That's a great question! A clean outdoor trash can is crucial for keeping pests away and preventing nasty smells from taking over your patio or garage. Here's a simple, effective method I've used for years.
First, gather your supplies. You'll need heavy-duty rubber gloves, a long-handled scrub brush, a garden hose, and your chosen disinfectant. For disinfectants, a diluted bleach solution (one part bleach to nine parts water) is very effective. If you prefer a natural option, undiluted white vinegar or a mixture of vinegar and baking soda works well too.
Start by taking the can to a well-ventilated area, like your driveway. Empty it completely. Use your hose to give the inside a thorough pre-rinse, loosening up any grime. Next, apply your disinfectant. For the bleach solution, spray or pour it generously over the entire interior surface, making sure to cover all areas. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes to kill germs and mold—this contact time is key. Then, put on those gloves and scrub every inch with your brush, paying extra attention to the bottom and corners where gunk builds up.
Rinse everything out extremely thoroughly with the hose until all cleaning residue is gone. Finally, let the can air dry completely in the sun before putting a new bag in. The sun acts as a natural disinfectant too! For maintenance, giving it a quick rinse and disinfectant spray every time you take out a full bag of garbage can make the deep cleans much easier.
The best way really depends on consistency. Doing a deep clean like this every season, or more often in hot weather, will keep your bin sanitary and odor-free.