Food waste that goes into the trash can will start to emit foul odors within days. The decomposition process is responsible for unpleasant smells. A homeowner can take steps to get rid of the odors that come from the trash can with the following handy tips.

Why do garbage cans stink?

Kitchen trash mostly consists of food waste. The refuse that gets tossed into the garbage can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks to decompose. A banana peel, for example, requires only one month to fully decompose, whereas a tin can takes 50 years.

Once food items start to spoil or rot inside the trash can, the decomposition process begins. The complex biological and chemical processes of decomposition include the breakdown of organic compounds into simple molecules—both organic and inorganic—by micro- and macro-organisms.

As the decomposition process occurs, gases and chemicals are released. These gases and chemicals are responsible for the noxious smells that come from the garbage can. The greater amount of decomposing matter in the trash can, the more offensive the odors will be.

The chemicals released during the decomposition process are mostly sulfur- or nitrogen-based, although many different types of chemical compounds can be present. Additional compounds, such as acids and terpenes, are likely to form when the level of oxygen is minimal.

Sulfur-based compounds, like hydrogen sulfide or methanethiol, are usually the first to produce the strongest odors. On the other hand, nitrogen-based compounds take time to cause a stink in the trash can, except in cases when raw meat or meat packaging are tossed out.

The chemicals responsible for stinking up the trash are varied. Hydrogen sulfide, for instance, causes a smell that resembles rotten eggs; methanethiol releases the smell of rotten cabbage; putrescine stinks like rotten meat; ammonia is pungent; and, trimethylamine has the odor of fish.

Organic materials, as opposed to synthetic materials, undergo a chemical process that causes the trash can to stink. Plastic, aluminum, and packaging materials do not cause odors even when thrown out—the exception is when these synthetic products are coated with organic materials.

How to remove trash can smell?

Strolling into a room with a stinky trash can is an unpleasant experience. Removing the odors can be accomplished with a few household staples, including products, like baking soda or bleach. Cleaning the garbage can is also key to keeping pests, like mice, flies, and rats, away.

1. Sprinkle baking soda

Baking soda whisks away odors, even from the smelliest of garbage cans. Sprinkle one-quarter cup of baking soda into the bottom of the trash can (or even inside the trash bag) in the morning. By evening, the baking soda will have absorbed the odors.

Tough odors, like those that have seeped into the garbage can itself, can be eliminated by scrubbing the trash can with baking soda. Alternatively, toss a cup of baking soda into the bottom of a washed and dried trash can to keep odors at bay until next week’s trash day.

2. Clean with bleach

Disinfectants, like household bleach, kill the germs and bacteria that contribute to the odors arising from the trash can. One-quarter cup of bleach diluted with two gallons of warm water is sufficient to clean and deodorize the trash can. Be careful to work in a well-ventilated area when using bleach.

Cleaning the trash can weekly is recommended to remove leftover bits of organic material or bacteria that may have come from the trash. Delaying the cleaning will encourage a buildup of bacteria in the trash bin and cause the stench to progressively worsen.

To decide whether you need professional cleanup services, read When Does My House Need Professional Disinfection? for more information

3. Add cat litter

Like baking soda, cat litter absorbs odors. An additional benefit of cat litter is that it absorbs liquids, like spills. Toss cat litter into the bottom of the trash can. After a week, the cat litter should be damp with moisture. Remove the cat litter and replace with fresh litter.

4. Line with dryer sheets

Dryer sheets successfully eliminate stinky odors from the trash can. A gently used dryer sheet is as effective in removing odors as a new one. Drop a sheet into the bottom of the trash can, and odors will disappear. Extremely smelly garbage cans will benefit from an unused dryer sheet.

5. Empty the trash often

Take out the trash regularly to prevent odors from disturbing the home’s occupants. Or, consider storing garbage in a closed bin outside and away from the home. Remove organic materials first by separating them into a different bag and take it out of the home right away.

6. Hire a professional cleaning service

When cleaning the trash can regularly is impractical, consider hiring a garbage bin cleaning service to handle the task. Or, when the smell from the trash is unbearable, consult specialists who are trained to safely remove biohazard waste, disinfect the area and perform a full deodorization.

Licensed professionals remove biohazard waste of all types, whether it is from a sewage backup or a crime scene. Specialists also clean and disinfect homes in which hoarding has occurred. Deodorization is a key part of these services.

The bio recovery restoration process starts with removing the biohazard materials from the property. Professionals then clean all affected surfaces with a powerful bio wash solution. A disinfection is followed by a thorough deodorization of the area. Both the property and air quality are restored.

Certified technicians comply with all state and federal regulations when it comes to cleaning biohazard waste. The bio recovery process includes disposing of biohazard materials at licensed medical waste facilities. Homeowners also receive help when filing insurance claims.

About Vince Sandri

Vince Sandri is a content writer and blogger with more than 12 years of experience. His expertise is in creating content related to disaster restoration, including information about preventing and reacting to natural disasters like flooding, water damage, fire and smoke damage, mold growth, storm damage and more.
Vince has been the main contributor to RestorationMasterFinder.com since 2014. Over that time, he has written numerous service pages and blogs for disaster restoration providers featured on RestorationMasterFinder.com. Vince has done extensive research and covered a wide range of topics relating to disaster restoration to help homeowners, business owners, and property managers better protect their property. He understands the problems that disasters like flooding, fire, smoke, and mold can cause as well as the best ways to respond to these issues to limit the damage.
Vince completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Aurora University and his master’s degree at DePaul University. He has been writing SEO website pages, blogs, and press releases since 2012. Vince is also a musician and can be seen playing in the Chicago, IL area.