How to Clean a Trash Can: A Step-by-Step Homeowner’s Guide
Fortunately, cleaning a trash can yourself doesn’t have to be complicated.
With a few basic supplies and the right cleaning process, homeowners can remove everyday dirt, wash away food residue, and help keep their garbage cans cleaner and fresher between trash collection days.
In this step-by-step guide, we’ll explain how to clean a trash can, what supplies you’ll need, how to tackle stubborn odors and buildup, and when professional trash bin cleaning may be a better option.
Whether you’re cleaning your bins for the first time or maintaining them between professional cleanings, these practical tips can help make the job easier.
What You’ll Need to Clean a Trash Can
Before you start cleaning your trash can, gather a few basic supplies. Having everything ready makes the process easier and helps you avoid spreading dirt and grime around your driveway or yard.
Recommended trash can cleaning supplies:
- Garden hose with a spray nozzle
- Long-handled scrub brush with stiff bristles
- Bucket of warm water
- Mild dish soap or a cleaner suitable for your trash bin
- Rubber cleaning gloves
- Old towels or cleaning cloths
- Protective eyewear to prevent splashes
Choose an outdoor cleaning area where you can safely collect or dispose of dirty wash water according to local requirements. Avoid allowing soapy water or contaminated runoff to enter storm drains.
For most routine trash can cleaning, warm water, mild soap, and a good scrub brush are enough to get started. More stubborn buildup may require additional scrubbing or a cleaner specifically designed for the material you’re washing.
How to Clean a Trash Can: Step-by-Step Instructions
Cleaning your trash can regularly can help remove food residue, dirt, and grime before they develop into stubborn odors and buildup. Follow these simple steps to give your garbage bin a thorough cleaning.
Step 1: Empty the Trash Can Completely
Start with an empty trash can, preferably after your regular garbage collection. Remove any remaining bags, loose debris, or items stuck to the bottom of the bin.
Wear gloves when handling dirty materials, and avoid touching sharp objects or broken glass directly.
Step 2: Rinse the Inside of the Bin
Use a garden hose with a spray nozzle to rinse the inside walls, bottom, and lid of your trash can. This helps loosen dirt, dried liquids, and food residue before scrubbing.
Use a controlled spray to minimize splashing and keep dirty water from entering storm drains.
Step 3: Apply Soap and Scrub Thoroughly
Add mild dish soap and warm water to the bin, then use a long-handled brush to scrub the interior surfaces.
Pay special attention to:
- The bottom of the trash can
- Interior corners and seams
- The underside of the lid
- Areas where garbage bags frequently leak
- Stubborn food residue and dried grime
For particularly dirty areas, allow the soapy water to sit briefly before scrubbing again.
Step 4: Rinse Away Soap and Loosened Grime
Rinse the bin thoroughly to remove soap, dirt, and loosened residue. Inspect the bottom and corners to make sure no visible buildup remains.
Collect and dispose of dirty wash water appropriately rather than allowing it to flow into a street or storm drain.
Step 5: Allow the Trash Can to Dry
After cleaning, leave the lid open and allow the trash can to air-dry completely when weather permits.
Drying helps reduce trapped moisture that can contribute to unpleasant odors. Once dry, close the lid and return the bin to its normal storage location.
How to Remove Stubborn Odors and Buildup From Trash Cans
Sometimes a basic wash isn’t enough to remove stubborn odors, dried food residue, or grime that has been sitting inside a trash can for weeks or months.
If your garbage bin still smells or looks dirty after cleaning, a few additional steps may help.
1. Scrub Stubborn Residue Again
Food waste, grease, and dried liquids can stick to the bottom and sides of a trash can. Apply a little more mild dish soap and warm water, allow it to sit briefly, and scrub the affected areas again with a long-handled brush.
2. Pay Attention to the Lid and Corners
The underside of the lid, interior corners, and seams can collect residue that is easy to overlook during routine cleaning.
Inspect these areas carefully and scrub away any remaining buildup.
3. Address Lingering Odors
If unpleasant smells remain after washing, check for hidden food residue, trapped liquids, or debris beneath the lid and around the bottom of the bin.
