Simple Tips to Clean, Freshen and Maintain your Kitchen Bin …

Simple Tips to Clean, Freshen and Maintain your Kitchen Bin

 

Keeping my kitchen rubbish bin clean is an essential part of my housework routine.  I’m a bit fussy about it because if there’s one thing that makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, it’s a stinky bin … yuk!

 

When I renovated my kitchen, I had a double plastic bin installed in a pullout cupboard.  The front bin we use for general rubbish, the second bin we use for any recycling items like paper, cardboard, cans or bottles and most food scraps get fed into the garbage disposal (and you can read here for tips to keep that clean).  This style of bin has proved to be a winner because it’s saved space, it’s out of the way and it doesn’t contribute to visual clutter.

 

Keeping the bin clean isn’t a particularly difficult thing to do but it’s one of those jobs that can often get overlooked.

 

So to help make the job a little easier, here’s a couple of simple tips:

 

  • Always use a bin liner.  This doesn’t even have to cost you a cent if you use leftover plastic shopping bags. And here’s a little tip for you … double up and use two. Double lining your bin will help prevent rubbish and scraps falling through any holes in the bottom of the bag and it will also be stronger when you remove the bag to take it to the outside bin.

 

  • Place a shopping catalogue or a few sheets of newspaper in the bottom of the bin liner each time you put in a new one.  This will help absorb any leaks, drips or spills so they don’t leak into the bottom of the bin, creating another cleaning job for you.

 

  • A wipe over with a damp cloth with warm, soapy water will usually be enough to keep the bin clean each day.

 

  • Weekly or fortnightly, I like to give the bin a good scrub.  Before washing, shake out any crumbs or other bits that have found there way into the bottom of the bin.  Place the plastic part of the bin in the sink, squeeze in some dishwashing detergent and add some hot water.  A couple of inches of water in the bottom of the bin will be enough, and I like to let it soak for 10 minutes or so as most dirt and grime will be in the bottom of the bin anyway.  Use a sponge to wash the bin all over, rinse well and dry.  A bigger bin can be cleaned in the bathtub or outside under the hose.

 

  • Don’t forget to clean the outside of the bin.  A wipe down with a damp microfiber cloth will most likely do the job but gumption will help for any tougher marks or stains.

 

  • I’m in the habit of emptying the kitchen bin at the end of the night to help reduce smells and odours and I like to start each day with a fresh empty bin. It also helps to sprinkle a little bit of bicarb soda into the bottom of the bin before adding a bin liner. The bicarb soda will help to absorb any excess moisture and smells.

 

So tell me, does your cleaning routine include your kitchen bin or does it get overlooked?