How to Clean a Kitchen Trash Can
The kitchen trash can is one of the most used — and dirtiest — accessories in your home. Fortunately, there are many options for keeping your bin neat and clean.
We recommend choosing a kitchen trash can that is thoughtfully designed. For example, this rectangular Simplehuman trash can features a durable steel foot pedal and a lock-the-lid feature that keeps children and pets out of the bin.
Easy to Clean
It may not be a pleasant task, but cleaning a kitchen trash can is an important part of maintaining a healthy home. A dirty garbage can can harbor bacteria, and odors from old food or bodily waste can make the whole house smell. In addition, a soiled can is a magnet for pantry moths and other household pests. Fortunately, the proper way to clean a trash can helps eliminate these unwanted visitors and keeps your kitchen smelling fresh.
Before starting the cleaning process, ensure that your trash can is empty and completely wiped down. Roll up your sleeves, and using a sponge or long-handled bristle brush (depending on the size of your can), scrub the interior with a multi-purpose cleaner. This will remove any sticky residue or stains, and it also cuts down on the number of bacteria that can cause unpleasant odors.
After scrubbing, rinse the inside of the can with a garden hose. If you’re worried about water spots and streaks, use a soft cloth or microfiber sponge dipped in a bit of mineral oil to buff away any remaining soapy residue.
A stainless steel can is a great choice for many kitchens because it is durable and easy to keep clean. It is resistant to rust, corrosion, and scratching, and it also resists dents and dings.
If you opt for a stainless steel trash can, it’s a good idea to wipe down the lid and inner bucket daily with disinfectant wipes. You should also sanitize your trash can and the outside of its lid every time you change the bag, or at least once a month.
With all the cooking, gift wrapping (and unwrapping), and post-party cleanup that occurs this time of year, your kitchen trash can will likely take a beating. With the right kitchen trash can, however, you’ll be able to easily keep your garbage can looking and smelling like new throughout the holidays. The best kitchen trash cans are attractive, well-designed, and a snap to keep clean. Whether you’re looking for an elegant stainless steel can or a more classic plastic option, there’s sure to be a model that’s just right for your home.
Easy to Move
A kitchen trash can bears the brunt of many of the messes created in the home. From food scraps to coffee grounds, trash bins in the kitchen typically collect some of the grossest garbage in the kitchen trash can house and can hold the most unpleasant odors. The best kitchen trash cans are easy to move and handle so you can empty them often to keep odors under control.
Whether you’re looking for a large kitchen trash can or a small one, Macy’s offers a variety of options that fit your needs. Smaller trash cans are often more portable as they’re designed to be placed on a countertop or in a cabinet so they’re out of sight and out of mind, though they may not have the capacity that larger families require. Larger ones, on the other hand, are more sturdy and sturdier. Some of them are even designed to be wheeled, which makes it much easier to take out the trash on trash day.
There are also smaller models that combine recycling and trash into a single bin, which can help you cut down on the amount of waste you create at home. These are great for people who have limited space to work with in their kitchen and want a clean, functional look. The best one we found was this model from simplehuman, which features two durable inner buckets for trash and recycling, a lid that traps odors and a sliding pull-out mechanism to make emptying the bins a breeze.
There are also kitchen trash cans that mount to the wall, which is great if you want your bin to stay in place so it’s easily accessible but out of sight. These tend to have a more minimal design and are often crafted of stainless steel to match your other kitchen appliances. Some even feature a sensor and a foot pedal, which are useful for reducing the chances of accidental spills or overfilling. They’re also easy to clean and can fit a variety of kitchen trash bag sizes. Some of them even come with custom liners that are made from an extra-thick material to prevent rips and tears.
Easy to Maintain
With all the cooking, gift wrapping (and unwrapping), and post-party cleanup that happens around holidays, your trash can can get a lot of use. That means it’s important to keep it clean and odor-free.
The best way to do that is with trash bags that fit the can and a regular cleaning schedule. Make sure to wipe down the inside and outside of the can with a multi-purpose cleaning spray before using it, and rinse it out thoroughly with a garden hose. A quick scrub with a toilet brush and disinfectant is also a good idea. You can even make your own homemade cleaner with cream of tartar and lemon juice to remove small rust stains on stainless steel.
If you’re going with a metal trash can, look for one that has a brushed finish and a pedal to make it hands-free and prevent fingerprints. You can also keep it clean by rinsing it out in the sink with warm soapy water, and drying it with a towel or cloth. You can also use a kitchen spray or a mixture of hot water, bleach, and powdered Tide to sanitize the interior and fight smells.
A kitchen trash can should be located in a spot that’s both convenient and out of the way, so it’s not hard to reach when you’re working in the kitchen. You may want to tuck it in a lower cabinet or beneath an island overhang for a seamless, integrated look. If you’re looking for a sleeker option, consider the Songmics dual-compartment trash can, which has two separate bins for recycling and garbage with a carbon odor filter to eliminate smells.
No matter which type of kitchen trash can you choose, it’s important to empty it regularly and wipe down the interior and exterior once a month or more, depending on how much you cook. You should also give it a thorough cleaning every time you change the trash bag, as that’s when grime and odors can really build up. It’s also a good idea to wipe it down immediately after something spills or sticks onto the can.
Easy to Store
A trash can isn’t just for putting your food scraps in, it can be an easy and convenient way to store other items, too. Some kitchen trash can kitchen trash bins feature shelves to hold other items such as canned goods or cleaning supplies. They can also have a lid that keeps them out of sight when not in use.
Many of these bins are available in two materials, plastic and stainless steel. Stainless steel is more durable and blends in with most kitchen appliances, but it can be dented or scratched by rough surfaces. It can also show fingerprints and spills more easily than plastic. Plastic is inexpensive and is more flexible than metal, so it’s less likely to get dented or scratched. It’s also lighter than stainless steel and easier to empty.
The size of your kitchen trash can depends on where you plan to keep it and how much waste your family generates on a daily basis. For a free-standing trash can, look for one that’s about 20-30 inches high and 10 to 15 inches wide. This is the ideal size to fit in a corner of a kitchen or nook. If you prefer to hide it inside a cabinet, look for a smaller model that’s under 30 inches tall and about 15 wide.
Depending on your space, you may want a kitchen trash can with wheels or casters so you can move it from place to place as needed. This can be particularly useful if you cook often or have to take out multiple trash cans throughout the day or week. This is also a great idea if you have kids or pets that might be tempted to rummage through your trash.
There are several places to put a kitchen trash can, such as under the sink or in the pantry. If you have a small kitchen, however, consider an over-the-counter kitchen trash can that fits on top of your countertop or in a corner. This can help reclaim floor space and is out of the way so that you don’t have to bend down to reach it when you throw away your trash. This option is also available in a range of attractive styles, including wood-look and black finishes.