how to empty a colostomy bag

2025-09-26
Author: Zodelo Ostomy

Timely and correct emptying of the stoma and stoma care are important factors in ensuring a comfortable life. Therefore, understanding the “how to empty a colostomy bag” is essential for both ostomy patients themselves and their family members. The steps for emptying the stoma vary from person to person. If there are any omissions or errors in the operation, it may lead to leakage or even damage to the stoma.

As a professional colostomy bag manufacturer, Zodelo has always been committed to the goal of providing customers with a comfortable experience. We do not merely offer ostomy product supplies, we also provide you with the latest information and knowledge about stomas In this article, Zodelo will tell you in detail how to empty a colostomy bag.

What is a colostomy bag?

1. The definition of a colostomy bag

Colostomy bags are medical supplies specially designed for patients who have undergone stoma surgery. They usually consist of a sealed collection bag and a bonded base plate. Some patients’ intestines or anus cannot be used due to diseases or trauma. Therefore, a stoma is made in the abdomen through surgery to discharge feces and urine. The stoma bag is the container for collecting these excretions.

2 Different types of colostomy bags

One-piece colostomy bag: The base of the one-piece colostomy bag is connected to the bag body and cannot be separated. It can be used as a whole. When replacing, it only needs to be directly torn off as a whole. The operation is simple, with few steps, and it is convenient and fast.
Two-piece colostomy bag: The base of the two-piece colostomy bag is separated from the bag body and used separately. The base can be reused multiple times when adhered to the skin. When replacing, only the bag body needs to be replaced, reducing the irritation to the stoma caused by frequent replacement and tearing of the base. It is more friendly to the skin and also more economical.
Drainable colostomy bag:The bottom of the drainable colostomy bag has an opening for discharging excrement and can be reused multiple times after being emptied. It does not need to be replaced frequently, reduces irritation to the stoma, is more skin-friendly and more economical.
Closed-end colostomy bag:The bottom of the Closed-end colostomy bag is sealed and cannot be discharged. Single-use, discard after use, convenient and fast, no need to empty and clean, simple to operate.

3.Why is a colostomy bag needed?

Some patients’ intestines or anus cannot be used due to diseases or trauma, so a stoma is made in the abdomen through surgery to discharge feces and urine. Since the stoma cannot be controlled, a stoma bag is needed to collect it at any time to prevent the discharge from contaminating the stoma skin and clothing. This is an indispensable and important partner for stoma patients.

When suffering from the following diseases such as colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colon cancer, intestinal obstruction, external trauma such as car accidents, knife wounds or gunshot wounds, and congenital megacolon, and unable to normally use the anorectal excretion function, a stoma and stoma bag must be used to excrete feces.

How To Empty A Colostomy Bag

1. Supplies for emptying a colostomy bag

New clean ostomy bag: Used to replace the old ostomy bag.
Wet wipes or soft cloths: used to wipe off residues and water stains at the bottom of the stoma.
Warm water: Used for cleaning the skin inside the colostomy bag and around the stoma.
Squeeze bottle: Helps pour clean water into the bag for cleaning.
Toilet or potty pot or: used to collect excrement discharged from the colostomy bag
Bag-making special clips: Some have a snap-on seal and some have a sealing strip.

2. Different ways for emptying a colostomy bag

Many people will wonder exactly how to empty a colostomy bag. The steps for emptying different types of colostomy bags and in different environments are all different.

2.1. According to the types of colostomy bag:

a. Drainale colostomy bag:

First, wash your hands to make sure they are clean and free of bacteria to avoid contaminating the stoma.
Align the bottom discharge outlet of the colostomy bag with the excrement collection area
Open the outlet clip or sealing strip to allow the excrement inside the bag to flow out slowly.
Gently press the bag body from top to bottom to help empty it, allowing the excrement inside to be discharged slowly.
Pour a small amount of warm water with a squeeze bottle from the bag opening into the bag, gently shake it to clean and then pour it out.
Wipe the bag opening with a tissue or wet wipe.
After drying, make sure the sealing clip or bag is well sealed.
Finally, check and confirm that there is no residual dirt.

b. Closed-end colostomy bag:

First, wash your hands to make sure they are clean and free of bacteria to avoid contaminating the stoma.
After gently peeling off the colostomy bag, discard it directly.
Clean the skin around the stoma with warm water and a wet wipe
After the stoma is dry, attach a new clean stoma bag.

2.2. According to the surrounding environment:

a. Standard emptying: It is basically carried out at home or in a regular public toilet, which is the most common and quickest way.