After removing the source of the odor, rinse thoroughly and allow the trash can to dry completely.
4. Know When a Deeper Cleaning Is Needed
If repeated scrubbing doesn’t remove stubborn buildup or odors return quickly, your trash can may benefit from professional cleaning equipment designed to remove residue from difficult-to-reach surfaces.
Never mix household cleaning chemicals, especially bleach with ammonia or acidic cleaners. Always follow the product manufacturer’s instructions.
How to Keep Trash Cans Cleaner Between Washes
Once you’ve cleaned your trash can, a few simple habits can help prevent odors, food residue, and grime from building up again.
1. Bag Household Garbage Properly
Use sturdy garbage bags and tie them securely before placing them in your trash can. This helps reduce leaks from food scraps, liquids, and other household waste.
2. Keep the Trash Can Lid Closed
A closed lid helps limit access for flies and other pests. Make sure the lid closes properly and isn’t blocked by overflowing garbage.
3. Avoid Pouring Liquids Into Your Trash Can
Leftover drinks, cooking liquids, and other household waste can collect at the bottom of your bin and create unpleasant odors. Dispose of liquids appropriately rather than pouring them into your garbage can.
4. Remove Loose Debris After Trash Pickup
After your garbage is collected, check the bottom of the bin for loose trash, food scraps, or leaking bags. Removing debris early can help prevent stubborn buildup.
5. Keep Your Trash Can Dry When Possible
Moisture can contribute to lingering odors. After washing your bin, allow it to dry thoroughly before closing the lid or adding new garbage.
6. Establish a Regular Cleaning Schedule
Even with good habits, trash cans eventually accumulate dirt and residue. Cleaning regularly can help prevent minor problems from becoming more difficult to manage.
For additional guidance, read our homeowner’s guide to how often you should clean your trash cans.
Common Trash Can Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid
Cleaning a garbage can may seem straightforward, but a few common mistakes can make the job less effective or create unnecessary problems.
1. Using Too Much Cleaning Solution
Adding extra soap doesn’t necessarily make a trash can cleaner. Too much detergent can leave behind residue that requires additional rinsing. Follow the cleaning product’s recommended directions.
2. Mixing Household Cleaning Chemicals
Never combine bleach with ammonia, vinegar, or other cleaning products. Mixing certain chemicals can release dangerous gases. Use one appropriate cleaning product at a time and follow its label instructions.
3. Forgetting the Lid, Corners, and Bottom
Food residue and grime often collect in areas that are easy to overlook. Scrub the underside of the lid, interior corners, and bottom of the bin instead of cleaning only the visible sidewalls.
4. Allowing Dirty Water to Enter Storm Drains
Trash can wash water may contain soap, food residue, and other contaminants. Avoid directing this wastewater into streets or storm drains. Collect and dispose of it according to local requirements.
5. Closing the Lid Before the Bin Is Dry
Trapped moisture can contribute to unpleasant odors. Whenever possible, allow the trash can to dry thoroughly before closing the lid or adding fresh garbage.
6. Waiting Until Odors Become Overwhelming
It’s generally easier to remove fresh residue than months of accumulated grime. Establishing a regular cleaning routine can make future cleanings quicker and more manageable.
DIY vs. Professional Trash Bin Cleaning: What’s the Difference?
Cleaning your own trash cans can be an effective way to remove everyday dirt, food residue, and unpleasant odors. However, there are some important differences between washing a bin yourself and using a professional trash bin cleaning service.
DIY Trash Can Cleaning
Cleaning your own garbage cans gives you control over when and how the work gets done. With a garden hose, mild detergent, and a scrub brush, you can remove visible grime and maintain your bins between deeper cleanings.
However, DIY cleaning requires your time, access to appropriate cleaning supplies, physical scrubbing, and a safe way to manage dirty wastewater.
Professional Trash Bin Cleaning
Professional trash bin cleaning services use specialized equipment designed to wash residential garbage bins more thoroughly and efficiently than typical household cleaning methods.
