Cleaning your outdoor trash bin doesn't have to be a dreaded chore that leaves you with a bigger mess than you started with. With a few simple steps and common household items, you can tackle this task efficiently and keep your outdoor space smelling fresh.
First, choose a warm, sunny day for this task, preferably in your driveway or on a patch of grass where any runoff won't cause issues. Gather your supplies: a garden hose, a long-handled scrub brush, dish soap, white vinegar or baking soda, and optionally, some essential oils for a fresh scent.
Start by thoroughly hosing out the inside of the bin to remove loose debris. Next, add a generous squirt of dish soap and about a cup of white vinegar or half a cup of baking soda into the bottom. Now, carefully add a few gallons of very hot water from a kettle or bucket—the heat helps break down grime.
Using your long-handled brush, scrub every surface inside the bin, paying special attention to the bottom and sides where residue builds up. For stubborn stains or sticky spots, let the soapy mixture sit for 10-15 minutes before scrubbing again.
Once you've scrubbed everything, tip the bin over to drain the dirty water and give it a final, powerful rinse with your hose until the water runs clear. To eliminate odors for good, you can do a final rinse with a mixture of one part vinegar to four parts water.
Leave the bin upside down in the sun to air dry completely. The sun's rays act as a natural disinfectant. For a pleasant fragrance, you can add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, like lemon or tea tree, to a cloth and wipe it around the dry interior. With this routine, your bin will be clean, odor-free, and much less of a nuisance to maintain.