Reliance Double Doodie bags review

What it is and who it suits

Reliance describes Double Doodie as a leak-proof double lock system. The inner waste bag rolls up when filled, and an attached heavy-duty outer bag closes with a leak-proof double zip lock. The maker says each package holds 6 bags, that one bag holds up to 5 pounds of human waste and that the bags are compatible with its Fold-to-Go, Luggable Loo, Hunter's Loo and Hassock toilets and most other portable toilets.

This pick is a 2-pack, so 12 bags. It suits a household with a bucket toilet for a long outage or camping trip that wants something cleaner than a loose trash bag. This review is researched, not tested. It relies on Reliance's product pages and FAQ and on state and county health guidance.

The Bio-Gel question

The listing for this pick names Bio-Gel, a waste-gelling additive. Reliance's own page for the standard Double Doodie bag does not mention Bio-Gel; it describes a puncture-resistant waste bag and the double zip-lock outer bag. Reliance's page for the larger Double Doodie Plus does: it says Bio-Gel in each inner bag turns liquid waste to a gel and masks odors, and that each Plus bag holds up to 12 pounds.

So the maker's pages do not settle whether this exact pack includes gel. Check the front of the box when it arrives. If it does not, a bucket toilet still works, but you would add absorbent material yourself, as health agencies describe below.

Handling and disposal: what agencies say

King County, Washington, says to line a toilet bowl or 5-gallon pail with two heavy-duty plastic garbage bags and add cat litter, fireplace ashes or sawdust. At the end of each day the bagged waste should be securely tied and moved to a protected place, such as a garage or outbuilding, until a safe disposal option is available. Residents may use a working public sewer or septic system or bury the waste on their own property. During a declared emergency, bags may go in the regular garbage only if a public announcement allows it.

Be Ready Utah adds that when a bucket is full you should wear disposable gloves, eye protection and a mask, tie off the double bags securely and carry them outside still in the bucket. It warns not to carry the waste in a bag by itself, since a bag alone is more likely to break open. Follow your own local health department's instructions, and see our power outage checklist for the rest of the plan.

The limits

Reliance's pages give a 5-pound capacity per bag but do not say how many uses that means. The pack is bags only: no bucket, seat or lid. Bagged waste still needs a storage and disposal plan, which depends on where you live.

How it compares with the other picks

On our emergency toilet comparison, the Reliance Luggable Loo is the bucket these bags are made to fit, according to the maker. The Camco bucket toilets are similar buckets. The Camco detachable-tank toilet works differently: its tank is emptied rather than bagged. The Cleanwaste WAG Bag kit is a complete bag-based option, while the Double Doodie is a refill for a toilet you already have. If a boil water order is your concern, see our boil water advisory guide.

Verdict and who should skip it

A sensible refill for a bucket toilet, with a clear double-bag design, if you confirm the gel and plan for disposal. Skip it if you do not own a bucket toilet, if you want a single all-in-one kit, or if you need to know how many uses a bag allows.

Do Double Doodie bags fit a Luggable Loo?

Yes. Reliance says Double Doodie bags are compatible with its Fold-to-Go, Luggable Loo, Hunter's Loo and Hassock toilets and most other portable toilets.

How much does one bag hold?

Reliance says one standard Double Doodie bag holds up to 5 pounds of human waste. The larger Double Doodie Plus holds up to 12 pounds, according to the maker.

Do these bags contain Bio-Gel?

The listing names Bio-Gel, but Reliance's page for the standard Double Doodie bag does not mention it, while its Plus page does. Check the packaging on arrival, and add absorbent material if there is no gel.

Can I put the full bags in the trash?

Only if local officials say so. King County says bags may go with regular garbage during a declared emergency when a public announcement allows it. Otherwise follow your local health department.