How to Clean Kitchen Trash Can
What You'll Need
- Squirt
- 1/2 cup
- 1/2 cup
- Fill the can
- 1
- Few drops
Step-by-Step Method
Remove the bag and any loose debris from the bottom of the can. Take the can outside or to the bathtub. Rinse with hot water.
Squirt dish soap inside and scrub the entire interior with a brush. Pay attention to the bottom corners where liquid leaks collect.
Sprinkle 1/2 cup baking soda inside. Add 1/2 cup white vinegar. Let it fizz for 5 minutes. Scrub again.
Rinse thoroughly. Dry completely (moisture causes odor). Place a few tablespoons of baking soda in the bottom of the can under the next bag to absorb future odors.
- Do not let the can stay wet inside (moisture breeds bacteria and odor)
- Do not ignore leaks from bags (clean up liquid immediately)
- Double-bag when disposing of liquids or wet waste.
- Baking soda sprinkled in the bottom of the can under the bag absorbs odors between cleanings.
- Freeze smelly food waste (fish bones, meat trimmings) until trash day to prevent odor.
Frequently Asked Questions
The odor may be embedded in the plastic itself. Soak the interior with a strong baking soda paste (1/2 cup baking soda to 1/4 cup water) for several hours. If the odor persists after multiple deep cleans, the plastic has absorbed too many odor molecules to fully recover. Replace the can.
Sources & Methodology
Baking soda adsorbs odor molecules through a surface chemistry process. Vinegar provides antimicrobial action against odor-causing bacteria.
Last reviewed: March 20, 2026