Smelling Your Garbage Cans? The Underrated Trick To Give Them A Deep Clean

It's pretty normal for garbage cans to smell, but they can reach a point where the smell is bad enough that it simply has to be dealt with. Even trash cans that aren't quite as odorous deserve a deep clean, say, if you have incoming guests or there are neighborhood animals breaking into bins. Luckily, there's a simple and highly effective way to clean out your garbage. Using a steam cleaner, you can wash the inside of your can, getting rid of grime and smells. While you may think of steam cleaning as just a way to clean carpets or curtains, it can do more than that! It's an effective way to sanitize your indoor or outdoor garbage cans and eliminate odors without harsh chemicals. Plus, it's eco-friendly, which is great if you're looking for ways to make your home more sustainable.

The hot steam produced by steamers is excellent at loosening stuck-on grime, and it can dissolve residues just like regular water. The heat can also kill a variety of bacteria, and since all three of those can be sources of unpleasant odors, having a steam cleaner on hand is pretty useful. If you don't already own one, you may want to buy one, because they make it much easier to add your trash can to the list of kitchen items you should clean every Sunday for a fresh start to your week. Don't worry, you don't need a super powerful or fancy steamer to clean your garbage can. A simple hand steamer will work just fine.

Before you begin, if you're using a new steamer, look through the instruction manual to ensure you know how to use it properly. Take the trash bag out of the can and remove any large scraps that fell out or slipped past the liner. You may also want to take care of any bugs in the bin first, especially if you're cleaning an outdoor bin. While steam can kill a variety of insects, including maggots, if it's hot enough, a small hand steamer may not be the most pleasant way to get rid of them all at once. A steamer with a longer reach means you won't have to get your hands as close. However, we've covered other ways to get rid of maggots in garbage bins, if you'd rather tackle bugs a different way.

When steam-cleaning your trash can, work your way up and down each side on the inside of the can so every part gets a healthy dose of steam. You can steam clean the outside of the bin as well. Linger over stuck-on grime or residue to blast it with a little extra steam, then use a sponge, paper towel, or scraper to wipe it off. If you have a particularly strong odor in the bin, but no visible source, wipe down the inside just to be sure whatever is causing the smell is removed. Otherwise, the moisture from the steam will evaporate on its own and doesn't need to be dried. If you're still unsure about handling this yourself, there may be cleaning companies in your area that offer steam cleaning garbage cans as a service.