Operation steps:

First, wash your hands to make sure they are clean and free of bacteria to avoid contaminating the stoma.
Align the bottom vent of the ostomy bag with the toilet
Open the outlet clip or sealing strip to allow the excrement inside the bag to flow out slowly.
Gently press the bag body from top to bottom to help empty it, allowing the excrement inside to be discharged slowly.
Wipe the discharge outlet with a tissue or wet wipe.
After drying, make sure the sealing clip or bag is well sealed.

b. Limited mobility: Some patients with mobility issues or bedridden conditions are unable to empty their stoma by themselves, so they use urinals or potty basins to receive the excrement.

Operation steps:

Place the potty or urinal in a suitable and comfortable position
The nursing staff aimed the discharge outlet at the potty.
Open the drain opening clip or sealing strip to allow the excrement inside the bag to slowly flow into the toilet bowl.
Wipe the bag opening and seal it.

c. When outdoors: Carry spare colostomy bags, wet wipes and other ostomy care products with you. Choose a private bathroom to empty them.

3 Tips for emptying your ostomy bag

Timely emptying:When the excrement in the bag reaches half, it should be emptied in time to prevent the bag from being too heavy and causing leakage or even falling off.
Prevent liquid splashing: The discharge outlet of the colostomy bag should be as close as possible to the edge of the toilet or near the water surface to avoid liquid splashing around due to its high position.
Anti-odor: Use a colostomybag with a carbon filter. The carbon filtration device can effectively absorb odors, avoiding the embarrassment of odors and the possibility of bag swelling.
Leak-proof: Before sealing the bag, carefully press and check. Use the clip test to confirm whether the clip is tightly clamped or the sealing strip is pressed tightly without any gaps.
Protect the bottom:When emptying, try to hold the bag body as much as possible to avoid pulling the bottom during the emptying and cleaning process, which may cause gaps or lifting at the edges and lead to leakage.

When should you empty your colostomy bag?

When the excrement in the colostomy bag reaches half, it should be replaced in time to avoid the bag being too heavy and pulling on the skin, which may cause leakage.
When a swollen bag occurs, the colostomy bag indicates that there is too much gas inside the bag and it needs to be emptied in time.
Before going to bed or going out, since it takes a long time to clear your mind, it is necessary to clear your mind in advance.
Before exercising and working out: Due to the large range of motion in exercise and fitness activities, it is necessary to empty in advance to reduce weight to avoid pulling the skin and causing discomfort and leakage problems.

1. Why is it necessary to empty in time?

Leakage problem: If the bag is not emptied in time and is too full, it will cause leakage problems
It can cause damage to the skin stoma: After leakage, the excrement will continuously contaminate and irritate the skin, leading to redness, swelling and even ulceration of the skin and stoma.
Contaminate clothes: After leakage, feces and urine will contaminate clothes and bed sheets, causing pollution to the surrounding environment.
Unpleasant smell problem: When outside, the smell from leakage can cause embarrassment and bring physical and mental discomfort to oneself.

How often should an ostomy bag be emptied?

Generally, patients need to empty their bowels 4 to 5 times a day, and 1 to 2 times at night.

Stoma type: Patients with ileostomy often have loose stools and frequent excretion, so emptying is also more frequent. Colostomy has a more formed bowel movement, with frequent excretion and a lower emptying frequency.
Water intake: If the water intake is high, the frequency of discharge will also be higher; if the water intake is low, the frequency of discharge will be relatively lower.
In terms of diet: Consuming foods that are prone to gas production and diarrhea will also increase the frequency of emissions.

How to change a colostomy bag?

It’s not only need to know how to empty a colostomy bag, we also need to know how to change a colostomy bag.

1. Required items

Ostomy scissors
Wet wipes or soft paper towels with warm water
Glue remover
Stoma powder
Sealing rings, stoma paste

2. Replacement steps:

First, gather all necessary items, such as a new disposable colostomy bags, scissors, and cleansing wipes.
Carefully remove the old pouch, then clean the skin around the stoma and allow it to dry.
Trim the new pouch to the appropriate size, apply it to the skin, and press firmly to ensure a secure seal.
This completes the replacement of the drainable colostomy pouch.

How often should a colostomy bag be changed?

Single-piece colostomybag: The base and the bag body are of an integrated structure and are usually replaced every 1 to 3 days.
Two-piece colostomybag: The base and the bag body are separated. The base can be adhered to the skin for multiple uses. The base can basically be recycled for 3 to 5 days, and the bag body can be replaced separately according to one’s own specific situation.
Dainable colostomy bag:The replacement frequency depends on the patient’s own condition. Generally, when more than half of the excrement inside the bag is discharged, it needs to be emptied in a timely manner.
Closed-end colostomy bag: When the excrement inside is nearly full, it needs to be replaced with a new one immediately. It is for single use only and should be discarded after use.

