A Bicarbonate Soda Hack Will Keep Your Trash Can Smelling Fresh

Even if you never cook, baking soda (or sodium bicarbonate) is one pantry item that deserves a spot in any kitchen. Beyond its culinary uses, you can find dozens of ways to use baking soda for cleaning the home and anything in it. Whether your grease-burnt pans need scouring or your laundry needs a deodorizing boost, sodium bicarbonate shines as an effective, safe, and affordable solution. And if you frequently face nasty odors emanating from your trash, you'll be glad to know baking soda can come in handy once again to quickly restore a fresh scent to the kitchen.

Bacteria release scores of organic compounds as they break down food and other biodegradable materials, creating a bouquet of funky odors in the garbage. When it becomes more than you can bear, a layer of baking soda can inhibit those smells from reaching your nostrils the next time you open the trash can. Sprinkle a liberal amount of baking soda in it whenever you notice a stink. Adding several drops of an essential oil will make it more pleasant-smelling. Since sodium bicarbonate is amphoteric, it can neutralize acidic and alkaline substances with equal vigor. A generous application can eliminate all kinds of odors regardless of the source. Plus, the absorbent powder will suck up any moisture it encounters. Since bacteria don't flourish as well in dry conditions, baking soda can help stop them from producing new odors as it eliminates existing ones.

Baking soda is one of many solutions for stinky trash, yet you can use it in different ways to keep the can fresh. Sprinkling a layer at the bottom of the garbage is a super-simple hack for avoiding nasty smells. But when your trash can needs a deep cleaning, baking soda can also replace your usual soap and water. It doesn't just deodorize. The micro abrasive powder makes a gentle scrubber to release grimy buildup and give the trash can a complete refresh. 

Mix baking soda with a tiny bit of water to make a thick paste. Using a paper towel to hold the paste, scrub the trash can's sides and bottom. Scrub lightly in a circular motion. Don't worry about damage; baking soda is coarse enough to buff out minor scratches but won't wear down the surface. In only a few passes, you'll clear away stubborn greasy gunk and stuck-on food, leaving nothing but an odor-free and clean receptacle.

With tons of uses, baking soda may run out faster than you might expect. So, what can you use in the meantime to fix an irritating trash can smell? Conveniently enough, you don't have to stray too far to find workable alternatives. If you live with a cat, you can place some kitty litter at the bottom of the garbage bag to help absorb odors and moisture.  A sprinkling of baby powder works as well, or you can repurpose charcoal for the grill by crushing it up and putting it in the trash to suck up odors.

If you prefer a scented solution, spritzes of essential oil can replace garbage odors with delightful fragrances. TikToker makelifesimpler reveals a clever way to apply essential oils with a sticky furniture pad in the trash can's lid. It all goes to show that a stinky garbage bin is a common problem with countless fixes. Nothing beats baking soda's convenience and effectiveness in managing foul odors wafting up from the pile, but even if you're out of this everyday culinary component, relief from a smelly trash can is rarely hard to find if you know where to look.