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Are you looking for a bin odour eliminator? Then you’re in the right place because, in this article, we’re sharing our top hacks and tips on keeping your bin or wheelie bin smelling fresh.
General Methods to Stop Your Bin Smelling
We know that keeping your home clean can be mundane and tiring, so here are some quick tips on how to stop a kitchen bin from smelling and taking over your home.
Add Odour Eliminators
Sprinkle coffee, bicarbonate of soda, lemon or vinegar at the bottom of the bin to neutralise any smells and use to keep your bin fresh every time you open it. You can also spray an antibacterial solution into your bins to overpower any bad smell instantly. Lastly, use scented bin liners for an odour-free kitchen bin.
Clean It
Regularly wipe down the lid—especially the moment that you spill any waste. Rinse any materials that you can’t recycle but have residue on them. For example, bins only get smelly based on what’s inside of them.
Maintain Your Bins
Use thick bin bags that won’t rip or tear as soon as you place material into the bag. What’s more, keep the lid shut at all times. Frequently place old trash into the outside wheelie bin. The same goes for stinky food. Avoid keeping smelly food in the bin for days at a time. Instead, regularly empty the trash into your outside wheelie bin.
Hacks to Prevent a Smelly Kitchen Bin
You shouldn’t have to deal with a bad smell in your kitchen, so here are some proactive actions you can undergo every week to keep your bins in top form.
Place Old Newspaper at the Bottom of the Bin
It’s common for old liquids and moisture to build up in your bin, making it difficult to clean. To prevent a bin that looks and smells dirty, collect some old newspaper and papers from around the house and place them in the bin. These few layers of paper will soak up any liquids that might be lingering in the bin. Plus, if any pungent foods—such as onions, garlic and meat—fall to the bottom, it’s easy to wrap up the newspaper and place it in a compost bin (to eliminate waste) than scrap the residue out of the plastic bin.
Sprinkle Baking Soda in the Bin
An effective and cheap way to keep your kitchen bin fresh and remove any nasty smells is to use baking soda inside the bin. This household white powder works wonders for absorbing nasty odours. Plus, you don’t have to make a paste or solution; it’s a simple antibacterial powder that you probably have lying around the house anyway.
Use Cat Litter
Cat litter isn’t just designed for your feline friend. Litter is excellent at absorbing bad smells and absorbing bacteria-causing moisture, so add some to the bottom of your bin to collect any nastiness from leftover food in your kitchen bin. Putting litter in the bin absorbs any odour, and it easily comes out without you having to remove it with soap and water.
Squeeze Lemon in the Bin
Squeeze the juice out of fresh lemon and add it to your wheeling bin and kitchen bin to cover any bad smells. You can then place the lemon slices at the base of the bin or inside the bin liner to cover up the smell of any rotting food.
Add Vinegar to the Bin
Another household solution that you probably have lying around is vinegar. Not only is this great for your chips, but vinegar can also kill bacteria and sanitise your bin. Simply spray vinegar on the inside of your bin and remove it with a dry cloth. Of course, there will still be some residue remaining in the bin, and that’s okay. In fact, you want some vinegar at the bottom to absorb any odours.
Leave this solution to work its magic overnight and kill as many bacteria as possible. Then, for the best results, keep the smelly bin in the garden because the UV rays will assist the vinegar in killing more bacteria. The following day, wash the bin with soapy water, allow it to air dry and bring it back indoors.
Add Coffee Ground to Bags
Ditch store-bought coffee and switch to making your own at home to not only help you save money but to pour away any leftover coffee grounds in the bin to prevent any foul smell. You can pour the coffee directly into the bag and even place it at the base of the bin to retain any moisture and keep your kitchen smelling as fresh as a daisy.
Wash Your Bin With Bleach
Bleach is an effective solution for banishing any odour. But it can also completely kill bacteria that create the smell in the first place. Simply mix bleach with water and scrub your bin when it’s empty (ensure that you wear gloves during this process). Then, allow your bin to air dry outside for a quick and effective way to clean your bin.
Store Your Bin Away From Heat
Did you know that heat can encourage the fermentation process and promote the spread of germs? In this case, ensure that you store your rubbish bin away from any direct heat source, including a window where direct sunlight can add heat to the bin, and you should also keep it away from a hot stove. Preferably, store your bin in a shaded area in your home.
Deep Clean your Bin
Washing your bin once a week with a wipe down is a sure way to keep any odours away. However, you should also get into the routine of cleaning your bin every few weeks to discourage any files, odours or bacteria caused by leftover food from building up. One quick way to deep clean your bin is to hose it in the garden and pour soapy water inside. Leave for a couple of hours and use a scrubber to ensure that the bottom and sides are clean. You can even follow up with a steamer to absorb any bad odours.
Don’t Place Leftover Food Inside
If you have leftover food from a meal, resist the ease of placing scraps into your inside bin. Instead, keep this rubbish in your designated food bin outside to prevent any flies inside of your house.
Use Cleaning Tricks
Now you know how to stop a kitchen bin from smelling. Regular cleaning is much more efficient than deep cleaning twice a year. Our cleaning tricks or homemade remedies will help you in your quest to keep your house smelling fresh and clean.
How do you prevent nasty odour in your kitchen? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Amy is a U.K.-based writer and editor with a penchant for helping consumers find the best home products for their needs, as well as providing easily digestible guides for living better at home. Her dedication to her work means she can usually be found elbow-deep in research or hunting down samples of the latest and greatest on behalf of her readers.
An avid DIYer herself, Amy’s passion lies in teaching others how they too can achieve their dream homes by tackling some of those pesky projects themselves! Whether it’s building furniture from scratch or turning an old dresser into a coffee table, Amy is always happy to share what she knows about making your house feel like home without spending a fortune.