Caring for your colostomy stoma

Skin care:When cleaning the stoma, use warm water and a soft cloth to scrub. Avoid excessive force and do not use wet wipes containing alcohol or fragrance that may irritate the skin. It can be used in combination with stoma powder to make the skin drier and more comfortable.
Daily examination:A normal stoma should be bright red in color and kept moist. If it turns black or purple, medical attention should be sought promptly.
After going out for activities or doing sports and fitness, it is also necessary to check in time and stick it firmly to prevent leakage.
Diet and rest:Avoid consuming gas-producing foods and beverages such as bean products and carbonated drinks to prevent bag swelling.
Avoid eating overly spicy or cold food to prevent diarrhea. Maintain a normal and regular schedule to facilitate the regular replacement and emptying of the bag

Living with a colostomy bag

The daily life of a patient with a stoma involves constantly carrying the stoma bag for all activities. They can carry out their daily work and social activities normally, no different from ordinary people. When going out, bags can be hidden inside clothes, so not many people care about the existence of bags.

Daily life: It is necessary to observe the capacity of the stoma bag in a timely manner, empty and replace it regularly, and take good care of the skin around the stoma. Pay attention to your diet and try to keep your daily routine regular.
Work: Prepare spare ostomy bags and care products, and replace or empty them in a suitable and private place in a timely manner.
Travel and sports: Avoid strenuous exercise. Observe and change in time to prevent leakage and unpleasant odors.

FAQ about how to empty a colostomy bag

Q1. How long does it take to empty a colostomy bag?

Generally speaking, emptying the colostomy bag only takes 3 to 5 minutes. If the operation is not proficient, it may take longer.

Depending on the nature of the stool,if it is loose, it will be excreted more quickly; if it is solid, it needs to be excreted slowly by pressing.
Depending on the type of stoma bag,the stoma bag can be discharged because it requires cleaning, wiping and sealing steps, which takes less time. The closed ostomy bag does not require cleaning and can be replaced directly, which is faster and more convenient.
Depending on the environment:At home and outside, the time required varies due to the differences in privacy and convenience of the environment.

Q2. What do you do with a colostomy bag full of poop?

Feces around the stoma indicate that the stoma bag is leaking and there is a gap between the stoma bag base and the skin. It should be cleaned up immediately; otherwise, continuous contamination may cause redness, swelling and even ulceration of the skin around the stoma.

Operation steps:

First, remove the old bag body. Gently clean the feces around the stoma with warm water and a soft cloth.
You can use stoma powder to make the skin drier and more comfortable.
You can also use a sealing ring or stoma cream in combination to increase the adhesion between the skin and the base, enhance the sealing performance, and reduce the possibility of leakage.
The final step is to stick the colostomy bag. Gently press the sticking base to ensure a complete fit.

Q3. What to do when colostomy bag keeps leaking?

When there is continuous leakage, the first thing we need to do is to replace the colostomy bag with a new one to prevent the skin around the stoma from getting infected, swollen or even ulcerated due to the continuous contamination of excrement. Secondly, we need to remeasure the diameter of the stoma to ensure that the opening of the base plate is 1-2 millimeters larger than that of the gas hole. Avoid having the opening diameter of the chassis too large or too small, which may cause leakage or friction against the skin. We can also use stoma auxiliary products in combination, such as sealing rings and sealing pastes, to enhance sealing performance and prevent leakage.

If the leakage persists, it is necessary to go to the hospital in time to prevent the stoma from worsening further.

Conclusion — How To Empty A Colostomy Bag

Understanding how to empty a colostomy bag is an important step for stoma patients to live comfortably. If the stoma is not emptied for a long time, it can cause leakage and more skin problems. Therefore, it is necessary to empty the stoma in a timely manner in daily life. However, if there are problems that cannot be solved, one should also seek medical attention promptly to prevent the condition from worsening.

Zodelo is well aware of the significance of the ostomy bag to patients, and we have always been committed to ensuring that all patients can live comfortably. For this purpose, Zodelo has upgraded and developed all series of ostomy bags，such as: Airlora Series, Calmlora Series, Mellora Series, Joylora Series and Ostomy Product Accessories.

Zodelo will always be by your side. If you need any assistance, please contact us.

More Resources:

Colostomy— NHS
Ostomy: Adapting to life after colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy— Mayoclinic
Colorectal Cancer: Tips for Living with a Colostomy— Rochester
How to Change a Colostomy Bag —Wikihow

how to empty a colostomy bag

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