How To Keep Your Garbage Can From Smelling
Cleaning your kitchen can feel like it’s all for nothing if the garbage can smells bad. It’s one of those problems that becomes hard to ignore when the odor hits you right in the face. The good news is, you don’t need fancy sprays or complicated garbage routines to keep things fresh. With a few simple habits and clever little tricks, you can keep your garbage can smelling a whole lot better.
Give The Can A Real Cleaning Now And Then
Even with a garbage bin liner, some gunk often still manages to sneak down into the bottom of the can. Every couple of weeks, rinse it out with warm soapy water or a mix of vinegar and water. Let your garbage can dry completely before putting in a new bag. It’s amazing how much fresher everything smells once the can itself is clean. It’s not a glamorous job, but it makes a huge difference.
Use The Right Size Trash Bag
A bag that’s too small slips down, leaks, and turns the bottom of the can into a sticky mess. A bag that’s too big just wastes space and doesn’t seal odors well. Using the right size liner for your garbage can keeps things contained and helps prevent spills. It’s such a small detail, but it keeps the whole system working smoothly and keeps your nose a lot happier.
Sprinkle Something At The Bottom
A little baking soda or a few tablespoons of cat litter at the bottom of the can can absorb moisture and neutralize odors. You don’t need a lot, just enough to cover the base of the container. Replace it once a week or whenever the can starts smelling musty again. It’s one of those affordable, old-school tricks that you still hear today because it actually works.
Clean As You Go With Smelly Foods
Things like raw meat containers, seafood shells, and onion scraps start to stink fast. If you can, wrap them tightly in a small bag or repurpose a plastic grocery produce bag before tossing them. Or, go one step further and put the really smelly bits in the freezer until garbage day. It sounds strange, but it prevents those lingering, sour smells that love to take over your kitchen.
Keep The Trash Can Dry
Moisture is the enemy of freshness. If liquids pool at the bottom of the bag or drips inside the can, that’s when odors really settle in. And before putting in a new bag, make sure the can is completely dry. If you notice condensation or a spill, give it a quick wipe before it can get stuck on. The drier the can stays, the less chance anything has to grow, rot, or stink.
Let A Little Air In
Ironically, sealing a garbage can too tightly can make odors stronger. If you’re using a can with a strong lid, crack it open now and then or leave it slightly ajar when the trash isn’t full. A tiny bit of airflow keeps smells from building up into that intense “whoa” moment when you finally open the lid. Fresh air really does help.
Take Out the Trash Before It Gets Bad
Sometimes the simplest fix is the best one. Don’t wait for the bag to be overflowing before taking it out. If it starts smelling off, just get rid of it, even if it’s only half full. You’ll save yourself a lot of nose-wrinkling moments and keep the whole room feeling more pleasant. You might feel like you’re wasting a garbage bag, but it can be worth it to avoid a stinky kitchen.
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All it takes to keep your garbage can from smelling is a few easy habits that add up. Cleaning the can occasionally, keeping things dry, and dealing with smelly scraps before they take over can make your kitchen feel cleaner and calmer. With a little attention, that dreaded garbage odor becomes just one more thing of the past without much effort at all.
Bliss Donahue-Power
