Why your trash can smells worse in summer
2 min read
If your can is bearable in winter but unbearable in July, you are not imagining it. Heat accelerates everything that makes a can smell, so summer calls for more frequent cleaning.
What heat does
Warmth speeds up the bacteria breaking down food waste, which produces more odor faster. In hot, humid conditions mold can start forming inside a neglected can in as little as 24 to 48 hours, and flies breed in days rather than weeks.
What to do about it
Move to a shorter cleaning cadence in the warm months, every two weeks instead of monthly if your can needs it. Keep the can in shade, bag your trash well, and rinse spills quickly. A sanitizing wash resets the can before the heat can turn it.