URBAN TRASH CANS

That awful smell from your outdoor trash bin is a common problem, but it's fixable with a good cleaning. Here's a natural and effective method. First, take the bin to a well-ventilated area, like your driveway. Put on gloves. Empty any debris and give it a preliminary rinse with a garden hose. For the deep clean, make a simple cleaning paste: mix one cup of baking soda with just enough water or white vinegar to form a spreadable paste. Scrub the entire interior of the bin with this paste using a long-handled brush, paying extra attention to the bottom and sides where grime builds up. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes. Then, rinse it thoroughly with the hose. For disinfecting and deodorizing, you can spray the interior with a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water, or use a mild bleach solution (1/2 cup bleach per gallon of water). Let the disinfectant sit for 10 minutes before a final, thorough rinse. Tip the bin upside down to let it air dry completely in the sun before putting a new bag in. To prevent future smells, sprinkle a handful of baking soda in the bottom of the clean bin before each new bag, and try to rinse it out periodically.