How to Keep Your Bins Clean
- 1). Keep food out of the bin. Ideally, get a vermiculture home worm bin in which you can dispose of waste food, and turn it into compost. If you must throw foodstuffs into the bin, double bag them first and tie the bags tightly to prevent spillage.
- 2). Don't throw liquid waste into the bin. Yogurt, leftover gravy and porridge can all be disposed of in your toilet rather than down a drain, or in your double food bag. Rinse tins and other discarded containers before throwing them into the bin.
- 3). Protect your bin. Line the inside with a plastic liner and find a way to keep the lid tightly closed. Keep it in the shade, to avoid the heat of the sun creating an oven effect inside the bin.
- 4). Position the bin out of reach of rats, raccoons and other scavengers, by raising it above ground level on blocks. This will make it more difficult for pests to gain access to the opening, and make it easier for you to clean the surrounding area.
- 5). Wash the bin out after each garbage collection with an antibacterial cleaner and water. Use organic cleaning fluids if possible, to minimize the environmental impact. Dispose of the water you use to rinse it responsibly.
- 6). Sprinkle vinegar or a bin deodorant in the bin after cleaning, to help neutralize any remaining odors. Hang an insecticide strip inside the bin to repel cockroaches and other interested creatures.
