DIY Methods

DIY Cleaning Methods for Trash cans

Discover easy DIY cleaning methods for trash cans. Keep your bins fresh, odor-free, and sanitized with simple tips and natural solutions.

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Lemon Juice and Hot Water

Reviewed by Zac Kieffer

President at E-Cloth

Updated July, 20

Baking Soda and Vinegar

Sprinkle baking soda inside the trash can, then pour white vinegar over it. Let the mixture fizz and sit for a few minutes. Scrub with a brush, rinse thoroughly with water, and let dry. This combination deodorizes and removes grime naturally.

Baking Soda and Vinegar Cleaning for Trash Cans

Gather your supplies: You’ll need baking soda, white vinegar, a scrub brush (or an old dish brush), a bucket, and some hot water. If you have rubber gloves, now’s the time to channel your inner cleaning superhero and put them on.

Empty the trash can completely. Take out any bags, loose debris, or sticky bits. If you’re working with an outdoor bin, give it a good shake upside down to get rid of anything clinging to the bottom.

Sprinkle a generous layer of baking soda all over the inside of the trash can. Pay extra attention to the bottom and any spots where gunk tends to build up. Baking soda is a mild abrasive, so it helps loosen stuck-on grime and helps with odors.

Pour white vinegar over the baking soda. You’ll see some fizzing—this is normal and actually helps lift grime. Let the mixture bubble for a few minutes. The fizzing action is just a reaction between the acid in the vinegar and the baking soda, which is a base. It’s not magic, but it does help loosen up messes.

Scrub the inside of the can thoroughly. Use your brush to work the baking soda and vinegar into all the nooks and crannies. Don’t forget the lid and the rim, where sticky residue loves to hide.

Let the mixture sit for 10-15 minutes. This gives the baking soda and vinegar time to do their thing. If your trash can is especially smelly, you can let it sit a bit longer.

Rinse with hot water. Either use a hose (if you’re outside) or fill a bucket with hot water and pour it in. Swish the water around to help remove any leftover residue. Repeat if needed until the can looks and smells fresh.

Dry thoroughly before replacing the liner. Leave the trash can upside down to air dry, or wipe it down with a clean towel. Moisture left behind can lead to more odors or messes down the line.

Limited Deep Cleaning

Baking soda and vinegar may not fully remove tough grime, odors, or bacteria from trash cans, providing only surface-level cleaning and missing deep, thorough sanitation needed for persistent stains or buildup.

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Bleach and Water Solution

Mix one part bleach with nine parts water in a bucket. Pour or spray the solution inside the trash can, scrub with a brush, and let it sit for 5–10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with water and allow to air dry. This disinfects and removes odors effectively.

How to Clean Trash Cans with a Bleach and Water Solution

Gather your supplies: You’ll need household bleach, water, gloves, a scrub brush, and a bucket or spray bottle. Make sure you’re working in a well-ventilated area—outdoors is best, but a garage with the door open works too.

Mix your solution: For general cleaning, combine 1/2 cup of bleach with 1 gallon of water. This ratio is strong enough for most household trash cans. Always add bleach to water, not the other way around, to avoid splashing concentrated bleach.

Empty and rinse the can: Take out any trash and give the can a quick rinse with a hose or in the bathtub. This helps remove loose debris and makes the cleaning solution more effective.

Apply the bleach solution: Pour or spray the mixture inside the trash can, making sure to coat all surfaces—especially the bottom and corners where grime likes to hide. Let it sit for about 5 minutes. This dwell time helps loosen stuck-on gunk.

Scrub thoroughly: Use a stiff-bristled brush to scrub the inside and outside of the can. Pay extra attention to the rim and lid, where residue tends to build up. Don’t forget the handles!

Rinse well: Rinse the can thoroughly with clean water to remove any bleach residue. Leftover bleach can cause odors or damage some surfaces over time.

Dry completely: Let the trash can air dry in the sun if possible. Sunlight helps with drying and can reduce lingering odors. If you’re in a hurry, wipe it down with a clean towel.

Ventilation and safety tips: Always wear gloves when working with bleach, and avoid mixing bleach with other cleaners (especially anything containing ammonia). Keep pets and kids away until the can is dry and back in place.

Residual Odor Issues

Even after using a bleach and water solution, stubborn odors may persist in trash cans because the mixture might not fully eliminate deeply embedded smells or organic residues, leaving behind a lingering unpleasant scent.

