How to Clean Your Garbage Can (and Keep It Smelling Fresh)
This monthly chore is easy to ignore, but it makes a big difference when it comes to managing the ick.
Emily Fazio
You won't need to deep clean the garbage can every time you carry out the trash, but making it a monthly habit makes a difference.
Trash cans collect more than just bags. Mystery liquid, garbage scraps, even dead insects build up at the bottom of the bin over time. As a result, stains and smells are practically unavoidable.
Cleaning your trash cans is a chore that’s easy to ignore, whether it’s the tall kitchen-sized bin that you keep under your kitchen counter or the industrial-sized container lent by your waste management service.
The real goal is to commit to a simple routine that'll prevent the bin from getting too dirty. So, go ahead. Put on some rubber gloves, gather your tools and add this to your monthly cleaning routine.
Emily Fazio
Dirt and dust can evade the garbage bag over time.
How to Clean Your Trash Can
The majority of modern garbage cans are plastic, but some are still metal. For any material, outdoor cleaning is always easiest if you have a hose and a grassy area or sewer drain.
Tools and Materials
- liquid dish soap
- long-handled scrub brush or old broom with plastic bristles
- garden hose with a spray nozzle
- rubber gloves
Steps
- Empty the can fully. It’s best to clean it immediately upon taking the garbage out or after your weekly pickup.
- Rinse the inside. Use a hose to pre-rinse the inside of the can. If you loosen large pieces of stuck-on food or mysterious materials, dump it out, and transfer waste into a clean garbage bag.
- Add soap and fresh water. Squirt a few tablespoons of liquid dish soap on the walls of the can. Use the hose to rinse the walls, letting the soapy water fill the bottom 2-3 inches of the container.
- Let it soak. A 5-10 minute soak is important if you have anything else stuck to the bottom of the bin. It’ll help loosen the debris before scrubbing.
- Scrub all surfaces. Focus on the bottom and corners, where residue collects, as well as the lid that collects splatters and debris over time. I like to use an old broom to clean the bottom of my industrial-sized bin, but a long-handled brush (like a toilet brush) is good for smaller containers.
- Rinse again. Wash out all the soap and remaining grime.
- Clean the outside. I spray down the outside last because it’s bound to get dirty if it’s laying in the driveway or in the grass while I clean the inside. Remember to scrub the handles, lid edges, and wheels.
- Dry completely. Turn the can upside down in the sun or let it air dry. Don’t close or return it to its station until it’s dry. Moisture left inside the can causes odors.
Getty/Robin Gentry
Use a spray nozzle on your garden hose to blast debris from deep in the trash container.
How to Deodorize Your Trash Can
Cleaning removes buildup and keeps odors at bay, but deodorizing eliminates lingering smells. It also keeps odors at bay between cleanings.
There are many solutions, but a few of our favorites include:
- Baking soda: Sprinkle a thin layer in the bottom after the can dries, or keep an open box of baking soda in the bottom of the upright container to absorb smells.
- White vinegar: Spray undiluted vinegar inside the can after cleaning and let it air dry. The smell will fade!
- Lemon essential oil: Pour about five drops of lemon essential oil on a paper towel. Place it in the bottom of the trash can, under the bag. Replace it weekly. (As a bonus, the paper towel helps absorb moisture and grime before it settles in the container.)
Getty/Robin Gentry
Empty the trash when it's full rather than letting it sit and wait an extra day or two.
How to Prevent Trash Can Odors
Committing to a routine reduces how often deep cleaning is needed.
Everyday Habits
- Tie bags tightly before taking them out.
- Choose quality trash bags that resist leaks. Thin bags are more likely to puncture and leak.
- Rinse food containers before tossing them.
- Remove garbage and clean the bins more often during hot weather. (Smelling a leaky bag of meat on a July day is a day you’ll never forget.)
Extra odor control
- Line the bottom with newspaper or a paper towel with drops of essential oil to absorb liquids and manage smells.
- Freeze strong-smelling scraps, like meat wrappers, until trash day.
- Keep the lid closed.
Can Bleach Be Used to Clean Trash Cans?
Mild dish soap in a grease-cutting formula has always worked well enough for us. Bleach cleans well, but it’s also harsh, especially if you’re rinsing your bins into the grass. Reminder: Never, ever mix bleach with vinegar or ammonia. The mixture produces deadly gases.
If you have recurring mold inside your garbage can and decide to clean it with bleach, just make sure it’s heavily diluted (one cup per gallon of water). Rinse it fully and avoid dumping it into garden beds or grassy areas.
