Bins, let’s be honest, they’re never going to be the most glamorous part of our homes. But during summer, they can quickly go from mildly unpleasant to downright offensive. Whether it’s the kitchen bin, the bathroom bin or the wheelie bin sitting outside, the combination of rising temperatures and leftover food can turn them into the perfect breeding ground for excess bacteria and gruesome pests.
With the UK having already experienced several heatwaves this year, the warm weather is causing household waste to decompose more quickly. Which means stronger, sourer odours. Those smells act as a magnet for pests like flies and ants, who happily move in and lay their eggs inside your bins... and before you know it, you’ve got a very unwelcome maggot situation on your hands.
The good news? A few small changes to your bin routine can make a huge difference. So whether you’re keen to banish the “hot bin” smell, keep creepy-crawlies at bay, or simply stay on top of your summertime cleaning habits, here are some easy, practical tips to help keep your bins clean, odour-free and, dare we say, almost satisfying to use.
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Why do bins smell more in summer?
In short: bacteria love the heat as much as we do. Once temperatures start climbing, bacteria and microorganisms become far more active and organic matter (like food scraps) decomposes at a much faster rate. That process releases volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are carried through the warm air. Hence why you notice the smell almost immediately when you lift the lid.
The decomposing process also releases a delightful mix of chemicals including putrescine and cadaverine (they smell as grim as they sound), and those smells act like a bat-signal for flies, ants and rodents. Flies in particular are a big summer issue. In warm weather they lay their eggs in as little as 10 seconds, and those eggs can hatch into maggots within a day. The best way to beat them? Stop them getting access in the first place.
Simple habits to adopt this summer
Double bagging
Before you toss food waste in at random, get into the habit of identifying the serious stinkers – raw meat packaging, fish trimmings, prawn shells and anything dairy-based. Wrap these in a second bag (a zip-lock or even a sheet of newspaper works) to create an extra layer of protection. Think of it as bin quarantine, keeping the smells locked inside and the pests outside.
Line the bottom of the bin
If you’re familiar with the term bin juice, you’ll already understand why this step is a lifesaver. Any moisture leaks straight to the bottom of the bin and begins to fester. Add a layer of newspaper or a piece of flattened cardboard under the bag to absorb drips and stop them pooling. It also makes the big clean 10x easier later down the line.
Bicarbonate of soda
Truly the hero of household essentials, there is seemingly nothing bicarb can’t do- including sprucing up your bin. A light sprinkle of bicarb in the base of your bin absorbs odours before they rise up and escape. You only need a small handful and, once every couple of months, you can sweep or rinse it out and start again. Silent, effective, and very cheap.
Rinse tins and trays
While this may seem annoying at the time, and slightly overkill, giving empty food packaging (think baked bean tins, yoghurt containers, takeaway trays) a quick rinse gets rid of a lot of left-over food residue that we don’t usually notice. That’s the stuff that attracts flies and leads to maggots forming – so a few seconds at the sink can make a world of difference. And while they don’t need to be perfectly spotless, packaging needs to be rid of the majority of food waste in order to be recycled. Good for your bin and the plant.
Keep bins out of direct sunlight
Most wheelie bins are dark coloured so act like mini ovens in summer. If you can, move the bin into a shaded corner of the garden or driveway, behind a fence or wall, or even underneath a large shrub. A little shade massively slows down the rate of decomposition (and makes it less attractive to sun-seeking flies).
Give bins a rinse
Perhaps the most obvious tip of all, and the most important, give your bins a wash. A regular clean, even once every two weeks, will remove bacteria and lingering odours before they build up. Hot water and a squirt of washing-up liquid is enough in most cases, but you can add a splash of white vinegar or anti-bacterial cleaner if it’s particularly grim. And if you’ve really got some built-up muck, taking a pressure washer to the old thing can be pretty satisfying. Make sure you’re doing little cleans in between too. When there’s a spill or a splatter on the outside, simply wipe down with some anti-bacterial wipes like these ones from Zoflora, they smell amazing plus they're biodegradable too. Trust me, future you will thank you for making the big clean just that bit easier.
Essential oils
I personally use this hack all around my home, just wherever I want a little extra scent boost. Soak a cotton wool pad in your favourite essential oil. Not only is this a nice smell for us that also masks any bin-esc scents but it doubles as pest repellent.
It drives away pests like flies, ants and rodents depending on which scent you use. Scents like peppermint, rosemary or citronella are a great choice, and if you’re extra concerned about the pests, you can also scatter ground cinnamon or black pepper, these smell like predators to ants and disrupt trails.
Always keep the lid shut
Even when you’re in and out of the kitchen, try not to leave the lid propped open. Flies only need a few seconds to nip in and lay eggs on the surface of food waste – and once they do, maggots can appear within hours in hot weather. Closed lids keep smells inside and pests out so be vigilant with both your indoor and outdoor bins.
Try a bin deodoriser
Want a little extra insurance in the height of summer? There are some brilliantly effective bin deodorisers and lid filters that don’t just mask smells, but actually absorb and neutralise them. Many use charcoal or naturally absorbent minerals. Bin Buddy’s Bin Freshener Deodoriser Powder is a great option for general freshness and Vivid’s Dust Bin Fresheners attach neatly inside the lid. Pop one in before the next heatwave and thank yourself later.
Bin cleaning kit
Dettol Antibacterial Disinfectant Surface Cleaner, Pack of 6
Dettol Antibacterial Biodegradable Surface Cleaning Disinfectant Wipes, 3 Packs
