The Most Overlooked Deep-Cleaning Task in Your Kitchen Is the Key to a Good-Smelling Space
公寓疗法的Spring Cleaning Cureis a free 10-day cleaning program that’ll help you achieve a tidier home. Joining us today is guest cure-ator Barbara Costello, better known as @BrunchwithBabs onInstagramandTikTok. Costello is a mother of four, grandmother of nine, and adopted grandmother to her millions of followers on social media.
Even if you’ve cleaned a room of all visibledirt and grime, it can still smell (and feel) dirty if there’s a hidden odor lingering. That’s usually because the source of the problem hasn’t actually been addressed. That’s why, for the penultimate assignment of theSpring Cleaning Cure, we’re going to be tackling a chore that’s often put off due to its smelly situation.
Today, we’re going to de-stink the trash can and give it a deep cleaning that’ll get it odor-free! And who better to give us some expert advice than “TikTok’s favorite grandma,” Barbara “Babs” Costello, who has been staying on top of all her spring cleaning tasks by creating to-do lists through Adobe Express, a free web and mobile design tool.
Day 9: De-stink your kitchen garbage can.
Costello acknowledged how important it is to keep your trash cans clean. “Nobody wants a stinky trash can in their home! Especially in small spaces, those odors can travel,” says Costello. “And if you’re throwing away unfinished food scraps on top of all the other unpleasant things we tend to throw in the garbage, that invites bacteria into the mix. So a clean trash can is really so important.”
Typically, you’ll want to clean your trash can monthly and change out the bags as soon as they’re full, and “no smooshing for more room,” says Costello. She also recommends placing spoiled foods or liquids in a separate bag or container — like an old shopping bag or empty jar — before putting it in a trash bag, if you can.
Here’s how Costello goes about cleaning the trash can: first, empty it out and then, with warm soapy water and a sponge, scrub down the inside of the can. For tougher spots, you can use baking soda or an abrasive cleaner. Rinse thoroughly and dry it. “I often take my cans outside and spray them down with a garden hose, dry them with towels, or let them dry in the sunshine,” says Costello. Lastly, you’ll want to spray the inside of the can with disinfectant spray to keep odors and bacteria away.
专家提示:In between bag changes, Costello offers this hack to keep your trash can odor-free: Take acone-shaped coffee filter, fill it with 1/3 cup ofbaking sodaand a few drops of your favorite essential oil (peppermintcould be great here, in my opinion!), and close with a twist tie. You could also use arubberbandthat you’ll reuse. Place it at the bottom of the can before putting a new bag in.
Is your home smelling better than before? Tell us in the comments below.
More Ways to Participate in the Spring Cleaning Cure
- Sign up foremail updatesorSMS alerts.
- Visit the 2023Spring Cleaning Curepage and catch up on assignments.
- Join theApartment Therapy Cure Facebook group.
- Download theSpring Cleaning Curecalendar.
- Check off that you’ve completed this task and track your overall Spring Cleaning Cure progresshere!
The Cure Program is a tradition here at Apartment Therapy — it happens every January, April, and September. Clickhereto learn more about the year-round program and when to sign up.