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You grab a bag out of your junk drawer every morning as you head out with your golden retriever, who eagerly tugs at the leash. The little bags are soon stuffed in your coat pocket, entwined with your keys, or simply forgotten, forcing you to do an awkward walk of shame home mid-stroll.
You probably already have leashes draped over the doorknob, but have some treats sitting on the console table? Add another bulky piece of plastic to that mess? Not exactly what you pictured, right?
A dog poop bag holder doesn’t have to be an eyesore. Use these 9 creative ideas to make an easy storage that you won’t be afraid to display. Some of these take only 5 minutes and you probably have the materials right in your junk drawer. Others may cost you under $12 but they will fit your house perfectly.
If you just want to throw some bags in a holder for now and don’t care what it looks like, or if you want to coordinate the holders with your custom leash storage, we’ve got something for you.
Not Interested in DIY? Skip Straight to Ready-Made Holders
If you’d rather clip something on and go, these options work perfectly:
Quick Comparison: Find Your Perfect Match
| If You Want… | Best Option | Time to Make | Cost |
| Zero effort, grab-and-go | Ready-made dispenser | 0 min | Varies |
| Weekend craft project | Hand-crocheted holder (#2) | 45 min | Low cost |
| Thrift store upcycle | Quilted fabric dispenser (#5) | 12 min | Low cost |
| Luxe leather look | Hand-stitched leather (#9) | 15 min | Low cost |
#1: Minimalist Collapsible Poop Bag Canister (Silicone Design, Hides in Plain Sight)
Your neighbor complimented you on your “cute phone accessory” last Tuesday. You were holding Charlie’s poop bag dispenser.
I know this collapsible silicone holder looks as if you bought it, but it’s actually easy to make, using a 4-inch silicone travel bottle from Target, a small carabiner clip and some black elastic cord. It takes just 12 minutes from start to being able to clip it on.
Cut a 2-inch oval window in the bottle’s center so bags dispense without unscrewing the top. The accordion-style body holds one standard roll of 20 bags and compresses to 3 inches tall when empty. Punch a hole near the rim, thread your carabiner through with 2 inches of elastic cord for a shock-absorbing attachment. It clips to your leash handle so you can grab a biodegradable poop bag in under 4 seconds, which means you’re never doing the panicked pocket search at 6:47am.
The matte finish looks like minimalist Scandinavian design, not dog gear. If you want ready-made convenience, this silicone poop bag holder with flashlight adds nighttime visibility for early walks. Pair your morning routine with quality nutrition from our Best Dry Dog Food: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect Nutrition for Your Dog.
Pro tip: Wipe down with rubbing alcohol before attaching hardware. Silicone residue on them makes the clips slip as I’m yanking the squirrel around.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @3d_ger
#2: Hand-Crocheted Poop Bag Carrier (Disguised Luxury Your Leash Actually Deserves)
Your neighbor complimented your “cool keychain holder” last Tuesday. But, you didn’t tell her that it holds 30 poop bags for your dog, Stella’s morning walks.
This bright pink crocheted holder measures roughly 4 inches long and uses chunky cotton yarn in size 6 weight. You’ll need one skein (from Michael’s or Amazon), a size K crochet hook, one metal D-ring clip, and 45 minutes of Netflix time. This creates a custom piece that looks like boutique pet store inventory. The cylinder shape holds one standard roll of bags that dispenses through the gathered tissue-paper-style top opening.
Work chain 15. Join with a slip stitch to form a ring. Work single crochet in the round until you reach 3.5 inches. Gather the top of the bag to form a closure. Make a drawstring to pull the top of the bag through. You can grab your snack in the midst of your walk without having to dig for it. No more looking around while your dog circles the same tree for the fourth time! Add a decorative flower to hide the place where you put the top drawstring. Thread your D-ring through the bottom before closing the final round.
