Cleaning those tricky nooks and crannies around the hinge of an outdoor trash can doesn't have to be a dreaded chore. With a few common household items and a simple process, you can tackle the grime and get it looking and smelling fresh.
First, put on a pair of durable rubber gloves for protection. If the bin is particularly full or heavy, empty it completely. Take your garden hose and spray down the entire outside of the can, focusing a strong stream of water on the hinge area to loosen and rinse away surface dirt and debris.
Next, create a powerful cleaning solution. In a bucket, mix hot water with a generous squirt of dish soap or a dedicated all-purpose cleaner. For added disinfecting power and to tackle mildew, add about a cup of white vinegar or a half-cup of bleach to the mixture (ensure you are in a well-ventilated area and never mix bleach with other cleaners, especially ammonia).
Now, take a long-handled scrub brush or an old toothbrush dedicated to cleaning. Dip the brush into your cleaning solution and vigorously scrub the hinge area, paying close attention to the crevices where grime loves to hide. The brush's bristles will help dislodge stuck-on gunk.
Once you've scrubbed all the nooks, thoroughly rinse the entire hinge and trash can with your hose, ensuring all the cleaning solution and loosened dirt is washed away. Finally, let the trash can air dry completely in the sun before putting a new bag inside. This final drying step helps prevent new mildew from forming. For ongoing maintenance, a quick wipe-down of the hinge area each time you take the trash out can prevent buildup from becoming a major problem again.