The Simple Pine-Sol Hack That Will Help Rid Your Trash Can Of Smelly Odors

While most people strive to keep their kitchens as clean and fresh as possible, there is one spot that will always be a little messy: the trash. It's unavoidable. The garbage can is where all the food scraps, paper towels, and general trash go, and because of it, it can often be odorous. That's especially true if it's stored in a slide-out drawer or cabinet, where air circulation is at a minimum. However, you don't have to be hit in the face with a garbage smell every time you use it. Instead, you can help deodorize it with the help of Pine-Sol. 

Pine-Sol is a great product for an unclean place like the trash can because it's not only a multi-purpose cleaning product, but also kills 99.9% of germs, including COVID-19, as per the brand. So not only will it wipe out any lingering germs in the can, but it will also eliminate its smell. Here's how.

The best thing you can do for a smelly garbage can is to use Pine-Sol almost like an essential oil or fragrance. To do so, grab the cleaner from your pantry or buy one at the store. Most dollar stores carry them, so you don't have to break the bank to try this DIY. Once home, pour the liquid onto something absorbent, such as a panty liner, paper towel, or wad of cotton balls. This will be the vehicle that will trap the scent in the can. Using something like a panty liner is great since it has an adhesive on the back, allowing you to secure it to the bottom of the can. But if you don't have any handy in the house, you can just as easily use a paper towel or microfiber cloth. 

Put it in the bottom of the can, and the scent should waft out every time you open the drawer or cabinet. When you throw out the garbage and are ready to put a new bag in, use the liner, paper towel, or cloth to quickly wipe down the bottom and sides, using the Pine-Sol to kill any new germs. Just note that for the product to be effective, you must use it undiluted. For best results, add a fresh amount to your cloth or towel before wiping. Your trash can will be the cleanest it has ever been!