How to Clean and Deodorize a Garbage Can
Garbage cans accumulate organic material, bacteria, and decomposing matter that creates persistent odour — even with liner bags, liquids leak and food particles accumulate in cracks and around the bottom rim. Regular cleaning every 2–4 weeks (more frequently in summer) eliminates odour at its source.
Outdoor Bins
- Take the bin outdoors and empty it completely
- Spray the interior with a garden hose — an adjustable nozzle on jet setting loosens debris effectively
- Apply dish soap to a stiff-bristled brush and scrub all interior surfaces, including the bottom and the lid interior
- Mix 1/4 cup of bleach per litre of water in a bucket
- Pour the bleach solution into the bin, allow 5 minutes (this disinfects and deodorizes)
- Pour out and rinse thoroughly with the hose
- Allow to dry completely — turning upside down in the sun for 30 minutes is ideal
Indoor Kitchen Bins
- Rinse the bin and spray with a 1:10 bleach solution or use a disinfecting spray
- Allow 2 minutes, then rinse and dry
- Place a few sheets of newspaper at the bottom of the bin under the liner — the paper absorbs moisture and leaks, reducing the frequency with which the bin itself needs cleaning
Deodorizing Tricks
- Baking soda: Sprinkle at the bottom of the bin under the liner — absorbs moisture and odour
- Activated charcoal sachets: Place inside the bin lid — continuously absorbs airborne odour compounds
- Coffee grounds: Dried coffee grounds at the bottom of the bin absorb odour and are a free byproduct of daily coffee consumption
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