How to get rid of trash can odor naturally
3 min read
You can knock back garbage can odor with a few things already in your kitchen. These natural methods help, though the lasting fix is still removing the residue the smell lives in.
Natural methods that help
Sprinkle baking soda in the bottom of the can to absorb odor. Rinse the can with a mix of water and white vinegar to cut grease and neutralize smells. Then tip the can over and let it dry fully in direct sun, which kills bacteria and airs it out.
Dropping a little baking soda or a few citrus peels in the bottom between washes keeps things fresher for longer.
Why the smell comes back
These methods treat the surface, but odor lives in the food residue soaked into scratches in the plastic. Until that is washed out with hot water and a sanitizer, the smell returns. A regular deep clean is what keeps it gone.