Cost-Effective Alternatives to Colostomy Bag Liners

If you are using the disposable pouch liners that are flushable instead of a drainable pouch, you can also use the small bags that people use when walking their dogs. Instead of them costing 20 cents a piece, they cost 1.5 cents a piece and work just as well. They are also biodegradable. Just cut the ties off and put them in the pouch just as they come from the box, and stretch them over the opening of the pouch and snap it in place (for 2-piece systems and not advisable where septic tanks are in use). When a change is needed, just pull them out of the pouch and flush away. Put in a new one and you are on your way.

The only problem with these is if you have roots in your line and they get hung up, causing a flood of poo in your house. Another issue would be if you have a sluggish line and a 1.6-gallon toilet. If you pour a gallon of water 80 feet, you will see how much is made. I would know this because I worked for a company that cleaned out the line connecting your house to the city sewer, and I have seen a lot that doesn't belong in the poo pipe.

That's why I said not to be used with septic systems. I have been using them for 5 years now without any problem so far.

I am on the city sewer system here.

Good luck.

I think liners are an amazing idea. I have never heard of this, but I can't imagine using doggie bags! I spend a lot of money on wipes etc., cleaning out my bags and if there is something I can just pull out and flush, amazing.
Soapie

My Ostomy Journey: Kimberly | Hollister

A genuine question: What is the benefit of having a liner? I think I'm missing the appeal of them.

I use one piece or two pieces and usually change every second or third day. Are people using them for more than a week at a time or something?

Regarding those ostomy bag liners (I'm a colostomate, not an ileostomate), I've been using these disposable bag liners that are specifically designed for ostomy bags. I have also tried the dog poo pickup bags from a dollar store that you guys (y'all) suggested I try. I did not like the way they work. They are just a tad thicker than the ones I get from Canada, and they interfere with the connection between the Hollister bag and the wafer, so they can and do pop free. Not a great thing to have happen at any time. Fortunately, I was at home when it occurred.

The other factor is that the commercially prepared ones have a clever arrangement so that gas can escape without letting the poop escape with it.

I've been unhappy with Hollister's and all the other manufacturers' venting abilities in the past. But with a liner, they continue to work indefinitely. This way, I can wear my wafer for the same ten days and use only two bags during that same ten-day period. Of course, I now go through fifteen to twenty of the disposable liners in those ten days, but at only thirty cents apiece, that is quite a bit less expensive than my copay for the bags.

I've tried them, and I like the Colo-Majic liners. I do not like the doggy poo bags. But they do make great disposal bags for other stuff. I just put an empty pouch into the doggy bag, twist it shut, and throw it out. I do not flush them, though. Being a little heavier in construction, I am just a bit doubtful of their ability to make it safely out through our waste/sewer system.

That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

NT

Hello,
I used to work for Roto Rooter, and 99% of the stuff they say you can flush is a no-no. The only things flushable are the 3 Ps (poo, paper, and pee). When they do their tests, it's on perfect lines, and they use lots of water. The simple way that most don't understand is that we went from a 5-gallon flushing toilet to 1.6 and now down to 1.2 gallons. So, if you want to see the math, take a gallon and 80 feet of pipe with a very slight grade and pour to see how the water flow sucks. So, I always told people to double flush, run lots of water to push things down the pipe to avoid big bills on easy maintenance. If you have an old house, go to the store, get a product called Robux Root Destroyer; it works great. Do that a couple of times a month, and it will help with getting rid of the roots. If you want a permanent thing, use salt; it will kill all the roots and whatever is connected to it.

Salt!!! Never heard of that but will try.

I have 2 PC bags and try to use the disposable bags but can't get the bag to snap together... Please, please, if you can help me... Thanks.