Here's How Often You Need To Clean Your Garbage Can

Have you ever actually thought about cleaning your garbage can? It's probably not your first thought, even considering how smelly and germy it is. If you haven't, don't feel bad because it's an easy thing to neglect, but definitely not something you should. Your garbage can is home to bacteria, mold, germs, and general filth. You may think your garbage can should be dirty, considering that's where the trash goes, but that's not true at all.

Think about all the times you touched your trash to throw away something — has it ever crossed your mind how much bacteria is being transferred to your hands and anything else you touch after that? Has it ever crossed your mind the number of germs and bacteria that can make you sick, all coming from your garbage can? The truth of the matter is that your garbage can needs to be cleaned regularly. Your garbage can is as dirty as what's inside of it.

Bacteria are one of the fastest-growing organisms, which means that they spread pretty quickly. Imagine the disgusting trash that just sits there until it's time to be taken out. According to Clean Cans, bacteria grow and spread every four to twenty minutes. Imagine how much bacterial growth is in your garbage can at home. Not to mention, the average American throws out 600 times their physical weight in trash in one lifetime, according to Clean Cans. Gross, huh? Imagine what that number would look like and think about how much bacteria is lingering in your garbage can day to day without a consistent proper cleaning from time to time. You're only creating more filth in your household.

According to Spoon University, germs related to the common cold can be found in the garbage can due to tissues and napkins that were thrown out containing E. Coli. Studies show that regular cleaning is essential to reduce any risks of infections. Without regularly cleaning your garbage can, you're not only hoarding growing bacteria, but you're also putting your health at risk as well as anyone else in your home. Strong odors from the garbage can are triggered by bacterial growth.

You should clean your garbage can typically once a month, but there's no harm in cleaning it more often than that, especially if you're someone who throws out a lot of trash. The residue left in your trash can begins to grow into bacteria in just a few days. According to Clean Cans, households tend to throw out 1%0 to 15% of food that is purchased. Listeria, Salmonella, and E. Coli multiply in your garbage can if you aren't cleaning it regularly. This is why it's not only important to clean your garbage can but remove trash from your home before it builds up as well. Don't underestimate the power of bacteria making you sick and causing serious health issues. 

You should use rubber gloves to avoid touching any germs or chemicals you may use with your bare hands. The best-recommended appliance to use is a long-handled scrub brush or toilet brush with dish soap and water. However, if your garbage can is extremely smelly and nasty, you can make a homemade disinfectant using one gallon of warm water, 3/4 of chlorine bleach, and one tablespoon of powdered laundry detergent. When you're finished cleaning your garbage can, it's best to let it air dry. Cleaning your garbage can might not be the most fun thing to do, but it's better to clean it than suffer the consequences of getting sick or bacteria spreading.