That's a great question! Hosing out your outdoor trash can is a fantastic start and a quick weekly habit I definitely recommend. It helps rinse away loose debris and liquids. For a basic clean, just tip out any solids, give it a good spray with your garden hose, and let it dry in the sun, which has natural disinfecting properties.
But for a *proper* clean, especially to tackle grime, sticky residues, and odors, you'll need to do a bit more. Simply hosing might not remove all the bacteria or lingering smells. Here’s my easy method:
1. Gear Up: Put on gloves. Empty the bin completely.
2. Pre-rinse: Hose out the inside to remove surface dirt.
3. Scrub Down: Mix a cleaning solution—hot water with dish soap, vinegar, or a specialized cleaner works well. Use a long-handled brush with stiff bristles to scrub every surface, especially the bottom and sides.
4. Disinfect: Spray the interior with a disinfectant or a bleach solution (1 part bleach to 9 parts water). Let it sit for a few minutes to kill germs.
5. Final Rinse: Thoroughly rinse everything out with your hose until all cleaning solution is gone.
6. Dry: Let it air dry completely upside down before putting a new bag in.
So, can you *just* hose it out? For light maintenance, yes. But for a truly clean and sanitary can that doesn't attract pests or smell, taking those extra few minutes to scrub and disinfect every month or so is totally worth it. For tough jobs, a pressure washer on a low setting can be a powerful ally!