A dirty garbage can is unsightly and smelly. Fortunately, you can easily clean up your garbage can so it doesn’t cause any negative odors in your space. You can pull out large particles and take it outside to hose it off. You can also use soap and water and a scrubbing brush to deep clean it. To keep your garbage can from smelling, change out the trash bag every day and give the inside of the can a quick spritz of a cleaning solution.
Put on a pair of rubber gloves.
A thick pair of rubber cleaning gloves will keep your hands protected from any bits of old food and trash while you’re cleaning out your garbage can. Use a pair of well-fitting rubber gloves so you can work to clean out the can and keep your hands from being exposed to the bacteria and gunk in the can.
•You can find rubber cleaning gloves at department stores and online.
•Make sure there aren’t any holes or tears in the gloves before you start cleaning out the can.
Empty out the trash and pull out any large particles.
Remove the garbage bag from the can if there is one. Use your hands to pull out any large bits of food or debris that are in the can. If any bits are stuck to the sides, pry them off with your fingers.
•Throw any garbage that you remove into the bag you removed or another trash bag to dispose of it
Take the garbage can outside.
Find an area where you can spray down the garbage can with a hose without damaging any plants or furniture. You also don’t want the water to run off onto a public street. Your backyard or a side alley away from pedestrian traffic will work as suitable areas to clean out the garbage can.
•You can lay down a plastic sheet or tarp over your grass if you want to keep it protected from the water used to clean out the garbage can.
Spray down the inside and outside of the can with a garden hose.
Aim the stream of water all over the garbage can. Pay extra attention to the inside, and focus the stream to spray off any stubborn, stuck-on bits of food or debris.
•Empty the water out of the can periodically so you can continue to spray all of the inside areas with the hose.
Wipe the can dry with paper towels.
Use a clean towel or paper towels to wipe down the inside and outside of the garbage can when you’re finished hosing it down. The can needs to be completely dry before you put a new garbage bag inside of it or odor-causing bacteria could form and cause the can to stink.[2]
•Be sure to wipe down the corners and the bottom of the garbage can.