A cleaning expert has shared a three-step routine for keeping kitchen bins odour-free, with the key step being a weekly sprinkle of bicarbonate of soda into a fresh bin bag.
TikTok cleaning expert Lily (@cleanwithlily) warned her followers that a dirty bin is “one of the main reasons why your kitchen might stink,” and shared her method to banish the stench for good.
Three-step routine for a fresh bin
Simply rinsing the plastic out with a hose usually won’t do the trick, according to Lily. Her routine begins with a deep clean: she squirts Fairy Liquid into her empty bin, adds a splash of Zoflora and some warm water, and scrubs until the plastic smells clean.
After cleaning, she advises letting the bin air dry before putting a new bag in. “Once I’ve given it a good clean, I like to dry it afterwards [and] let it air dry,” she said.
Why bicarbonate of soda works
The secret weapon is sprinkling a layer of bicarbonate of soda directly into the fresh bin bag to stop smells building up during the week.
Bicarb works because most vile rubbish smells, like sour milk, old meat or rotting veg, are highly acidic. As bicarb is alkaline, it chemically reacts with those acidic odour molecules, neutralising them into harmless, odourless salts.
Moisture and bacteria control
Bins can get humid and sweaty, leading to a grim puddle of liquid at the bottom. Bicarb acts like a sponge, naturally absorbing excess moisture and drying out the bottom of the bin bag.
The bacteria that cause foul, rotting smells thrive in damp, acidic environments. By soaking up moisture and neutralising acid, bicarb creates a hostile environment where bacteria cannot multiply, fester, or survive.
Unlike floral air fresheners, which often just mask the smell with a mix of lavender and rotting fish, bicarb physically alters the odour molecules, eliminating the stench completely. It is also cheap and non-toxic, making it safe to use around pets and young children.
