Clean It Often
The first step to eliminating garbage can odors is to properly clean the can every week or two.
“You’d be surprised how much grime builds up inside your can, especially if you’ve ever had a bag leak,” says Vanessa Bossart, owner of GreenTerra Cleaning Service. “No amount of scented trash bags will fix that.”
If you can, take it the can outside to rinse it with a hose, or use the shower. Wear gloves and use a hard-bristled cleaning brush with a medium-length handle, so you don’t have to get too close to the gunk. Scrub inside and outside with hot, soapy water, then rinse it and leave it in the sun to dry.
Disinfect It
After the can is clean, it’s important spray the inside with disinfectant. “Your garbage can stinks because of bacteria, and bacteria cannot be killed by general house cleaning products,” says Delah Gomasi, Managing Director at MaidForYou.
A common mistake is not using enough spray, and then wiping it up, he says. Use enough so that the can looks like it’s sweating, then allow it to dry on the surface. “In order for it to be effective, it needs to stay on the surface,” says Gomasi. “That’s why I recommend allowing it to air-dry in a shaded spot or even indoors.”
Baking Soda Powder
Baking soda works to eliminate garbage can odors by soaking up moisture and neutralizing bad smells, instead of just masking them. For an extra boost, mix in a few drops of lemon or lavender essential oil, says Cameron Anderson, founder of All Kind Gas & Plumbing, and refresh it every time you change the bag, or at least weekly.
“Baking soda is my go-to solution for a smelly trash can,” says Anderson. “I sprinkle a generous layer at the bottom before placing a new bag,” he says.
Knoll adds this baking soda pro tip: “If you’re dealing with a particularly stubborn stench, let a paste of baking soda and water sit in the can for an hour before rinsing.”
Activated Charcoal
Place a small container or pouch of activated charcoal inside your garbage can to absorb odors on a molecular level. You can also use a few charcoal briquettes wrapped in a paper towel, says Knoll.
Adds Anderson, “It lasts longer than baking soda, but it still needs replacing every few weeks. Some people forget about it until it stops working.”
Used Coffee Grounds
“If you want to go the extra mile, coffee grounds work wonders,” says Bossart.
That’s because coffee grounds absorb odors, plus leave behind a mild, pleasant scent. Just be sure to dry them out first, or they can mold and add to the mess. You can put them in a bowl or breathable container or just sprinkle them in the bottom of the can. Remember to refresh them regularly.
White Vinegar or Degreaser
White vinegar is a natural deodorizer, so try wiping down your can with a 1:1 mixture of vinegar and water after each bag change. Then, let it dry thoroughly, which will prevent mildew and any lingering vinegar scent. Bossart also suggests adding a bit of lemon juice for a clean, fresh scent.
Adds Gomasi: “I also like to use a degreaser when cleaning my garbage can, even if there isn’t too much built-up debris. It helps loosen gunk quickly and easily so there isn’t much scrubbing required.”
Essential Oils and Cotton Balls
Dribble a few drops of your favorite essential oil on some cotton balls and tape them inside the lid. “They add a fresh scent while also having antimicrobial properties, especially for tea tree and lemon oil,” says Knoll. “Just beware of using too much oil as it can get sticky and attract dirt.”
Bossart prefers spraying the can with a mixture of water and few drops of tea tree oil “Tea tree oil is a natural disinfectant, so it kills bacteria and helps prevent odors from coming back,” she says. “Just a few drops will do the trick.”
Citrus Peels
Orange, lemon and lime peels act as natural air fresheners. “I drop a few fresh peels into my trash bag to release a light, pleasant fragrance,” says Anderson.
Just make sure to replace them every few days, so they don’t start to rot and create their own smelly problem.
Garbage Can Odor Prevention Tips
Of course, the best way to deal with garbage odors is to keep them from building up in the first place. Start by using good-quality trash bags, says Bossart. “The thin ones rip too easily, and once that happens, it’s game over,” she says. “Go for thick, leak-proof bags, preferably with some built-in odor control.”
Anderson also prefers bags with a light fragrance or baking soda built in. “Some people assume these bags eliminate the need for cleaning,” he says. “But I still clean my trash can regularly because no bag can fully prevent odors from forming over time.”
Here are some more ways to prevent garbage can odors.
Take Out the Trash More Often
Even if your bag isn’t full, take it out at least every two or three days, especially in climates where it’s warm and humid. “This is the most obvious solution,” says Gomasi. “I never leave garbage sitting in the bin overnight; and once the trash is out, I make sure all the loose debris is emptied out too.”
Also, if you have smelly food scraps, store them in a plastic bag in the freezer until you’re ready to take out the trash, says Knoll. “But a common mistake is forgetting they’re in there!” he says. “Then weeks later, you find a surprise.”
Double Up on Bags or Use a Liner
An extra layer of protection will help keep leaks and grime from reaching the inside of your can. Especially if you’re tossing out something stinky, like seafood scraps, be sure to double-bag it.
“You can also put a few sheets of newspaper or paper towels between the layers to absorb moisture, or cut a garbage bag to fit the bottom of the can as a permanent liner under the trash bag,” says Knoll Just be sure to promptly replace any pieces that get damp.
Keep It Dry
Moisture lets bacteria thrive, which means more smell. “So keeping the garbage can dry is a game-changer,” says Bossart. “If you notice condensation inside the can, wipe it out or sprinkle a little cat litter in the bottom, which will also absorb moisture and helps with odor control.”
Also, sunlight kills bacteria and dries out moisture, so after you’ve washed your can, leave it in the sun for a few hours.
Bag Strong-Smelling Trash Separately
Raw meat, seafood and dairy leftovers create the worst trash odors, so double-bag these items before throwing them away, says Anderson. “Some people don’t seal them tightly enough, allowing smells to escape,” he says. “I use small, sealed plastic bags before tossing them into the main trash.”
Also, if you don’t have a garbage disposal, collect wet waste in a separate container and then dispose of it at the end of the day, says Gomasi. “When wet waste is allowed to dry, it doesn’t smell bad so quickly,” he says.
Store the Trash Can in a Well-Ventilated Area
Placing a trash can in a stuffy, enclosed space traps odors. “If the space is too confined, the smell lingers and gets worse over time,” says Anderson. “Moving the trash can near a window or door helps odors dissipate faster.”
For outdoor bins, Bossart suggests to avoid leaving them in direct sunlight. “Heat just makes odors worse,” she says. “If your bin is in a garage, crack a window or add a small vent to keep the air moving.”
About the Experts
- Ryan Knoll is owner of Tidy Casa, which he founded in 2015. The company cleans more than 600 homes a month in the Phoenix and Tucson areas.
- Vanessa Bossart is owner of GreenTerra Cleaning Service in San Francisco, which specializes in eco-friendly cleaning solutions, including tricky jobs like sticker removal during move-out cleanings.
- Delah Gomasi is CEO at MaidForYou, a house cleaning agency based in Sydney, Australia. He has been in the cleaning industry for more than a decade and also writes all of the standard operating procedures for his professional cleaning teams.
- Cameron Anderson is founder of All Kind Gas & Plumbing, and has been an expert in both plumbing and cleaning for more than two decades.
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