Garbage bins smell year round. But as it gets warmer, it’s a lot easier to notice.
It’s not just the garbage bin either, both your recycling and compost bins can be culprits of horrible smells. And they don’t discriminate — indoor or outdoor, you could easily find yourself victim of a smelly garbage bin.
That’s why garbage bin cleaning is so important. Not only can you get rid of current smells, with a little effort you can prevent it from happening in the future. Here’s what you need to know about cleaning your bin and keeping it clean:
How to clean your garbage bin
Cleaning your garbage bin is an important way to keep it free of bacteria and orders. Here are the simple steps you need to follow to clean your bin properly:
1. Remove all the trash
It goes without saying that you don’t want any trash (at all) in the garbage bin while you’re trying to clean it. In fact, doing it on garbage day (after the truck is gone) or the day after is a good way to make sure you don’t have any trash you need to store elsewhere. Once everything is out of the trash bin, you’ll want to give it a good shake to remove anything extra that might be stuck to the sides.
2. Rinse with soap and water
With the bin empty, it’s time to wash it out with good ole fashioned soap and water. You can use a hose if you have one, or just pour a bucket of water in it to get the job done. You want to make sure you get all the dirt and grime off the sides, and don’t forget the outside of the can and the lid!
3. Wipe the bin down with bleach
Soap and water is great, but bleach is really where it’s at when it comes to cleaning your trash can.
Mix 1 Tbsp. of bleach into a spray bottle filled with water, then spray the solution on the bin and wipe it down with a cloth. Make sure the cloth is one you don’t mind getting bleach on.
The bleach will help kill any bacteria that might be hanging out, and will also remove any lingering smells. Then you want to let the bin dry completely, inside and out.
4. Sprinkle in some baking powder
Baking soda is a magical little substance that can be used in all sorts of places from your trash can to your fridge. Among its many talents is its ability to help prevent bad smells from building up, or at least hold them off for a bit longer.
To use it, you simply sprinkle baking soda into the bottom of the bin. From there, it works to absorb unpleasant odours. It’s not really magic, so at some point your bin will probably become smelly again, but it’ll help. It can also help get rid of any smells that might be lingering on the inside or outside of the bin.
5. Leave a dryer sheet or two in there
If you want to give the baking soda an extra helping hand, consider also placing a dryer sheet or two in the bottom of your trash can. Dryer sheets can absorb both odours and moisture, further helping to delay the accumulation of bad smells.
Preventative measures
Dryer sheets and baking soda are both preventative measures for combating a stinky can. But there are a few other things you can do:
- Change your garbage bag frequently, and resist the urge to keep piling trash on until it’s completely full
- Regularly clean and disinfect the bin, once a month is great!
- If you store your bin outside, keep it in the shade as direct sunlight will make the problem worse
- Don’t let particularly stinky items like diapers, pet waste, and rotten food sit and stew in the summer heat
A clean can is happy one!
It’s no secret that keeping a clean home can be a daunting task. But even the smallest task, like cleaning your garbage bin, can make a big difference in keeping your home smelling fresh and clean.
Performing these small tasks on a regular basis means that they’ll be easier and faster to do. Not to mention, you’ll make a dent in the bacteria and odours infesting your house.
Looking for more housekeeping tips and tricks? Check out the the GarbageDay app weekly for new tips!