How To Clean Trash Can: 9 Easy Steps for An Odor-Free Trash Can
The top priority of every homeowner is a clean, odor-free house. Because a smelly home will give you nothing but embarrassment, that is why it is essential to keep the trash cans of your house fresh and clean, or else the stinky garbage will always satisfy you.
If you are eager to learn how to clean trash can like a pro, you have come to the right place.
Nothing is complicated if you know the proper process. You do not have to wash the trash cans for long to make them fresh. All you have to do is ensure you have a proper cleaning routine and process, like gathering the right tools, rinsing, drying, and many more.
Continue reading this article to learn about how to clean your smelly trash cans effortlessly and also learn how to kill maggots in trash can?
Step By Step Methods Of Cleaning A Stinky Trash Can
Cleaning trash bins is something people do not usually enjoy. Though it is an unpleasant job, the cleaning process is easy. But cleaning the smelly trash cans is something that requires tricks.
Whether you want to clean indoor or outdoor garbage cans, the cleaning process is the same for all types. It is not necessary to clean your trash cans regularly. You can follow the below-mentioned steps once a week.
Prepare Your Tools and Cleaning Solution
Before you start washing your trash can, preparing your cleaning solution and gathering all your cleaning ingredients is essential. Because once everything is ready, you won’t face any hassle while cleaning the trash bin.
Now, for washing, collect the following tools-
- Rubber gloves
- Garden hose ( to clean big outdoor trash cans)
- Bathtub or a bucket ( to clean small indoor trash cans)
- Sponge
- A bristled scrub brush
- Microfiber cloth or towel
- Paper Towels
Once you gather all the tools, it is time to make the cleaning solution. There are three main types of ingredients that help clean and remove the odor of your garbage bin like magic.
You must be thinking, what kind of sorcery do those ingredients have, right? Well, you will be shocked after knowing that those are very basic ingredients every household has. You can use the following ingredients-
- Vinegar mixture ( To remove mild odor)
- Baking Soda ( If the trash can has pesky odors)
- Bleach ( to remove stains and strong odors)
To make a cleaning solution, add about half a cup of water and dish soap with four cups of vinegar.
Baking soda and bleach has different kind of use. You will know about their use in the later part of the article.
1. Take The Trash Bag Out
You must take out the trash bag to clean the trash can. Remember to wear rubber gloves before touching the trash bag.
2. Remove Small Debris Attached with The Trash Bin
Once you remove the trash or the garbage bags, you can see small food particles attached to the trash cans. The loose debris usually gets leaked from the trash bags. Removing all those small debris or food particles firmly attached to the dirty trash cans is necessary.
3. Rinse/Wash the Trash Can
For outdoor trash bins, rinse them with the help of a garden hose or a pressure washer in the outer space of your house. If you do not have outer space, take the trash bin to the bathroom. Usually, it is easy to clean small trash cans in the bathroom, but the task might be challenging for big outdoor garbage cans.
If you clean the trash can in your bathroom, using a bathtub or a bucket will create less mess.
4. Apply the Cleaning Solution
Now, it is time to apply the vinegar solution that you made earlier. You must use the solution by spraying it all over the trash can. Make sure you spread the solution inside and outside of the trash.
Do you remember we mentioned baking soda and bleach in the first step? It is now time to tell you how to use them. Find Trash can cleaning service.
Baking Soda
If the vinegar solution cannot remove the pesky odors, you can use a little baking soda. Take one-fourth cup of baking soda and sprinkle the soda on the bottom. Next, let the soda sit for a few minutes to deodorize the trash can.
Bleach
If your stinky trash can has stains, you can use bleach. It does remove not only the stain but also gives odor protection from smelly trash.
The use of bleach is easy. You just have to add hot water inside the trash can and then pour about one-fourth cup of bleach. The warm water helps to react the bleach with the plastic trash can and weaken the stain.
Scrub The Garbage Can
This step needs some energy as you must combine all your actions to complete the work. Take a sponge or a bristled brush to scrub the trash can. If the size of the trash can is big, take a long-handled bristle brush to clean the inner bottom part of the can. Read What Size Trash Can For Kitchen?
Note: If you have added water and bleach, pour the solution out of the trash can before you start scrubbing.
It is essential to scrub the trash can so that all the dirt comes off and makes the bin shiny. In the case of a kitchen bin made of stainless steel, it is best to use a microfiber cloth because bristles or toilet brushes can leave a scratch on the bin.
Also, do not forget to scrub the lid of the trash can with hot soapy water.
Disinfect The Trash Can
It is always best to disinfect your outdoor trash bins to protect your family from germs. The germs from the trash can attract flies, and flies carry diseases.
So, if you do not want your garbage cans to attract flies, use a disinfectant cleaning product. Spray any cleaner over your trash can and let it sit for a few minutes. Read How to Kill Flies in Trash Can?
Rinse It Again
Once you are done scrubbing the trash bin thoroughly, it is now time to rinse the trash can again with water. Use a garden hose to spray water on the can. If you are cleaning it in the bathroom, then use a showerhead. This process will help to remove all the residue.
Dry The Can
Before you put a new bag in the can and start using it, the can must be totally dry. You must avoid using direct heat to soak the water from the trash can. It is always best to air dry your garbage can outside under the sun. Ensure you keep the lid open so that the inner part gets dried.
However, if you are in a hurry and do not have the time to air dry, you can use paper towels or dryer sheets. Ensure the can is fully dry, or the moisture can create mold in the garbage cans.
FAQs
Can you mix baking soda and vinegar to clean a trash can?
Vinegar and baking soda are the two most common ingredients for house cleaning. Both of the ingredients alone are sufficient to clean a trash can. However, mixing these two things is also effective because their pH levels are opposite.
Make sure you do not keep the mixture in a closed jar. It is best to start scrubbing immediately to avoid an explosion.
What is a natural deodorizer for a garbage can?
A mixture of lemon essential oil and baking soda is a natural deodorizer for a garbage can. To make this deodorizer, take one-fourth cup of vinegar and ten drops of oil. Before pouring the solution into the trash can, make sure the can is totally dry. After that, add a new liner or a trash bag. ‘
How often should I clean the trash can?
To prevent lingering odors, washing your trash can once a week is best. But if the trash load is less, it is okay to clean once a month. However, to prevent odors, you can go through a mini cleaning whenever you take the trash bag out.
What is the disadvantage of vinegar in cleaning?
The vinegar cannot clean the trash cans’ germs and bacteria. That is why if you want to disinfect the trash can, vinegar won’t help.
Final Words
Garbage cans in your house require equal attention, just like the other household items. Moreover, it is vital that you keep the trash can as clean as possible to prevent odors. Now that you have read the whole article about how to clean trash cans, hopefully, you can easily master cleaning the trash can.
Remember, instead of using dish soap alone, mixing vinegar with it will make cleaning easier. Using vinegar, baking soda, or bleach while cleaning the trash can reduce your workload. Hence, you must work smartly instead of wasting energy while cleaning a trash can.