Have you ever opened your outdoor trash can and been met with the stench of rotten garbage and the sight of squirming maggots? Yuck! I know the feeling all too well. Just the other day, I was taking out the trash when I encountered my worst nightmare – a garbage bin that looked (and smelled) absolutely horrendous.
The Dilemma
As I stood there, holding my nose and trying not to gag, I immediately called my husband to come take a look. “Honey, you have to do something about this trash can, it’s so gross!” I pleaded. Being the ever-helpful partner that he is, he calmly replied, “Whatever you need to do, Jess.”
Well, I wasn’t about to sit idly by and let a professional trash can cleaning service charge me $45 to do the dirty work. No way! I was determined to tackle this problem head-on and save a few bucks in the process. After all, how hard could it be to clean out my own outdoor garbage bin?
The Solution
So, I decided to wait until after the next trash pickup day and set out to clean that sucker myself, no matter how unpleasant the task. And you know what? It ended up being a lot easier than I had anticipated! In fact, with a few simple DIY cleaning tricks, I had that trash can looking and smelling fresh in no time.
Step-by-Step Cleaning
Here’s how I did it:
1. Gather Your Supplies
To start, I gathered the following supplies:
– 4 cups of distilled vinegar
– 1/2 cup of dish soap
– A long-handled scrub brush or extendable brush
– A garden hose
2. Make the Cleaning Solution
I combined the vinegar and dish soap in a large bucket, then filled the rest of the bucket with water to create a powerful cleaning solution.
3. Scrub the Interior
Using the long-handled brush, I dipped it into the cleaning solution and started scrubbing the inside of the trash can. The extendable brush was a lifesaver, as it allowed me to reach the bottom and sides without having to stick my whole arm in there.
4. Rinse and Drain
Once I had given the interior a thorough scrubbing, I tipped the can on its side to let all the gunk and dirty water drain out. I laid down a tarp first to catch any mess.
5. Clean the Exterior
Next, I used the same scrub brush and cleaning solution to give the outside of the can a good scrub-down. Then I rinsed it off with the hose.
6. Let it Dry
I left the lid open and allowed the can to air dry overnight before putting it back into service.
The Mom4Real blog has a great video that shows this process in action. I followed their steps exactly and was amazed at how well it worked!
Keeping it Clean
Of course, the hard work doesn’t stop there. To keep my trash can fresh and gunk-free, I’ve implemented a few additional strategies:
- Don’t Overstuff Trash Bags: Overstuffed bags are harder to tie up and can lead to spills and leaks.
- Seal Trash Bags Tightly: This helps prevent flies, maggots, and other nasties from getting in.
- Recycle Properly: Recycling as much as possible reduces the amount of stinky garbage in the can.
- Rinse After Pickup: A quick hose-down after each trash pickup helps wash away any lingering liquids or debris.
By following these simple tips, I’ve been able to keep my outdoor trash can in tip-top shape, even during the hottest summer months. No more gagging or maggots for this gal!
Conclusion
If you’re tired of dealing with a smelly, dirty trash can, I highly recommend giving this DIY cleaning method a try. It’s quick, easy, and incredibly effective – not to mention way cheaper than hiring a professional service.
So, what are you waiting for? Head to the store, gather your supplies, and get to scrubbing! Your nose (and your wallet) will thank you.
And remember, if you’re ever in need of professional cleaning services in the Nottingham, UK area, be sure to check out Adam Cleaning. They’ve got your back when it comes to keeping your home and business spick and span!
