Smelling Your Garbage Cans? The Underrated Trick To Give Them A Deep Clean

TL;DR

Before you orderOffer from Amazon

Get furniture and decor delivered free with Prime

• Fast, free delivery on millions of items
• Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
• Member-only deals all year

Start your free Prime trial →Free trial for eligible customers · Cancel anytime

As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.Hide

Hunker’s household-cleaning report recommends steam cleaning as a way to loosen grime and address odors in indoor or outdoor garbage cans. It says a basic hand steamer can be used, but gives no measured results or guarantee that steam will remove every odor or sanitize every bin.

Hunker recommends steam cleaning as a way to loosen residue and address unpleasant smells in indoor and outdoor garbage cans, offering a household-cleaning tip for bins that have accumulated grime. The report says a basic hand steamer can be used, but it does not present test results showing how much odor or bacteria the method removes.

The suggested method starts with removing the trash bag and clearing out any scraps that have fallen into the bin. Users should read the steamer’s instructions before operating a new appliance. For outdoor cans where insects are present, Hunker advises dealing with them first; it cautions that a small hand steamer may not be a practical way to remove a large number of bugs.

To clean, the report says to move the steamer up and down across each interior side, giving the whole surface exposure to steam. The outside can also be treated. For stuck-on grime or residue, it recommends applying steam for longer and then wiping the loosened material away with a sponge, paper towel or scraper.

Hunker says the bin can be wiped inside even when there is no obvious residue but a strong smell remains, in case the odor source is not visible. It says moisture left by the steam can evaporate on its own. The report also suggests hiring a local cleaning service if a person does not want to do the work themselves.

A Low-Chemical Cleaning Option

Garbage cans can hold food residue and other material that produces unpleasant smells, so cleaning the bin itself may help when changing the bag is not enough. Steam offers a way to loosen deposits using heated water rather than relying on strong chemical cleaners. That may appeal to households seeking to limit chemical use, though the report does not compare steam with other cleaning methods or establish that it is more effective.

The tip is also practical because it does not call for a specialized commercial machine: Hunker says a hand steamer is sufficient. Still, steam cleaning is one maintenance option, not a guarantee of odor removal. If a smell remains, the source may not have been reached, or the bin may need another cleaning approach.

How the Suggested Method Works

Hunker’s explanation rests on three possible contributors to bin odors: stuck-on grime, residue and bacteria. The report says hot steam can loosen grime and dissolve residue, while its heat can kill a variety of bacteria. It links those effects to the possibility of reducing odor, but does not provide laboratory evidence, temperature requirements or a measured sanitation standard.

The article frames bin cleaning as occasional household upkeep, including before guests arrive or after animals have disturbed an outdoor bin. It also notes that people may add garbage cans to a regular cleaning routine. These are suggested occasions, not a required schedule; the source does not specify how often a bin should be steam cleaned.

“A simple hand steamer will work just fine.”

— Hunker

Limits of the Cleaning Advice

The source does not report controlled tests or quantify how well steam cleaning removes odors, grime or bacteria. It also does not specify a minimum steam temperature, how long to treat a surface, or whether every bin material can safely withstand steam. Readers should check their steamer’s instructions and any care guidance for the bin rather than assume the method is suitable for all products.

It is also unclear how effective the approach will be when an odor has a persistent or hidden source. The report offers wiping as an additional step but does not claim steam will solve every odor problem. For outdoor bins with insects, it specifically warns that a small steamer may be inconvenient, and it does not provide a single recommended alternative in this report.

Steps Before Using a Steamer

Before cleaning, remove the liner and loose debris, check the bin for insects and consult the steamer’s manual. Apply steam methodically across the interior, then the exterior if needed; wipe away loosened residue and inspect the bin for any remaining source of odor. If the appliance or bin instructions do not support the method, or the task is not manageable, the report suggests looking for a local service that offers garbage-can steam cleaning.

Hunker does not announce a follow-up test, product recommendation or update. The immediate next step for readers is to decide whether the method suits their bin and equipment, while recognizing that the article provides household advice rather than verified performance data.

Key Questions

Can I use a hand steamer to clean a garbage can?

Hunker says a basic hand steamer can be used. Check the appliance instructions and any care guidance for the bin before applying steam.

Do I need to dry the bin after steam cleaning?

The report says steam moisture can evaporate on its own. It recommends wiping away loosened grime or residue; it does not give a drying time.

Will steam remove every garbage-can odor?

That is not established. Hunker says steam may loosen residue and address odor, but provides no measured results or guarantee. A hidden or persistent source may remain.

What should I do if the outdoor bin has insects?

Hunker advises addressing insects before cleaning and cautions that a small hand steamer may be impractical when there are many. It does not specify one required alternative.

Source: rss