Why cans smell worse here
Every bag that goes into a garbage can leaves a little behind: a drip from a leaking bag, a few food scraps, liquid that pools in the bottom. In a cool, dry climate that residue dries out and mostly just sits there. In Baton Rouge, where summer days are hot and humid and a dark plastic cart can sit in full afternoon sun, the inside of the can gets very warm and stays damp. That’s ideal for bacteria breaking down food, and that’s where the smell comes from.
It also explains the flies. Strong odor draws them, and if residue sits long enough, maggots follow. A garden hose rinse moves some of the mess around but rarely gets the film off the walls and out of the bottom corners.
Habits that keep a can fresh
- Bag everything, and tie it tight. Loose scraps and leaking bags are the main source of residue.
- Double-bag the wet stuff. Seafood shells, crawfish boil leftovers, meat scraps and anything drippy should be double-bagged and, if possible, put out close to pickup day.
- Keep the can in the shade. A can out of the afternoon sun stays cooler inside and smells less.
- Air it out after pickup. On a dry day, leave the lid open for an hour after the truck comes so moisture can escape.
- Use an odor absorber. A layer of baking soda in the bottom of a clean, dry can soaks up odor and moisture.
- Don’t let liquid pool. If something spills, deal with it before it sits in the heat for a week.
How to clean a garbage can yourself
- Do it right after pickup, when the can is empty.
- Pick a spot on grass or near a drain where dirty water won’t sit on your driveway.
- Rinse out loose debris with a hose on a strong setting.
- Scrub with hot, soapy water and a long-handled brush. Pay attention to the bottom corners and the underside of the lid.
- Rinse thoroughly.
- Dry it in the sun with the lid open, upside down if you can.
- Add baking soda to the bottom once it’s dry.
Wear gloves and eye protection. If you use any cleaning product beyond dish soap, follow the label and never mix chemicals.
Why it’s worth getting them washed
Honestly, cleaning a garbage can is one of the least pleasant chores around a house, and it’s easy to put off until the smell is unbearable. That’s why a lot of people hand it off. We offer garbage can cleaning in the Baton Rouge area: the inside, outside and lid washed out and rinsed. Most customers add it to a driveway cleaning or house wash, and we can clean the pad or side-yard spot where the cans live at the same time.
Don’t forget where the cans sit
The concrete pad, side yard or garage corner where your cans live picks up the same drips and residue. A clean can on a stained, smelly pad doesn’t solve the problem. If the spot is concrete, it cleans up with the same pressure washing we use on sidewalks and walkways.
For restaurants and businesses
Commercial kitchens deal with the same problem at a bigger scale, usually at the dumpster pad. Degreasing and pressure washing the pad cuts odor and the buildup that draws pests. See pressure washing for restaurants.