How to Remove Odors from a Trash Can

Do you have a stinky trash can? Have you tried everything to kill that putrid odor? Well, with a heavy-duty cleaning and a little future preventative maintenance, you can accomplish odor-free trash bins. Here's how to do it.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bleach
• Long-handled brush
• Bag of charcoal
• Baking soda

Remove the Odor

1. Hose down the can on a sunny day. Pour one gallon of water mixed with three cups of bleach into the rinsed trash can.

2. Agitate the bleach and water mixture in the can. Let it sit for one hour, stirring the bleach every ten minutes.

3. Use a long-handled brush to scrub the sides of the can. Pour out the bleach and water. Be sure you scrub the lid as well.

4. Let the can and lid dry in a sunny spot. The ultraviolet light from the sun kills the odor-causing organisms.

5. Be sure to let the can dry before adding any new trash.

Prevent a Smelly Trash Can

6. Prevent bag leaks in your trash bags before you put them into the can. You can prevent garbage can odors by preventing bag leaks. This is the cause of most smells in your can.

7. Add baking soda to your kitchen trash bags and can to absorb odors.

8. Make sure you secure anything wet inside a tightly tied plastic bag. Don't put any trash unbagged trash in your can.

9. After you empty the can, let the can air out overnight.

10. Wash your can out with the bleach solution at least once a month to prevent the problem.

Tips & Warnings

• If the smell does not go away, you may need a new trash can.