🗑️👃 Stinky (indoor) trash bin? Here’s some quick fixes!

Kitchen trash bins quickly become a breeding ground for bacteria and unpleasant odors if not maintained properly. Like, all the time. With a few easy steps, you can keep ‘em clean and odor-free, ensuring that your home smells fresh and your kitchen hygienic.

1. The Trash Bag

• Double bag when necessary: For particularly smelly items such as raw meat, seafood, or dairy products, double bagging will help contain odors.
• Choose the right size: Ensure the liner fits the bin perfectly to prevent spills.

2. Clean Your Garbage Bin Regularly Regular cleaning is the most effective way to prevent lingering odors and bacteria buildup. Cleaning your indoor garbage bins once a week can make a significant difference. Here’s a simple non-toxic cleaning method:

• Empty the bin: Remove any remaining trash.
• Rinse with water: Use a hose to rinse out loose debris.
• Scrub with a disinfectant: Use warm soapy water or a homemade cleaner (vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice are great options). Scrub the interior with a long-handled brush.
• Rinse and dry: Rinse thoroughly and let the bin dry completely before adding a new liner. A dry bin is less likely to attract pests and mold.

3. Absorb Odors Naturally After cleaning your garbage bin, consider placing natural deodorizers inside to absorb smells between trash collections. These are non-toxic, easy to find, and effective:

• Baking soda: Sprinkle some baking soda at the bottom of the bin before putting in a new liner. It absorbs moisture and neutralizes odors.
• Charcoal: Place a bag of activated charcoal like these in the bin. It’s great for absorbing strong odors.
• Coffee grounds: Used coffee grounds also work wonders to mask bad smells. Just dry them out and place a small container of grounds at the bottom of your bin.

4. Control Moisture Levels Garbage bins often become smelly because of liquid buildup at the bottom. To avoid this, take a few preventative steps:

• Add paper towels or newspaper: Line the bottom of your bin with paper towels or old newspapers. They’ll soak up any liquids from leaking garbage.
• Keep liquids out: Avoid tossing wet food waste into the bin. Drain excess liquids from food scraps before disposing of them.

5. Seal Food Waste Properly Smelly food waste is yuck. To minimize smells, always seal food waste tightly.

• Use airtight bags or containers: Store food scraps or leftovers in airtight containers or sealable bags before tossing them in the bin.
• Compost food waste: Consider composting certain food scraps. This not only reduces odors but is also eco-friendly.

6. Keep Lids Tightly Sealed Always keep the lid of your garbage bin tightly closed. This reduces the escape of odors and prevents flies, rodents, and other pests from getting inside.

7. Keep the Bin in a Cool Place Garbage breaks down faster in warmer temperatures, leading to stronger odors. If possible, keep your bins in a shaded, cool area to slow the decomposition process.