Taking out the trash is one of the most dreaded chores because of the smelly and unpleasant bins sitting outside. This is not unusual considering that you put all kinds of trash in there, from food scraps and dirty diapers to used tissues and pet waste, and then leave it to bake in the sun until it is collected. Of course it will cause offensive odours, attract unwanted pests, and create a health hazard. So, how do you keep your waste bins looking great and odour-free?
Here are some useful tips to help with this:
- Try to reduce the amount of waste that needs to be disposed by recycling as much as possible.
- Always put the trash in bags before putting it in the bin. If you don’t have black bags, simply re-use old carrier bags to contain the rubbish.
- Keep outdoor bins in a shady, well-ventilated, and convenient location. Placing the bins away from direct sunlight helps to slow down decomposition, which, in turn, reduces smells and slows the development of maggots.
- Keep the bin area clean at all times by cleaning up any spillages on the lip or outside of the bin. These spills not only cause foul smells, but also attract flies and vermin.
- Keep the bin lids closed at all times to prevent flies from laying eggs in the waste and stop the smell from spreading. This will also prevent cats, birds, and dogs from accessing the trash bags and splitting them open. If your bin is damaged, contact your trash disposal company to arrange a replacement.
- Avoid overfilling your bins. If your current bin capacity is insufficient, contact the relevant party for alternate service options and related costs.
- Clean your bin immediately after trash collection. Move the bin to a suitable place, preferably a grassy area, where you will be comfortable spilling water and soap, like the driveway or backyard. Use some biodegradable cleaner or dishwashing liquid or dilute bleach or vinegar and water solution to wipe down the inside and outside while killing bacteria, odours and flies. Use a mop or garden hose to clean the inside of the bin and then pour the contents on the grass. Rinse the bin with clean water.
- If you don’t want to clean the bin yourself, there are some professional bin cleaners who can do it for you.
Lastly, before you take out the trash, remember to always sort and separate recyclables, food waste, and general waste at the source. This might require you to have separate kitchen bins for food scraps, recyclables, and general waste.