This is a lovely bag, as is the matching walker. It comes with a little clip which you can clip to any type of leash or walking bag. It’s ok for a bit of drizzle, but we use it everyday as it’s very durable.
Pro tip: the hole needs to be at least 1.5 inches wide – otherwise you will squeeze the bag and have to fight with it at 6am.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @mathias.monsieur.crochet
#3: Chunky Crochet Poop Bag Holders (Customizable Colors, Hooks to Anything)
I forgot to mention that I have a very cute key chain from you. It’s attached to my key ring because it has 20 poop bags for Rocky in the morning.
Here’s what you need: one skein of chunky cotton yarn (from Michael’s or Amazon), a 10mm crochet hook, scissors, and a metal D-ring or carabiner clip. The pattern takes 15 minutes once you’ve crocheted three practice rounds. Make a cylinder 4 inches tall and 2 inches wide using single crochet stitches in a spiral. Leave a 1.5-inch opening at the bottom so bags pull through easily. Attach your clip through the top loop.
How genius is this? It matches your aesthetic! Crochet one in a lovely sage green for your mudroom. Make a cheery yellow one for your morning walk. It almost disappears on your black leash handle in navy blue.
These standard rolls slide up through the top in 3 seconds. The cotton yarn grips just enough to keep the bag from unrolling in your tote. You can weatherproof the holder by mixing 2 tbsp beeswax and 1 cup hot water and brushing onto the holder once it has dried. My holder survived 4 months of Seattle drizzle without getting mushy. Find more ways to elevate your routine in this post 5 Best Homemade Dog Food Recipes: Nutritious and Easy Meals for Your Furry Friend.
Pro tip: Make me in every color so I can have one on every leash, jacket or bag you own.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @mathias.monsieur.crochet
#4: Fruit Punch Fabric Poop Bag Holder (Watermelon-Bright DIY, Stops the “Forgot Bags” Walk of Shame)
Have you ever forgotten to bring a bag with you on a walk with your dog? I did it once last Tuesday when we went on our 6am walk with Cooper and I was never so glad to have this tropical-print dispenser attached to my leash that I could clip in 2 seconds.
You could make one of these in 20 minutes or so with half a fat quarter, a lobster clasp and a glue gun! Cut a piece of fabric 8 inches by 3 inches (this will easily hold a full roll of paper towels). Fold the fabric in half lengthwise and glue the edges. Glue a snap closure on top. Thread one of the loops of a lobster clasp through the bottom loop.
Mine is the waxed cotton one, so not sure if that had anything to do with it, but it survived 4 months of Seattle rain without fading. I don’t know if it’s the case for the nylon one, but it holds 200 bags, so that means that I have to refill it every 6 weeks or so instead of digging through my coat pockets for my reusable bags.
It only takes 3 seconds to refill – I slide the roll through the top opening while I am still half asleep. The opening of the waterer should be at least 1.5 inches diameter or you will curse yourself every Sunday morning. I simply clip it to the handle of my walking tote, to the hook on the mudroom door or to the handlebar of my stroller. It feels as soft as a scarf after only two weeks of daily use.
Pro tip: Felt like I was in a fabric store. I even went to the thrift store for some cotton fabric for cheap. I thought some of the vintage looking prints looked intentional, and not crafty.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @warsawdog
#5: DIY Quilted Poop Bag Dispenser (Thrift Store Chic, Zero Embarrassment)
Your neighbor complimented your “cute keychain pouch” at the dog park last week. You didn’t mention that it held 30 bags worth of Charlie’s bathroom breaks. This cute fabric dispenser, made from thrift store finds, takes 12 minutes to make.
Materials needed: You will need one quilted potholder or fabric scrap (6×4 inches), a segment of PVC pipe (4 inches long, 1.5-inch diameter), a lobster claw carabiner clip, some E6000 glue, and a small screw eye. You will want to cut a 1.5-inch hole in the center of the potholder/pipe. Now you can glue the edges of the fabric around the pipe. Put the screw eye into the top cap of the pipe and let it dry for a couple of hours. Now clip your carabiner into your potholder/pipe.
