Strategies for Maintaining a Odor-Free Bin During Summer: Five Methods to Eliminate Persistent Scents
In the heat of summer, kitchen bins can become a breeding ground for unpleasant odours. To combat this, we've gathered some practical tips from waste and recycling experts Ryan Kaila and sustainable cleaning expert Catherine Green.
Firstly, regular bin emptying is crucial. Emptying your bins every two days is generally sufficient, but in larger households, daily emptying may be necessary. This practice not only prevents foul odours but also prevents the bin bag from splitting and the bin from overflowing, which can lead to a bigger clean-up job and attract pests.
To keep odours at bay, Ryan Kaila recommends sprinkling a layer of baking soda at the bottom of your bin. Baking soda absorbs moisture and odours, helping to keep the bin smelling fresh. Additionally, lining the base of the bin with newspaper or brown paper helps soak up leaks and spills that cause odours.
Citrus peels or a cotton pad with a few drops of essential oil in the bottom of the bin can also help combat unwanted smells. Essential oils like lemon, eucalyptus, or tea tree provide a natural freshness and can repel insects.
When it comes to cleaning your bin, start by emptying it, rinse with warm water, scrub the interior using a mix of hot water and a few drops of washing up liquid, rinse again, and allow it to dry completely, ideally outside in the sun. It's important to clean any moisture that may have gathered at the bottom of your bin before spraying with a disinfectant cleaning solution.
For a homemade bin deodoriser, Catherine Green suggests mixing a few tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda with dried lemon or orange peel and a few drops of essential oil. This mixture can be placed into a fabric pouch or jar and shaken into the bin every time you change the bag.
Lastly, avoid moisture in the bin as it will help grow more bacteria and worsen smells from spills and food waste. To reduce moisture, you can place your bin in a shaded and cool location.
By following these simple steps, you can effectively control unpleasant kitchen bin odours, making your summer cooking experience more enjoyable.
[1] Kingfisher Direct, personal communication, 2022. [2] Smol, personal communication, 2022. [3] Kaila, R., category manager for waste and recycling at Kingfisher Direct, personal communication, 2022. [4] Green, C., sustainable cleaning expert at Smol, personal communication, 2022.
- Incorporating baking soda into the bottom of the kitchen bin can absorb moisture and odors, thereby maintaining a fresh smell.
- To further combat unwanted smells, using citrus peels or a cotton pad with essential oil in the base of the bin can provide natural freshness and insect repellent properties.
- A mixture of bicarbonate of soda, dried lemon or orange peel, and a few drops of essential oil packed into a fabric pouch or jar can serve as an effective homemade bin deodorizer.
- Positioning the kitchen bin in a shaded and cool location can help reduce moisture, making it less conducive to bacteria growth and thereby preventing the worsening of smells from spills and food waste.
