How to clean a garbage can yourself, and when to hire a pro
4 min read
Cleaning a garbage can yourself is straightforward, if you have the space, the time, and a way to deal with the dirty water. Here is how to do it properly, and the point at which paying for a wash is the easier call.
What you will need
A hose, a stiff long handled brush, dish soap or a cleaner, a disinfectant, and gloves. Pick a spot where the runoff will not flow into a storm drain or your vegetable garden, since it carries food waste and cleaner.
Step by step
Empty the can and rinse it with the hose. Add soap and hot water, then scrub the inside walls, bottom, lid, and rim with the brush, paying attention to the corners and the underside of the lid where residue hides.
Rinse thoroughly, apply a disinfectant and let it sit for the time on the label, then rinse again. Tip the can upside down and let it dry fully in the sun, since a damp can grows bacteria faster.
The limits of doing it yourself
Household water is not hot enough to sanitize the way commercial equipment is, a hose does not reach the pressure needed to blast residue out of scratches, and you are left with a can of dirty wastewater to deal with responsibly. It is also a job that is easy to put off.
When a professional wash makes sense
If you do not want to handle the mess, do not have hot water and pressure, or simply will not keep up with it, a cleaning service does it on a schedule with contained runoff and a sanitizing finish. It is also the better option for heavy cans, multiple cans, or shared bins at a property.