Types of Urine Drainage Bags
If you use an indwelling (Foley) or suprapubic catheter, you need a drainage bag to collect urine. Choosing the right bag affects your comfort, skin health, and risk of infection. Here’s what you need to know about each type.
Leg Bags
Worn on the thigh or calf during the day, leg bags are designed to be discreet under clothing:
- Capacity: Typically 350-1000mL (most common is 500-750mL)
- Attachment: Straps (fabric, latex-free elastic, or Velcro), buttons, or adhesive strips
- Drainage valve: Twist valve, lever tap, or push-pull — choose one you can operate with your hand dexterity
- Tubing length: Short for thigh wear, longer for calf wear
Tips for leg bag comfort:
- Alternate legs daily to prevent skin irritation
- Use fabric-backed bags to reduce sweating and skin contact
- Ensure straps aren’t too tight — you should fit one finger underneath
- Empty when half to two-thirds full — a heavy bag pulls on the catheter
Night/Bedside Bags
Larger bags used overnight or when staying in one place:
- Capacity: 2000-4000mL — enough for overnight without waking to empty
- Stand or hanger: Use a bedside stand or hook on the bed frame
- Anti-reflux valve: Prevents urine flowing back toward the bladder — reduces infection risk
- Connection: Connects to your leg bag’s outlet or directly to the catheter
Critical rule: The bag must ALWAYS be below the level of your bladder. Urine flowing backward is a major infection risk.
Belly Bags
Worn around the waist under clothing:
- Good for wheelchair users who can’t easily access leg bags
- More discreet for some body types
- Smaller capacity than leg bags (typically 300-500mL)
Closed System vs. Open System
- Closed system: The bag connects to the catheter and stays connected until the entire bag is changed. Reduces infection risk but costs more.
- Open system: The bag can be disconnected, emptied, and reconnected. Each disconnection is a potential infection entry point.
- Best practice: Use closed systems when possible. If using open systems, clean connection points with alcohol swabs before reconnecting.
Caring for Your Drainage Bags
Single-Use vs. Reusable
- Most leg bags can be used for 5-7 days with proper cleaning
- Night bags are typically single-use (dispose daily) or reusable for up to 7 days
- Replace immediately if: bag is discoloured, has persistent odour after cleaning, valve is sticky, or bag is damaged
Cleaning Reusable Bags
- Rinse with cool tap water immediately after disconnecting
- Fill with a solution of 1 part white vinegar to 3 parts water
- Soak for 30 minutes
- Rinse thoroughly with cool water
- Hang to air dry completely
- Do NOT use hot water (can warp the bag) or bleach (damages the material)
Preventing Infections
- Empty regularly: Don’t let the bag get more than three-quarters full
- Don’t touch the drainage spout: When emptying, don’t let it touch the toilet or collection container
- Wash hands before and after handling bags
- Keep below bladder level at all times — including during transfers
- Secure tubing to prevent pulling on the catheter or kinking
- Report changes: Cloudy urine, blood, sediment, or foul odour — see our UTI prevention guide
Choosing the Right Bag
- Hand dexterity: If grip is limited, choose larger tap valves or lever-style drains
- Skin sensitivity: Fabric-backed bags and latex-free straps reduce irritation
- Activity level: Smaller leg bags for active days; larger for sedentary periods
- Wheelchair users: Belly bags or calf-mounted leg bags are often most practical
- Sleep: Always switch to a night bag — leg bags are too small for overnight
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