Garbage Cans-Keeping them Smelling Fresh and Clean

Indoor and outdoor trash cans can get downright dirty and smell pretty bad. Have you ever noticed an odor as you walk around your house or after taking the trash out? After many months of quarantine and cooking many meals, I’m certain many people have had more trash than usual. With the summer months, these odors can get worse with the heat. Here are some ways you can clean your trash cans and keep them smelling fresh:

Indoor Trash Can Cleaning:

Indoor trash cans can get just as dirty and develop strong odors inside of your home, especially if you let trash sit in them or use trash bags that are not as strong. With a little elbow grease your indoor trash cans will look and smell brand new.

1. Empty your trash cans and take them outdoors if they are indoors.
2. Spray the interior and exterior of your trash cans with an all-purpose cleaner.
3. Sprinkle about a half of cup of baking soda inside the trash can and let it sit for about 10-15 minutes to let the baking soda deodorize the trash can.
4. Using a sponge, scrub the inside and outside of the trash can, wash them out with your hose and dry completely.
5. Line the bottom of your indoor trash can with a microfiber towel or newspapers to absorb any moisture.

Outdoor Garbage Can Cleaning:

Outdoor garbage can cleaning can be a little trickier because of the amount of trash that goes into them each week and if you have missed trash day, the grease, grime and odor will definitely build up and be harder to get rid of. The other issue with outdoor garbage cans is the flies and other animals that may get into the garbage cans for food. Regular cleaning and maintenance can help with these things.

1. Clean your garbage can preferably after trash is collected, that way the bins will be completely empty.
2. Make a solution of dish soap and vinegar and put eucalyptus essential oils into the solution.
3. Spray the interior and exterior of the garbage cans. Let them sit for about 10 minutes. Do this another two times to loosen any dirt and grease.
4. Fill a bucket with dish soap and warm water, scrub the inside with a mop head or microfiber rag. Rinse well with water.
5. Make sure all of the water has emptied and put in the sun with the lid open to dry completely. Spritz the cans with some eucalyptus oil to keep them fresh and ward off any pests.