Catheter Care and Disposal: Essential Guide for Users and Caregivers

For the estimated 90,000 people living with long-term urinary catheters in the UK, daily care and disposal routines become second nature. But whether you're newly catheterised, caring for someone with a catheter, or simply looking to improve your current routine, getting the basics right makes all the difference.

This guide covers everything you need to know — from daily hygiene and infection prevention to the often-overlooked question of how to dispose of catheter bags discreetly and hygienically.

Understanding Urinary Catheters

A urinary catheter is a thin, flexible tube inserted into the bladder to drain urine. It's used when the bladder can't empty properly on its own — whether due to surgery, nerve damage, prostate issues, or other medical conditions.

Types of Catheters

Indwelling (Foley) catheters remain in place continuously, held by a small water-filled balloon inside the bladder. These are the most common type for long-term use and are typically changed every 4–12 weeks by a healthcare professional.

Intermittent catheters are inserted several times a day to drain the bladder, then removed. Many people learn to do this themselves — a process called clean intermittent self-catheterisation (CISC).

Suprapubic catheters are inserted through a small incision in the abdomen rather than through the urethra. These may be recommended for long-term use or when urethral catheterisation isn't suitable.

External (condom) catheters fit over the penis and connect to a drainage bag. These are used for men with incontinence rather than urinary retention.

Why Might Someone Need a Catheter?

Common reasons include:

• Urinary retention — when the bladder can't empty properly
• After surgery — particularly abdominal or pelvic procedures
• Spinal cord injury or neurological conditions — affecting bladder control
• Prostate enlargement — causing obstruction
• Severe incontinence — when other management options aren't suitable
• Monitoring urine output — in critically ill patients

For many people, catheterisation is temporary. But around 90,000 people in the UK use long-term catheters in community settings, with prevalence as high as 10.8% on district nursing caseloads.

The Importance of Good Catheter Care

Having a catheter significantly increases the risk of urinary tract infection. In fact, catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are the most common type of healthcare-associated infection — accounting for up to 40% of hospital-acquired infections.

The risk increases by 3–7% for every day the catheter remains in place. That's why good daily care isn't just about comfort — it's essential for preventing potentially serious infections.

Signs of Infection to Watch For

Contact your GP, district nurse, or healthcare provider if you notice:

• Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
• Blood in urine (unless you've been told to expect this)
• Fever or chills
• Pain in your lower back or abdomen
• Feeling generally unwell
• Confusion (particularly in older adults)
• Urine leaking around the catheter

Not all bacteria in catheter urine indicate infection — most long-term catheter users will have some bacteria present without symptoms. But if you develop symptoms, seek advice promptly. Untreated CAUTIs can lead to serious complications including kidney infection and sepsis.

Daily Catheter Care: Step by Step

Good hygiene is your best defence against infection. Here's how to care for your catheter properly.

Hand Hygiene

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water:

• Before and after touching your catheter or drainage bags
• Before and after emptying your bag
• After using the toilet

This single step prevents most infections. Use the full handwashing technique — wet hands, apply soap, rub all surfaces for at least 20 seconds, rinse thoroughly, and dry with a clean towel.

Cleaning the Catheter Entry Site

Daily cleaning of the area where the catheter enters your body is essential:

1. Wash the area with warm water and mild, unperfumed soap
2. For urethral catheters: clean around the urethra, washing away from the body
3. For men: retract the foreskin, clean underneath, then replace it
4. For women: always clean from front to back
5. Clean the catheter tube itself, wiping away from your body
6. Rinse with clean warm water
7. Dry thoroughly with a clean towel

Avoid antiseptic solutions, talcum powder, and perfumed products — these can irritate the skin and damage the catheter.

Bathing and Showering

You can shower or bathe with a catheter in place. Keep your leg bag attached during bathing. After washing:

• Rinse thoroughly
• Dry the catheter entry site completely
• Check for any redness, swelling, or discharge around the site

Staying Hydrated

Drinking plenty of fluids — at least 1.5–2 litres daily unless advised otherwise — helps:

• Keep urine flowing freely
• Flush bacteria from the bladder
• Reduce the risk of catheter blockage

Water is best, but cranberry juice and vitamin C-rich drinks may also help reduce debris buildup.

Preventing Constipation

A full bowel can press on the catheter and bladder, causing:

• Reduced urine drainage
• Bypassing (leakage around the catheter)
• Discomfort

Maintain a high-fibre diet, stay hydrated, and speak to your GP if constipation becomes a problem.

