A TikTok cleaning expert has shared a simple weekly routine that stops kitchen bins from smelling for good. The method uses Fairy Liquid, Zoflora and bicarbonate of soda to eliminate odours at the source.
Cleaning creator Lily (@cleanwithlily) said a dirty bin is "one of the main reasons why your kitchen might stink," which is why she deep-cleans hers regularly. The routine involves three steps: washing, drying and deodorising.
The three-step bin-cleaning method
First, Lily pours a squirt of Fairy Liquid into her empty bin along with a splash of Zoflora and some warm water. She then scrubs away the grime until the plastic smells fresh again.
Second, she advises letting the bin dry completely before adding a new bag. "Once I've given it a good clean, I like to dry it afterwards [and] let it air dry," she said.
Third, to keep odours at bay during the week, she sprinkles bicarbonate of soda straight into the bottom of the fresh bin bag.
Why bicarbonate of soda works
Most unpleasant bin odours come from the acids produced by decomposing food. Because bicarbonate of soda is a mild base, it chemically neutralises those acidic odour molecules on contact, transforming them into harmless salts.
It also naturally soaks up excess moisture, making it much harder for odour-causing bacteria to multiply and fester at the bottom of the bin.
Extra kitchen-cleaning tips
Lily also shared additional tips for keeping the rest of the kitchen sparkling. She swears by the Fairy Liquid and Zoflora combination for tackling all kitchen worktops, noting it leaves the whole room smelling "amazing."
The soapy combo can also be used to clean matte kitchen cupboards, but they should be buffed with a "dry glass cloth" immediately after wiping to prevent streaky water marks.
For hobs, she recommends a cream cleaner such as The Pink Stuff or Cif. For stubborn, burnt-on food, she suggests gently scraping it away with a specialised hob knife, wiping away the cleaner with a wet microfibre cloth, and finishing with a spritz of glass cleaner and a dry cloth for a flawless shine.