It holds one full roll of unscented poop bags in bulk or lavender-scented options if you prefer something floral. The quilted cotton repels light rain so you don’t end up with soggy bags after morning walks, which means no more stuffing wet paper in your jacket pocket.
I toss it up on our mud room command center before we go for a walk so that it’s easy to grab on the way out. It takes about 8 seconds to refill – pop off the top, drop in a new roll, thread one bag through. Who cares if it doesn’t have neon colors and looks like something you’d buy at Target? It’s a heck of a lot better looking than those tacky neon plastic bags you might see at the pet store, just like choosing quality nutrition from Best Wet Dog Food: Top Choices and What to Consider beats guessing at the pet store.
Pro tip: If you use biodegradable bags (they are slightly thicker), make the opening 1.75 inches.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @lex_ph2Ib
#6: Pink Checkered Fabric Poop Bag Dispenser (Clip-On Charm That Doesn’t Scream “Dog Supplies”)
Your neighbor complimented what she thought was a cosmetic pouch on your leash last Tuesday. It’s actually where you stash compostable poop bags, but she doesn’t need to know that.
You’ll need: 8×6 inches of tight-weave cotton fabric (pink gingham from an old pillowcase works perfectly), one brass snap button, 1.5-inch lobster clasp, scissors, and fabric glue for crafts. The whole project takes 25 minutes, including drying time.
Cut fabric into a rectangle, fold edges inward to create a 4×3-inch pouch, and glue three sides shut. Attach the brass snap to the flap so it stays closed when Luna pulls toward squirrels. Thread the lobster clasp through the top seam before sealing. The opening needs to be exactly 1.5 inches wide—smaller than that and your biodegradable poop bags with handles won’t fit through.
The bag can accommodate 30 folded bags and attaches to the leather leash handle without adding bulk to your pocket. It can be wiped with a damp cloth after a muddy walk and air dried on your entryway hook. The checkered pattern hides dirt better than a solid color. So, even after two months of daily park trips, yours will still look crisp.
Pro tip: I added a tiny loop of ribbon to the pull tab so I can yank out bags with gloves on during my January walks.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @spottedbyhumphrey
#7: Newspaper Plant Pot Liner (Biodegradable, Hides Your Poop Bag Stash)
Your mudroom is a place where you might have leashes, treat pouches, maybe even dog waste bags. We’ve all been there, you whip out the bright green poo bag roll when your friend comes over for dinner and the first thing they do is grab a paper towel and cover their nose. You’re welcome, here’s a 10 minute project using yesterday’s newspaper, your bags can now be used as biodegradable planter liners.
You will need five sheets of newspaper, a pair of scissors, and just thirty seconds of folding. Overlap three sheets in a brick pattern, fold the bottom up 4 inches, and wrap the ends around a soup can to create a cylinder. Cost: $0.00, if you grab a few free papers from your local coffee shop.
Tuck your heavy-duty extra-thick poop bags inside so you can grab bags without digging through your entire walking bag, which means you’re out the door in half the time.
The newsprint blends in very nicely to our baskets, so people think it’s actually holding a little herb seedling. After about 2-3 weeks, toss the whole liner into your compost bin and fold a new one while your coffee brews.
Pro tip: I also make the opening 1.75 inches wide, so that a normal poop bag will slide out.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @zerowaste.japan
#8: Fabric Poop Bag Holders You Can Sew in 15 Minutes (Match Every Leash You Own)
Your neighbor complements you on your “cute keychain” on the dog park trail, and you smile as you proudly pull out your poop bag from the rainbow-striped pouch that’s clipped to Milo’s leash. She had no idea your poop bag dispenser could look this good.
