Preventing mold in your garbage can
2 min read
The dark, damp inside of a closed garbage can is close to ideal for mold, which can start forming in as little as 24 to 48 hours in warm, humid conditions. Keeping it dry and clean is how you prevent it.
Why mold forms
Mold needs moisture, warmth, and food, and a dirty can offers all three. Liquids pooling at the bottom and food residue on the walls feed it, and a closed lid traps the humidity it needs.
How to prevent it
Keep liquids out of the can, bag wet waste, and let the can dry fully in the sun after any rinse. The surest prevention is a regular sanitizing wash that removes the residue and kills spores before mold can take hold.