a day ago
How to avoid stinky bins this summer
You might be enjoying the warmer weather, but you're probably not enjoying the smells coming from your bin. As temperatures continue to soar, your bins might start to stink, or even attract pests, but our Queen Of Clean Lynsey Crombie is here to help. She'll be sharing her quick tricks, including a hack which costs just 1p, to banish those smells once & for all.
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1) USE BICARBONATE OF SODA TO ABSORB SMELLS
Sprinkle a generous amount of bicarbonate of soda in the bottom of your bin before adding a new liner. It naturally absorbs odours and helps prevent moisture build-up.
2) LINE THE BOTTOM OF YOUR BINS
Before your bin liner goes in, line the base with newspaper or brown paper to soak up unexpected leaks or spills from food packaging.
3) ESSENTIAL OILS FOR NATURAL FRESHNESS
Add a few drops of lemon, eucalyptus, or tea tree essential oil to the base of your bin or onto a cotton pad tucked between the liner and bin. These oils smell lovely and are naturally antibacterial and insect-repelling. A quick spritz of something l in your favourite scent after emptying the bin keeps things clean and pleasant.
4) BIN BUDDY AND CLEAN UP SPILLS
The Bin Buddy powder dries out the mess, making bins smell fresher for longer. It's especially great for outdoor bins in summer.
Clean up spills immediately the longer the mess sits, the worse it smells.
5) WASH YOUR BINS
Once a week (or every fortnight), take your bin outside and give it a proper clean using boiling water mixed with a disinfectant or white vinegar. Don't forget the lid and inner rim.
6) DOUBLE BAG FOOD WASTE
If you're putting anything particularly smelly or damp in the bin (think meat trays, leftover food), double-bag it to reduce leakage and odour.
7) KEEP BIN LIDS CLOSED
Flies love warmth and access. Make sure your outdoor bins are firmly closed at all times and, if possible, kept out of direct sunlight to reduce odours and insect attraction.
8) WATER TRICK TO REPEL FILES
Hang a clear sandwich bag or small jar filled with water and a few coins near your outdoor bin. The light reflecting off the coins in water confuses and deters flies—sounds strange, but it really works!
9) USE CITRONELLA NEAR OUTDOOR BINS
Both scents are natural fly deterrents. Soak cotton pads with citronella and place them near your bin area (in a sealed jar with holes works great). You can also hang citronella incense or use fly-repelling pouches nearby.
10) INVEST IN YOUR BINS
Titan 30L Black Trash Compactor £199, Joseph Joseph
£60.30, Tower
Rubbish Press Waste Compactor Trashor, £45.99
PRODUCTS:
£2.75, Sainsbury's
Bin Buddy Fresh Pink Grapefruit, £3.40
Trash Ninja Bin Freshener, £8.99
STL Pack Of 50 Citronella Incense Sticks, £6.99
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