Managing Drainage Bags

Catheter bags collect the urine that drains from your bladder. Getting the routine right keeps everything hygienic and reduces infection risk.

Types of Bags

Leg bags are worn during the day, strapped to your thigh or calf. They hold around 350–750ml and should be changed every 5–7 days (check manufacturer's instructions).

Night bags are larger (usually 2 litres) and connect to your leg bag while you sleep. Single-use night bags should be disposed of each morning. Reusable night bags can be used for up to 7 days if rinsed daily.

Catheter valves are an alternative to leg bags. They attach to the catheter and allow you to control when you drain your bladder — helping maintain bladder tone. Valves are changed every 5–7 days but aren't suitable for everyone.

Positioning Your Bag

Always keep the drainage bag below bladder level — this allows gravity to drain urine properly. Never let the bag touch the floor, as this increases contamination risk.

At night, hang the night bag on a catheter stand beside your bed, ensuring the tubing has no kinks or twists.

Emptying Your Bag

Empty your leg bag when it's around half to three-quarters full — don't let it become completely full, as this can cause backflow.

To empty:

1. Wash your hands
2. Position the outlet tap over a clean container or toilet
3. Open the tap and let urine drain completely
4. Close the tap securely
5. If using a container, empty it into the toilet and clean the container
6. Wash your hands again

Changing Leg Bags

Leg bags should be changed every 5–7 days. Your district nurse will show you how, and you can do this yourself once confident.

To change:

1. Wash your hands thoroughly
2. Have the new bag ready with the protective cap removed
3. Point the catheter upward to prevent leakage
4. Carefully disconnect the old bag from the catheter
5. Clean the catheter tip with an alcohol wipe if advised
6. Connect the new bag, ensuring a secure fit
7. Position and strap the new bag to your leg
8. Dispose of the old bag (see disposal section below)
9. Wash your hands

Never disconnect the catheter from the bag unless necessary — maintaining a "closed system" is one of the most important ways to prevent infection.

Connecting Night Bags

Each evening:

1. Empty your leg bag
2. Connect the night bag to the leg bag outlet (not directly to the catheter)
3. Open the leg bag tap so urine drains into the night bag
4. Position the night bag on a stand, below bladder level

In the morning:

1. Close the leg bag tap
2. Disconnect and empty the night bag
3. Dispose of single-use bags appropriately

Disposing of Catheter Bags and Supplies

This is where many people struggle. Used catheter bags contain bodily fluids and need proper disposal — but the guidance isn't always clear.

What the Regulations Say

In the UK, catheter bags from home use are classified as "offensive waste" rather than clinical waste — provided there's no diagnosed infection. This means they can go in your normal household waste (black bin) if handled correctly.

However, the bags must be:

• Emptied of urine first (into the toilet)
• Double-wrapped in plastic bags
• Sealed securely before placing in the bin

If you have a diagnosed infection, your healthcare provider may need to arrange separate clinical waste collection.

The Challenge of Discreet Disposal

Even when regulations allow household disposal, the reality is often unpleasant:

• Used bags can leak
• Odour can be a problem
• Standard plastic bags don't always contain smells
• Disposing away from home is difficult

This is exactly why we created HyGeeni disposal bags.

How HyGeeni Helps

HyGeeni bags are specifically designed for disposing of continence and catheter products:

• Opaque material — no one can see the contents
• Seal-shut closure — locks in odour and prevents leaks
• One-handed opening — practical when you need your other hand free
• Compact size — easy to carry in a bag for disposal away from home
• Sustainable materials — made from 55% sugarcane and 45% recycled plastic

Whether you're at home, visiting family, or travelling, HyGeeni makes disposal simple and dignified.

Shop HyGeeni here →

Disposing of Other Supplies

Packaging and outer wrappers — recycle where possible, or dispose with household waste.

Sharps (if you use intermittent catheters or injectable medications) — these must go in a proper sharps bin, available on prescription. Never put sharps in household waste. When full, your GP practice or pharmacy can arrange collection.

Gloves and wipes — can go in household waste, double-bagged.

Common Problems and Solutions

Even with good care, catheter problems can occur. Here's how to handle the most common issues.

No Urine Draining

If your bag isn't filling:

1. Check for kinks — is the tubing twisted or bent?
2. Check bag position — is it below your bladder level?
3. Are you constipated? — a full bowel can block drainage
4. Have you been drinking enough? — aim for 1.5–2 litres daily
5. Try moving around — this can dislodge minor blockages

If nothing drains and you feel pain or fullness, contact your district nurse or GP urgently. A blocked catheter may need flushing or replacing.