At Can Cleaners, LLC, we provide residential trash bin cleaning throughout the Des Moines metro area. Our service is scheduled for the day after your regular trash collection, when your bins are typically empty and ready to be cleaned.
When Professional Cleaning May Be Worth Considering
- Your trash cans have stubborn odors or accumulated grime.
- You don’t want to spend time scrubbing dirty garbage bins.
- You prefer regularly scheduled cleaning rather than remembering to do it yourself.
- You want to avoid handling dirty wash water and cleaning supplies.
- You want help maintaining cleaner bins throughout the cleaning season.
DIY cleaning and professional service don’t have to be an either-or decision. Many homeowners can benefit from simple maintenance between regularly scheduled professional cleanings.
How Often Should You Clean Your Trash Cans?
How frequently you should clean your trash cans depends on your household’s garbage habits, the time of year, and how quickly odors or residue develop.
Households that regularly dispose of food scraps, diapers, pet waste, or other messy garbage may need more frequent cleaning than households with very little waste.
Monthly Trash Bin Cleaning
Cleaning every four weeks can be a good option for busy households, especially during warmer months when odors and pest activity may increase.
Quarterly Trash Bin Cleaning
Cleaning every 12 weeks may work well for homeowners who want routine maintenance but don’t experience significant buildup between visits.
Spring & Fall Trash Bin Cleaning
Seasonal cleaning can help homeowners refresh their garbage bins at the beginning and end of the warmer cleaning season.
One-Time Trash Bin Cleaning
A one-time cleaning may be appropriate when your bins need extra attention after a spill, a particularly messy period, or months without cleaning.
Can Cleaners, LLC offers these cleaning options to homeowners throughout the Des Moines metro area. Our professional cleaning season generally runs from March through November.
For a more detailed explanation of cleaning frequency, read our complete guide to how often you should clean your trash cans.
You can also explore Can Cleaners’ residential trash bin cleaning plans and pricing to find an option that fits your household.
Trash Bin Cleaning in the Des Moines Metro
Cleaning your own trash cans can help maintain them between garbage collection days, but not every homeowner has the time, equipment, or desire to scrub dirty bins regularly.
At Can Cleaners, LLC, we provide residential trash bin cleaning throughout the Des Moines metro area, including Ankeny, West Des Moines, Waukee, Johnston, Urbandale, Grimes, and surrounding Central Iowa communities.
Our residential trash bin cleaning options include:
- Monthly trash bin cleaning — Every 4 weeks
- Quarterly trash bin cleaning — Every 12 weeks
- Spring & Fall trash bin cleaning — Two seasonal visits
- One-time trash bin cleaning — A single cleaning when needed
Our service is designed around your regular garbage collection schedule. We clean your bins the day after trash pickup, when they’re typically empty and ready for service.
Whether you prefer regular professional cleaning or occasionally need help with stubborn buildup, Can Cleaners offers convenient options to help keep your residential garbage bins cleaner.
Ready to skip the scrubbing? Visit thecanisclean.com to explore our cleaning plans, view pricing, and sign up for service.
Final Thoughts: Keeping Your Trash Cans Clean
Cleaning your trash cans doesn’t have to be complicated. With a garden hose, mild cleaning solution, scrub brush, and a little time, homeowners can remove everyday dirt, food residue, and grime that accumulate inside residential garbage bins.
The key is consistency. Emptying your bins completely, scrubbing difficult-to-reach areas, rinsing thoroughly, and allowing them to dry can help prevent unpleasant odors and stubborn buildup.
Simple habits like securing garbage bags, keeping lids closed, and removing loose debris after trash pickup can also help keep your bins cleaner between washes.
However, not everyone wants to spend their free time scrubbing dirty garbage cans. That’s where professional trash bin cleaning can make a difference.
At Can Cleaners, LLC, we help homeowners throughout the Des Moines metro area maintain cleaner residential trash cans with convenient monthly, quarterly, seasonal, and one-time cleaning options.
Ready for cleaner trash cans without the hassle? Visit thecanisclean.com to explore our residential trash bin cleaning services and find the right option for your home.