You’ll need one 5×4-inch fabric rectangle, one metal grommet kit from your hardware store, one lobster clasp and some black elastic trim. This project will take 15 minutes (if you are hand-sewing) or 8 minutes (if you are using a sewing machine).
Fold fabric in half with pattern side facing out, stitch three sides closed. Make one hole in the bottom of the bag, about 1.5″ from the center. Bags will work best if the hole is large enough to easily pull the bag through, smaller holes will get jammed. Thread elastic through the top and knot it around the clasp. The bags hold one roll of 50 count, which slide in the top in about 3 seconds.
The buffalo plaid version hanging in my mudroom actually matches my red leash so it doesn’t look like dog stuff! Clip it to your jacket pocket for morning walks and you won’t have to do the panicked pat-down if you forget to grab your leash!
Pro tip: Seal the fabric edges with clear nail polish before sewing—fraying stops instantly, and your holder survives 6+ months of daily park trips without looking ratty.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @poppypawsshop
#9: Hand-Stitched Leather Poop Bag Holder (Fits in Your Pocket, Looks Like a Designer Keychain)
My neighbor complimented me on my “vintage” coin purse that was clipped to my jacket and then I pulled out a dog poop bag. This is my bright red leather dog poop bag holder. It’s 4 inches long and has a metal snap closure from the craft store.
You’ll need: one 10″ piece of leather (3″ wide), one silver snap button, belt hole punch, scissors, leather glue. Cut leather into a rectangular shape, fold bottom third up, glue sides, attach snap to flap, and punch hole for carabiner on the left side. The whole project takes only 15 minutes to complete and no sewing is required.
It has one standard roll of 200 bags so you can refill it once a month instead of cramming loose bags in your coat pockets. The snap closure means that the bags don’t unroll inside your entryway organizer. Waxed leather repels the morning dew when walking the dog at 6am.
Clip it to your leash handle, belt loop, or mudroom hook so you can grab it on the go. Just like it’s important to choose the right nutrition for your dog (check out our Best Dog Food for Chihuahua Guide), the accessories you use on walks matter too.
Pro tip: Make the top/bottom of the bag opening at least 1.5 inches wide. I learned this the hard way as I struggled with the opening of my bag for 3 whole minutes on a busy sidewalk.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @columbuscraft
Your Poop Bag Holder Questions, Answered
Q: Do biodegradable bags work with all dispensers?
A: Yes, but they’re slightly thicker than standard plastic bags. Make your DIY opening 1.75 inches instead of 1.5 inches, or grab biodegradable bags designed for standard dispensers.
Q: How many bags fit in a homemade holder?
A: Most DIY holders fit one 50-200 count roll. For bulk storage at home, keep extras in your mudroom basket with this refill pack of 900 bags.
Q: Can I wash fabric holders?
A: I usually hand-wash in mild soap, then let them air dry. If they need to be waterproofed, I do the beeswax method in #3.
Q: Which holder is best to carry early morning walk?
A: This silicone holder with flashlight built in (#1) is great for those early walks with low visibility.
Your Stylish Solution Starts Now
Ready to Never Forget Bags Again?
Grab your supplies and make one this weekend, or skip the craft store and get a ready-made holder that ships tomorrow. Stock up on extra-thick leak-proof bags while you’re at it—you’ll need refills anyway.
The leash is only the beginning. If you are looking for other pet friendly tips, check out the best family dog breeds: your guide to finding the perfect pet for your home. Or if you are looking for more on dog breeds in general, check out the ultimate guide to the best dog food for pitbulls or the best service dog breeds – the ultimate guide to choosing the perfect companion.
Which holder do you prefer? The minimal leather or the patterned fabric? Add a comment with your choice!
Amr Mohsen is a software engineer who traded his keyboard for a leash — at least on weekends. His love for dogs inspired him to share what he learns as a dog owner and enthusiast, bringing a detail-oriented, research-driven perspective to every article he writes. If it’s about dogs, he’s probably already looked it up twice.
