paper towels or old towels for the floor.
- A waterproof wet bag for soiled clothes; one option is Voccos Waterproof Wet Dry Bags, Black and Grey, 2 Pack.
- A small garbage bag for wipes and paper towels.
- An absorbent pad for the sofa, a chair or the floor where your child plays.
Leave household cleaner out of the caddy. Store it up high or locked away, out of your child's reach, and bring it out only for the floor step. Keep the caddy itself on a shelf your child cannot reach, because plastic bags are not safe for young children to handle.
For the pad, there are two routes: washable or disposable. A washable underpad can be laundered and reused on the sofa or play area. A disposable one, such as Purenexus Health Disposable Underpads, 23 x 36 in, 50 Count, goes into the garbage after one use. Choose whichever fits your laundry routine, and check the product page for details.
A simple routine: child first, floor second
Keep the order the same each time, so the routine runs by itself:
- Stay calm and say something neutral, like your pants are wet, let's get you dry.
- Move your child to a spot that is easy to clean, such as a bathroom floor or a towel.
- Help take off the wet clothes and clean the skin with wipes or a damp cloth.
- Put on dry clothes.
- Let your child help with a small job, like carrying a towel to the wet bag, framed as helping rather than as a consequence.
- Clean the floor once your child is dressed and comfortable.
- Wash your hands and theirs.
Hard floors vs carpet and rugs
The surface decides how you clean.
- Hard floors: soak up the liquid with towels or paper towels, then wipe with a cleaner that suits the floor, following the label. Dry the spot afterwards so nobody slips.
- Carpet and rugs: blot rather than rub, and use a carpet cleaner as directed on its label. Test a hidden corner first.
During the first underwear days, you can play on hard floors where possible, or place an underpad under the play area on carpet. A disposable underpad is handy for corners and rugs you do not want to lift.
Wet clothes: into a wet bag until wash day
A waterproof wet bag contains wet clothes and keeps them away from other things in your bag or laundry area. When you get a moment:
- Shake solids into the toilet.
- Put the clothes in the wet bag and close it.
- Empty and wash everything at the next laundry day, rather than leaving the bag for long.
- Wash the wet bag itself following its care label.
Follow the garment care labels and your detergent directions for the wash.
What to say in the moment
Short, kind and factual is the goal. A few lines to keep handy:
- Your pants are wet. Let's change them.
- Your body is still learning.
- We will try again soon.
Avoid words like bad, naughty or messy, and leave out sighs and eye-rolls. Your child will pick up on those, too. If you are frustrated, take a breath before you speak.
Shop this guide
- Nora's Nursery Wet Dry Bag, 2 Zippered Pockets, 11 x 15 in, Garden, 2-Pack (ships via Amazon)
- Improvia Positioning Bed Pad with 8 Handles, Quick-Drying, Green, 2 Pack (ships via Amazon)
- Pampers Free and Gentle Plant-Based Wipes, 468 Count, 6 Pack (ships via Amazon)
- Incontinence Bed Pads Disposable, 23in x 36in, 50 Count (ships via Amazon)
- See all: Cloth Diaper Accessories
- See all: Washable Underpads & Bed Pads
- See all: Baby Wipes
- See all: Disposable Underpads
Prices are on each product page. Free shipping on orders of $100 or more within Canada.
A smaller version for the car
A pouch in the car makes outings easier. Pack a wet bag, a spare outfit, a small garbage bag and a few wipes in a zip pouch; the baby wipes collection has packs to refill it from.
A few notes:
- Check your car seat manual before putting anything under or behind a child in a harness.
- In winter, keep the pouch indoors until you leave, so wipes do not sit in a very cold car.
- Refill it as soon as you get home, so it is ready next time.
Common questions
How many spare outfits should I pack?
Start with two sets in the home kit and one in the car, and adjust to your child's day.
Should my child help clean up?
Small jobs, such as carrying a cloth, can be fine when framed as helping. Never use clean-up as a punishment.
Do I need both washable and disposable pads?
No. Pick one that fits your routine, or keep a washable pad at home and a few disposable ones for outings.
What if a leak happens in public?
Use the car or bag kit, find a washroom, and keep your tone calm. If you are worried about frequent leaks, ask your doctor or nurse.
Not sure what to put in your kit? Message us through our contact page and we will reply within one business day.