Nothing is more disgusting and off-putting than a trash can with a bad smell. The stinky trash can is the result of multiple things including old rotting food, expired dairy, leftover plate scrapings, decomposing veggies, and the infamous ‘trash juice’.
Garbage odor often stinks up the entire kitchen and other rooms which can be quite embarrassing when the guests are over.
Luckily, you do not have to live with a smelly trash can as there are many ways to eliminate pesky odor.
Trash Can Cleaning Tips to Eliminate Pesky Odor
Without using any fancy cleaning product or equipment, you can eliminate bad odor from indoor and outdoor garbage cans through easy tricks.
Follow along to know useful hacks for eliminating odor from a garbage can.
Deep Clean Your Trash Can Regularly
Schedule deep cleaning of trash can at least once or twice a month. Clean the inside of the can with a solution of bleach and water to get rid of spilled liquids and kill odor-causing bacteria.
Besides bleach, use natural, homemade solutions of vinegar, lemon juice, or baking soda to neutralize any trash can odor. Scrub and wipe down the garbage can as well as the lid to eliminate smells.
Use a DIY Trash Can Eliminator
Use a well-known cleaning agent, baking soda, to make a DIY odor eliminator. It is one of the effective ways of deodorizing a smelly can.
Depending on the size of the garbage can, sprinkle some baking soda at the bottom of the can. It will absorb any lingering smell and then put a trash bag on top of it.
For metal trash cans, it is better to keep a sachet of baking soda at the bottom, instead of sprinkling.
Use Superior Quality Trash Bag
High-quality trash bags prevent spewing garbage and hold in odor. They are sturdy enough to not let any moisture or juices leak and cause odor.
Keep it Dry
A moist and damp environment is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Therefore, be mindful when throwing any trash, drain off excess liquid, and do not throw old soups or any liquids directly into the garbage can.
Contain Smelliest Stuff in a Separate Bag
Use sealable containers like plastic bags or cardboard boxes to separate the smelliest stuff. For instance, fish scraps, animal bones, leftovers, spoiled dairy, and banana peels should be kept separately and expelled from the kitchen ASAP.
Peels of Scented Fruit
Throw some scented fruit peels and juice of citrus fruit to add an extra burst of freshness. Squeeze the juice of citrus fruits, let it dry, and add a new trash bag.
Similarly, throw the discarded peels and leaves of any scented fruits into the can to keep the odor at bay. Change them frequently before they start to rot.
In a Nutshell
Keeping the trash can smelling fresh is not a one-time thing but a constant battle. Following preventive measures and the aforementioned easy cleaning tricks is better than spending hours cleaning smelly residue.
