How can I keep the kitchen garbage can from smelling bad?

Question

It starts to smell if I don't clean it out each day but I feel bad for wasting trash bags when I take it out only 1/4 full. Any tips to neutralize odors? I live in a small apartment and it becomes very apparent. I am not sure what the smell comes from - I just have the usual in the trash like fruit peels, packaging, etc.

Answer 1

If your can has a lid you can put up one of those stick up air fresheners right to the underside of the lid. If not, then press it to the bottom of your can under your bag. I found lemon scented makes everything smell fresh and clean.

Answer 2

what you could use is some spray like febreeze or any other that may smell good to you. every time you throw something out you could spray a little just to make sure. what you may also want to do is use grocery bags as trash bags so you could take out the trash when it smells at its worst without worring about money or feeling bad. when throwing food away [like last weeks spaghetti] throw the trash away immediately so your apartment wont absorb those nasty odors. hope you could resolve your problem.

Answer 3

You answered your own question on how the odors get there. Now ti's up to you to do something about how to prevent the odors from your own garbage.

Ever thought about zip-lock bags?? A larger one for rotting trash can be kept close at hand until the regular garbage bag is full.

Answer 4

First, use smaller bags, like your grocery bags from Wal-Mart. And yes, you do need to take the trash out daily, even if it;s only fruit peels, meat packaging, etc.! They spoil, and that's where the smell comes from. No matter how much or how often you spray the room deodorizer, it comes through.

Since you don't like to waste a large bag, switch to smaller ones -- they do sell them.

Answer 5

I make little bundles of peelings, etc. Like when I peel an onion, I tie up all the peeling into a small grocery bag and toss in the big bag. Each little bag is airtight and does not smell.

Answer 6

Go to the grocery store and ask for a spray they should be carrying to make the trash can smell better! I have one at my house. Also keep windows near the kitchen open :] and as bad as you may feel for wasting trash bags, you should take it out everytime it's close to full; it also depends on what you cooked or what you dumped in there. Good luck!

Answer 7

Lysol makes a great antibacterial spray for garbages and other houshold items that kills like 99% of the oder causing germs. I live in a small apartment and have this same problem, but as long as I clean outt he bottom of the actual trash pail and spray with this spray then it seems to be alright. It's also great for getting sick less often by spraying it on doorknobs and light switches and toilet seat flushers and things with lots of germs on them.

Answer 8

Try sprinkling baking soda in once and a while. Also, find a nice air freshener to spray in and around the trash. Put fruit peels or other stinky stuff someplace else, then later throw it in a dumpster outside.

Answer 9

Baking soda. Yup.

They also make odor neutralizers for the trash can. Check it out at your local grocery market in the cleaning supplies.

Answer 10

I put a 2 sheets of paper towel soaked with scented bleach in my waste basket. The first at the bottom of a new bag and the second when it's half full.
It works for me.