Urine Leaking Around the Catheter

Small leaks (bypassing) can happen, especially with new catheters as your bladder adjusts. Check:

• The catheter isn't blocked
• The drainage bag is below bladder level
• There are no kinks in the tubing
• You're not constipated

Bladder spasms can also cause leaking — speak to your GP if this is persistent, as medication may help.

The Catheter Falls Out

This is rare with indwelling catheters, but if it happens:

• Don't try to reinsert it yourself
• Contact your district nurse or GP immediately
• If outside surgery hours, contact NHS 111

Pain or Discomfort

Some discomfort is normal with new catheters. However, contact your healthcare provider if you experience:

• Severe or persistent pain
• Burning sensation
• Pain that worsens over time
• Pain with signs of infection (fever, cloudy urine)

Living Well with a Catheter

A catheter doesn't have to limit your life. With good management, most people can:

Stay Active

You can exercise, swim (with appropriate precautions), and maintain your normal activities. Secure your leg bag well during physical activity to prevent pulling.

Travel

Plan ahead:

• Pack extra supplies — bags, straps, wipes, and HyGeeni disposal bags
• Carry a letter from your GP explaining your medical needs (useful for airport security)
• Know how to access healthcare at your destination
• Stay hydrated, especially on flights

Maintain Intimacy

Sexual activity is possible with a catheter. Talk to your healthcare provider about what's safe for your situation. Many people find suprapubic catheters more practical for intimacy than urethral catheters.

Get Support

Living with a catheter can be challenging emotionally as well as practically. Support is available:

• Bladder & Bowel UK — bladderandbowel.org — helpline and resources
• District nursing teams — your main point of contact for catheter care
• Continence advisory services — available through most NHS trusts

Tips for Caregivers

If you're caring for someone with a catheter, your role is crucial in preventing infection and maintaining comfort.

Training

Ask the district nursing team for proper training on:

• Emptying and changing bags
• Recognising signs of infection
• Knowing when to seek help

Record Keeping

Keep a diary noting:

• When bags are changed
• Any problems or changes in urine
• Catheter change dates

A catheter passport — available from your healthcare provider — is a useful document that records catheter details and care instructions. It should travel with the patient to all healthcare appointments.

Hygiene

Always wash your hands before and after catheter care. Wear disposable gloves if preferred, but hand hygiene is still essential before and after glove use.

Supporting Independence

Where possible, encourage the person you're caring for to be involved in their own care. Independence is important for dignity and wellbeing.

When to Contact Your Healthcare Provider

Reach out to your district nurse, GP, or catheter care team if:

• You notice signs of infection
• The catheter is blocked or not draining
• There's persistent bypassing (leakage around the catheter)
• The catheter falls out
• You see blood in the urine (unless expected)
• There's increasing pain or discomfort
• You have any concerns about catheter care

In an emergency — severe pain, inability to pass urine, high fever, or feeling very unwell — contact NHS 111 or attend A&E.

A Note from HyGeeni

We created HyGeeni because everyone deserves dignified, hygienic disposal — whether you're managing incontinence products, catheter bags, or stoma supplies.

Our bags are:

• Opaque — contents stay private
• Seal-shut — odour and leaks are contained
• One-handed opening — practical for real life
• Sustainably made — 55% sugarcane, 45% recycled plastic

From The FabBag Company — the same team behind FabLittleBag for period products — we understand that these everyday moments matter.

Shop HyGeeni here →

The Bottom Line

Good catheter care comes down to a few consistent habits:

1. Wash your hands — before and after every contact
2. Keep everything clean — daily washing of the catheter site
3. Maintain a closed system — only disconnect bags when necessary
4. Position bags correctly — always below bladder level
5. Stay hydrated — to keep urine flowing
6. Dispose hygienically — empty bags, double-wrap, and use HyGeeni for discreet disposal
7. Know the warning signs — and act quickly if you suspect infection

With the right care, a catheter doesn't have to hold you back. It's simply part of managing your health — and with good routines, it becomes just another part of daily life.

Need hygienic disposal for catheter bags and continence products? HyGeeni disposal bags make it simple, discreet, and dignified — at home and on the go.

Questions about bulk orders for care homes or healthcare settings? Get in touch at hello@fablittlebag.com.