wet pail

English

Etymology

From wet +‎ pail.

Noun

wet pail (plural wet pails)

1. (slang, uncommon) Any diaper pail that contains water.
   • 2011, Peggy Wilson, The Naturally Frugal Baby, 2 edition, Lulu.com, →ISBN, page 93:

     Dry pail versus wet pail: In a dry pail system, the dirty diapers and cloth wipes are just placed in a diaper pail, with no extra water. In a wet pail system, the diaper pail contains a diaper soaking solution—water with some borax added, usually, that helps clean the diapers while they are waiting to be washed.

   • 2017 July 24, Stephanie Planchak, ClothDiaperKids.com‎^[1]:

     You do not need to use a wet pail to soak your diapers in water or any other solution between washings. This is no longer necessary with the great washing machines we have today and it is a drowning hazard for curious toddlers, not to mention yucky to have to drain and clean.

   • 2021, Bailey Bouwman, Cloth Diapers: The Ultimate Guide to Textiles, Washing & More, Simply Bailey Social Marketing, →ISBN, page 195:

     Wet pails have largely fallen out of favour. Many families successfully store dirty diapers in a wet bag or dry pail and wash on wash day. Modern washing machines, detergent, and changes in diapers has made this an unnecessary step for some families.

Usage notes

• Used principally in the context of dry pails.

Verb

wet pail (third-person singular simple present wet pails, present participle wet pailing, simple past and past participle wet pailed)

1. (slang, rare) To use a wet pail.