Streak-Free Wherever You Need It

E-Cloth is committed to delivering a clean you can see—effortlessly erasing messes with just water for a spotless shine, free of streaks and added chemicals.

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Lemon Juice and Hot Water

Squeeze the juice of one lemon into a bucket and add hot water. Pour the mixture into the trash can, let it sit for 10–15 minutes, then scrub and rinse. The lemon juice helps neutralize odors and break down grime naturally.

How to Clean Trash Cans with Lemon Juice and Hot Water

Empty the trash can completely. Take out any bags, loose debris, or stuck-on gunk. If you see anything clinging to the bottom, use a paper towel or old rag to scoop it out first.

Rinse with hot water. Fill the can with a few inches of hot tap water. Swish it around to loosen up grime and help soften anything stuck to the sides or bottom. If your can is too big for the sink, use a bucket or your shower to get the job done.

Add lemon juice. Squeeze the juice of 1–2 lemons directly into the hot water. If you’re feeling fancy, toss in the lemon rinds too. The acidity in lemon juice helps break down residue and can help with lingering odors.

Let it soak. Give the mixture about 10–15 minutes to do its thing. This gives the lemon juice time to work on any stubborn spots and helps loosen up anything that’s clinging on for dear life.

Scrub the inside. Use a long-handled brush, old sponge, or even a dedicated toilet brush (just for cleaning, obviously) to scrub the inside of the can. Pay extra attention to the bottom and any seams where grime likes to hide.

Rinse thoroughly. Dump out the lemony water and rinse the can with more hot water. Make sure you get rid of any leftover pulp or bits of lemon rind.

Dry completely. Leave the trash can upside down to air dry, or wipe it down with a clean towel. A dry can is less likely to develop musty smells or attract more grime.

Pro tip: If you want to keep things fresher between deep cleans, toss a few lemon peels in the bottom of your trash can before adding a new bag. Just remember to swap them out regularly so they don’t become their own science experiment.

Bacterial Growth Risk

Using only lemon juice and hot water may not fully eliminate bacteria in trash cans, allowing harmful microbes to survive and multiply, increasing the risk of bacterial growth and unpleasant odors.

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Hydrogen Peroxide and Water Spray

Mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution inside and outside the trash can, let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub and rinse thoroughly. This method disinfects and deodorizes, leaving your trash can clean and fresh.

Hydrogen Peroxide and Water Spray for Trash Cans

Why Use Hydrogen Peroxide and Water?

Hydrogen peroxide is a common household liquid that’s often used for cleaning because it helps break down grime and neutralize odors. When diluted with water, it’s less harsh on surfaces and still gets the job done.

Mixing hydrogen peroxide with water (usually a 1:1 ratio) creates a spray that can help freshen up your trash can without leaving behind strong chemical smells.

How to Make and Use the Spray

Pour equal parts 3% hydrogen peroxide and water into a clean spray bottle. (3% is the standard strength you’ll find at most stores—don’t use anything stronger.)

Remove any trash and give the can a quick rinse with plain water to get rid of loose debris.

Spray the inside and outside of the trash can thoroughly with your hydrogen peroxide and water mix. Pay extra attention to the bottom and the lid, where gunk likes to hide.

Let the spray sit for a few minutes. This gives it time to work on odors and stuck-on messes.

Wipe down the surfaces with a clean cloth or paper towel. For stubborn spots, a gentle scrub with a soft brush can help.

Leave the lid off and let the can air dry completely before putting in a new liner. This helps prevent lingering smells and moisture buildup.

Tips for Best Results

Always use a clean spray bottle that hasn’t held other chemicals. Mixing residues can cause unwanted reactions.

Store your hydrogen peroxide and water mix in a dark bottle or keep it out of direct sunlight. Light breaks down hydrogen peroxide, making it less effective over time.

Test a small, hidden area of your trash can first if you’re worried about discoloration, especially with metal or colored plastic cans.

Don’t mix hydrogen peroxide with vinegar or other cleaners in the same bottle. This can create unwanted fumes or reduce cleaning power.

Surface-Level Effectiveness Only

This method may only clean visible dirt and kill some surface germs, but it doesn’t penetrate deep grime or eliminate strong odors, leaving bacteria and smells behind in trash cans.

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