Florida’s heat doesn’t just make us sweat—it can also turn your trash can into a smelly nightmare. Whether it’s a kitchen bin or your big outdoor garbage can, lingering odors and grime build up fast. Let’s break down how to clean and deodorize a stinky trash can the right way—leaving it fresh, sanitary, and odor-free.
1. Start with a Deep Empty and Rinse
Don’t just toss the bag—get rid of the grime too.
Take the can outside if possible.
Rinse it thoroughly with a garden hose or in your shower with hot water.
Remove any stuck-on food or debris with a long-handled scrub brush.
This first step removes the loose buildup and prepares the can for a proper clean.
2. Disinfect and Scrub the Interior
Bacteria thrive in dark, damp places—like your trash can.
Use a disinfecting cleaner (bleach + water solution or vinegar + baking soda mix).
Spray or pour it in, and let it sit for 10–15 minutes.
Scrub every surface—especially corners, creases, and the bottom.
If you’re dealing with an outdoor can, close the lid and let the cleaner soak under the sun for a more powerful effect.
3. Don’t Forget the Lid and Exterior
Lids are often forgotten but harbor the most germs.
Spray down the lid with disinfectant—inside and out.
Use a cloth or brush to clean the handles and hinges.
Wipe down the exterior, especially if the can lives indoors or near food prep areas.
This step ensures every surface is clean, not just the inside.
4. Dry Completely and Deodorize
Odor starts when moisture lingers.
After rinsing, dry the can completely using paper towels or leave it in the sun.
Sprinkle baking soda into the bottom to absorb future odors.
You can also drop a cotton ball with essential oil (like lemon or eucalyptus) into the base.
Clean and dry = no more stink.
5. Keep It Fresh Between Deep Cleans
Here’s how to make sure the stink stays gone:
Use trash bags with odor control liners.
Take out food waste and diapers frequently—especially during Tampa’s hot months.
Rinse your can monthly and deodorize weekly in summer.
Consistency will make deep cleans easier and your home much fresher.
Conclusion
Learning how to clean and deodorize a stinky trash can doesn’t take long—but it makes a huge difference. From bad smells to hidden bacteria, a quick routine keeps your space safe and fresh.
Don’t have time for the dirty work? Let Joy of Cleaning handle the mess. Our team gives your entire home—trash cans included—a complete refresh in St. Pete and Tampa.
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Reschedule Policy
If you are here to reschedule a cleaning that is NOT currently scheduled within the next 72 hours you’re good to go, no fee .Simply let us know your preferences for rebooking. For all reschedule requests, we ask that you allow a 7-day window to lock in a new slot on the schedule (although if we have an earlier opening we’ll let you know)! If you are rescheduling an appointment that’s appraoching within the next 48 hours, you will be charged for 25% of the quoted cost of your service. If you are rescheduling an appointment that’s appraoching within the next 24 hours, you will be charged for 50% of the quoted cost of your service. Same-day requests to reschedule will be charged 100% of the cost of the booked service. We thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation, as a small business last-minute gaps in our schedule are very costly. All invoices to be billed in accordance with our reschedule/cancellation policy will be automatically charged to the card on file. We thank you for choosing Joy of Cleaning!
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel your appointment within 48 hours of your appointment date, you will be responsible for 25% of the quoted cost of your service. If you cancel within 24 hours of your appointment, you will be responsible for 50% of the service. Same-day cancellations will be charged 100% of the cost of the booked service. Cancellation within a day puts us in jeopardy of having a gap in our schedule that could have been filled by someone else, and we often have a waiting list. We thank you greatly in advance for your understanding and cooperation. Cancellation fees will be charged automatically to the card on file. Cancellation timing will be determined in accordance with our business hours (week days 8am – 5pm). A text message after 5pm the day before service for example would be considered same-day cancellation – please plan accordingly. If you still would like to cancel please fill out below:
Skip Service Policy
If you are a routine customer and want to skip for any reason, your next cleaning will reflect the appropriate frequency quoted. For example, if you are bi-weekly but skip cleaning the next time we clean, your monthly rate will apply. This is fair due to the extra dust and dirt build-up in the house. Also being a bi-weekly customer means we have reserved your spot in our schedule to be cleaned by the same team at a consistent time. If customers skip it will affect that team’s entire day’s schedule. Lastly, it is not fair to the monthly customer who pays a higher rate for monthly cleanings, and a bi-weekly customer who is actually only cleaned once that month, but remains at the cheaper rate.
