That's a great question! Those little crevices around the hinges are total grime magnets, collecting everything from sticky spills to dirt and who-knows-what. Don't worry, cleaning them is straightforward. Here’s my go-to method.
First, take the can to a sunny, open area and put on some gloves. Empty it completely. Give the whole thing, especially the hinge area, a strong pre-rinse with your garden hose to loosen surface dirt.
Next, mix a cleaning solution. I usually use a half-cup of baking soda, a squirt of dish soap, and about a gallon of warm water. The baking soda is great for deodorizing. For really tough grime or mildew, you can substitute with a diluted all-purpose cleaner or a 1:1 mixture of white vinegar and water.
Now for the nooks and crannies! The best tool is an old toothbrush or a dedicated stiff-bristled scrub brush. Dip it in your solution and really scrub into the hinge crevices, the seam where the lid attaches, and any grooves. Let the solution sit on there for 5-10 minutes to break down the gunk.
After it soaks, scrub again if needed, then give it another thorough rinse with the hose, forcing water into those same areas to wash everything away. To disinfect, spray the hinge area with a disinfectant spray or a diluted bleach solution (follow product instructions!), let it sit for the recommended time, and do a final rinse.
Finally, the most important step: let it air-dry completely with the lid open before putting in a new bag. This prevents new mildew from forming in those damp, hidden spots. Doing this every few months keeps your bin much more sanitary and odor-free