Oh, dealing with a truly nasty public bin is no fun, but it's totally doable with the right approach. First, safety is key. Put on heavy-duty rubber gloves, protective eyewear, and old clothes. If the smell is overwhelming, a mask is a good idea.
Start by emptying the bin completely. Use a tool like a putty knife or a thick piece of cardboard to scrape out any stuck-on debris into a heavy-duty trash bag. Tie it up tightly.
Now for the deep clean. Mix a hot water solution with a strong cleaner—a degreaser dish soap or a dedicated all-purpose cleaner works well. For serious grime and germs, a bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water) is very effective, but ensure the area is well-ventilated. Using a long-handled scrub brush, thoroughly scrub the entire interior, focusing on the bottom and sides. Don't forget the lid, the exterior, and the area around the opening.
Rinse thoroughly with a hose or buckets of clean water. Let it drain completely.
To deodorize and kill lingering odors, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the entire bottom of the dry bin. Baking soda is a fantastic natural odor absorber. For a fresh scent, you can add a few drops of essential oil like lemon or tea tree to the baking soda first. Let it sit for a few hours or overnight if possible, then you can vacuum it out or simply leave a thin layer at the bottom.
For ongoing maintenance, consider placing a deodorizer disk or a few charcoal briquettes in a mesh bag at the bottom of the liner to help control future smells. Regular cleaning will prevent it from getting this bad again!