18 Comments
I’m not arguing that trash should smell great, but it sure stinks (pun intended) to have distinctly unpleasant odors emanating from your garbage can! And to add insult to injury, the odor often lingers in the kitchen even after you’ve removed the offending garbage bag. :-(
Luckily, we don’t have to resign ourselves to a lifetime of dealing with trash odor. In fact, there are 3 steps you can take to avoid a stinky garbage can, and none of them are particularly difficult or time-consuming!
So for the sake of our noses and the overall aroma of our homes, let’s talk trash!
3 Effective Ways To Avoid A Stinky Garbage Can
1. Beware The Worst Offenders
Certain things are almost guaranteed to make your garbage smell funky after a while, like seafood and produce scraps. The way you handle these items can help prevent them from stinking up the rest of the trash!
One way to deal with the worst offenders is skip the garbage can and take them directly to your compost bin, outdoor garbage can, or dumpster. Alternatively, you could wrap the worst offenders in something that will help trap the odor, like a bag or some food wrap. (Ideally you would use something that you were going to throw away anyway to avoid unnecessary waste!)
2. Use Odor Absorbers
In addition to preventing odor by addressing the worst offenders, use odor absorbing materials to keep your garbage fresh. Learn how to make your own deodorizer disks here, then keep one in the bottom of your garbage can to help control odor over time.
Other effective odor absorbers include baking soda, ground coffee, and kitty litter. Sprinkle a handful of one of them into the bottom of your garbage can, and if you have issues with moisture, you may want to line the bottom of the can with newspaper too.
3. Keep The Can Clean
The final piece of the odor prevention puzzle is to thoroughly clean your garbage can regularly. A solution of equal parts water and white vinegar is all you need to eliminate odors and freshen up even the funkiest garbage can!
If you or your family is sensitive to the smell of plain white vinegar, I recommend trying out my scented cleaning vinegar instead! It leaves behind a fresh, citrus-y scent, which always screams “clean!”
How do you prevent or eliminate garbage can odors in your home?
