That's a great question! A smelly outdoor bin is a common headache, but with the right routine, you can definitely fix it and keep it fresh. Here’s a natural and effective method I use.
First, pick a sunny day and move your bin to a well-ventilated area, like your driveway. Put on some old clothes and sturdy rubber gloves—this is a messy job! Empty the bin completely, scraping out any stuck-on debris.
Next, give it a good pre-rinse with a garden hose to loosen things up. Now, for the powerful, natural cleaner: sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda all over the inside bottom. Then, pour in about one to two cups of white vinegar. It will fizz up, helping to break down grime and neutralize odors. Let this mixture sit for 10-15 minutes.
While it's soaking, use a long-handled scrub brush with stiff bristles and some dish soap to scrub the entire interior, focusing on the sides and bottom. The baking soda paste acts as a gentle abrasive. Rinse everything thoroughly until the water runs clear.
This is the crucial step for odor prevention: disinfect. You can use a commercial disinfectant spray or make a simple bleach solution (one part bleach to nine parts water) or hydrogen peroxide spray. Mist the entire interior surface and let it sit for another 10 minutes before giving it one final rinse.
Finally, and this is key, let the bin dry completely in the sun before putting a new bag in. The sun is a fantastic natural deodorizer and disinfectant.
To prevent future smells, sprinkle a handful of baking soda in the bottom of the dry bin before each new bag. Also, rinse food residue from containers before tossing them. Doing a quick clean with vinegar every few weeks makes the big seasonal deep clean much easier. Stick with this, and your bin will stay much fresher!