Cleaning your outdoor trash bin might not be fun, but it's essential for hygiene and keeping pests away. Here's a simple, effective method.
First, gather your supplies. You'll need heavy-duty rubber gloves, a long-handled scrub brush, a garden hose, a biodegradable degreasing dish soap or a dedicated outdoor cleaner, white vinegar or a bleach solution (1/2 cup bleach per gallon of water), and baking soda.
Pick a sunny day and move the bin to a well-ventilated area like your driveway. Remove any liner bags and loose debris. Pre-rinse the entire bin, inside and out, with your hose to remove surface grime.
Next, apply your cleaner. Mix hot water with your dish soap or outdoor cleaner in a bucket. Using your scrub brush, apply the soapy mixture generously, scrubbing every surface—top, bottom, sides, and lid—paying extra attention to stuck-on gunk and the rim.
After scrubbing, rinse thoroughly with the hose until all soap is gone. Now, it's time to disinfect. Spray or wipe down all surfaces with your disinfectant (vinegar or diluted bleach solution). Let it sit for about 10 minutes to kill germs and bacteria, then give it one final, complete rinse.
To tackle odors, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on the bottom of the clean, dry bin. This will help absorb moisture and neutralize smells. Finally, let the bin air dry completely in the sun before putting a new bag inside. For maintenance, a quick rinse and monthly deep clean will keep it fresh.