Bin cleaning tips to keep bugs and smells at bay
Kitchen and wheelie refuse bins are a magnet for insects and bacteria so it's important to keep on top of its cleanliness. Whether you're looking for wheelie bin cleaning tips, or more general advice for cleaning rubbish bins in the home, here's how to keep them clean and smelling sweet.
Bin cleaning in the kitchen
This applies to a regular rubbish bin, food caddy, and recycling waste bins.
• First of all, use a bin with a lid to contain bad smells and keep insects out. Bear in mind that swing-lid bins are not always the most practical, as your hands will probably touch the lid each time you throw rubbish in it, so it can get messy too. Pedal bins are ideal.
• Wipe the bin lid and sides daily using antibacterial spray cleaner and paper towels. Stick to this so that it just becomes a regular part of your cleaning routine.
• Do a deep clean once a week – wash and disinfect the bin thoroughly with hot water and a liquid disinfectant. Scrub hard with a brush, paying particular attention to the bottom of the bin, as this is where the most unpleasant smells are. Or, you could use a pressure washer if you have one.
Alternatively...
Use baking soda: Just sprinkle some baking soda at the bottom of your bin and add water to dissolve any build ups and to give it a good cleanse.
Citrus peel: This is a temporary solution, but throwing some lemon or orange peel into your rubbish bin will help to keep smells at bay in the short term.
Buy scented bin liners: There are plenty of fragranced bin liners on the market with a strong fresh smell to conceal other unpleasant odours. Try Vileda's lavender scented bin bags.
Make a compost: Throw organic waste in a compost bin instead of your regular rubbish bin, which can be a great addition to your garden.
Wheelie bin cleaning outside your home
Wheelie bins can attract flies, wasps, foxes, mice and rats if the bin has a strong odour or if it is over-filled.
• Wheelie bins and dustbins are magnets for bacteria and insects. You can reduce this by rinsing out packaging such as tins and bottles beforehand, and squeezing air out of rubbish bags and tying them before putting into the bin (the lack of air slows down the decomposition rate).
• If possible, store outside bins in the shade to minimise smells and reduce the likelihood of attracting flies. If a bin is exposed to sunlight it will only speed up the rotting effect.
• Try smearing citronella oil, a natural insect repeller, around the lid of the bin if flies do become a problem.
• Wash outdoor bins once a month by squirting some bleach into them and half filling with water. Swill this around and leave to sit for an hour or so. Tip the dirty water into an outside drain and rinse the bin again, inside and out, with clean water. Turn upside-down to drain dry.
Alternatively...
• There are plenty of cleaning companies offering domestic bin cleaning service, including food caddies, for a one-off payment or a more regular cleaning schedule.
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