Has this happened to you? You come home and open your front door, only to immediately get hit with a whiff of something nasty? Ick. Chances are, that unpleasant odor was your kitchen trash. It’s inevitable. Trash can odors are going to happen, but there are things you can do to fight the stank. Today I’m sharing a quick trick for eliminating trash can odors, plus some other pointers for keeping the smell at bay.
Your kitchen trash can has to deal with a lot of nastiness. Dinner scraps, spoiled food, coffee grounds… all those organics can create quite a pong, even if you take your trash out religiously. So, what’s my no-hassle secret for eliminating garbage can smells?
It’s a $6 air freshener from Target, stuck on the underside of the trash can lid.
It sounds simple enough, but this little trick is a serious game-changer. This cheap addition will create a pleasant smell-barrier, and tamper down embarrassing trash can odors, even if you forget to take the trash out. Get an air freshener with adhesive backing, or, attach your favorite deodorizer to the inside of your kitchen trash with removable Command strips.
This easy trick works wonders, but it only works if your trash can is clean! Keep reading to learn how to remove permanent odor from your garbage receptacle.
More Tips for Dealing with Trash Can Odors
If you’re still dealing with bad smells, try these additional methods for eliminating garbage can smells:
Kitty Litter – Not Just for Cats
You read that right. Cat litter can be used to neutralize garbage can smells! Sprinkle some at the bottom of your trash can (under the bag), and just as it works in a litter box, it’ll soak up moisture and odors.
Cleaning with Bleach
Sometimes a smelly trash can is simply a dirty trash can. Plastic is notorious for holding onto odor, and if you are still picking up whiffs of rotten food even after you’ve taken out the trash, a dirty can is probably the culprit. Use a bleach-based cleaning spray to clean the inside of your kitchen trash can to kill bacteria and odor. Be sure to let the bleach solution sit on the surface of your can for up to 10 minutes before wiping it clean.
Baking Soda to Clean and Deodorize
You may already know that an open box of baking soda in the refrigerator can keep your ice box fresher, but did you know you can apply the same technique as a trash can deodorizer? Sprinkle a little baking soda at the bottom of your trash can, and the baking soda will soak up moisture and scent.
And, if you’re looking for a more natural alternative to cleaning with bleach, you can bring your can back to its former glory with baking soda instead. Generously dust baking soda to the inside and outside of your can, and scrub clean with warm water.
Everyday Cleaning
One of the best ways to keep trash can odors from returning is to be consistent. Take the trash out frequently (every day, or every other day), and when the bag is out of the can, use all-purpose cleaner or a vinegar/water mixture to wipe the can clean.
Ultimately, a well-placed air freshener creates a great barrier for keeping icky smells where they belong. Do you have any tricks for dealing with unpleasant scents in your house? Let me know in the comments!
Looking to give your trash can a makeover? Check out this easy DIY PANTONE look!
Good ideas here! Wardrobe boxes are expensive. I get heavy duty rubber bands and I band bunches of hangers together. I put a trash bag over them like a garment bag and close the bottom, in case any clothes come off the hangar. Then you can lay them down in your car backseat or hang them somewhere.