There's nothing quite as unpleasant as stepping outside to bask in the sunshine, only to be hit by a foul stench wafting from your wheelie bin. However, there is a straightforward, low-effort solution to keep bins fresh. As warmer months arrive, rising temperatures cause food waste to decompose more rapidly, generating moisture that trickles to the bin's base. This odour attracts flies, which need a damp environment with organic waste to lay eggs. Most households hose down their bins, but this only tackles visible grime and fails to eliminate the sugar, grease, and food residue that draw flies.
Newspaper: The Simple Solution
Sam Nolan from Wheelie Bin Storage Direct has revealed a simple trick to banish maggots and foul smells—and all you need is newspaper. Sam said: "Flies tend to be attracted to food and lay eggs on it, which then develop into maggots or larvae. Simply wrapping up food waste in newspaper before putting it in the bin can help prevent this."
How Newspaper Keeps Flies Away
When scraps from vegetable peelings, cooked food, or teabags settle at the bottom of the bin, they create the perfect breeding ground for bacteria that attract flies. Over time, this food waste liquifies in the heat, forming a sticky layer known as biofilm, which is notoriously difficult to shift. Once flies discover this food source, they become extremely difficult to eliminate, and maggots are likely to follow, creating an even more pungent rotting smell throughout summer.
Lining your bin with newspaper traps food waste and soaks up any liquid before biofilm has a chance to form, making bins far less appealing to flies. It stops foul odours and food stains from accumulating, keeping the bin fresher and saving you the hassle of repeatedly hosing it down during warmer months.
Additional Tips for a Clean Wheelie Bin
Simply save old newspapers or magazines and use them to wrap food waste before placing it in the bin. Double-wrap meat scraps in particular, as these are the biggest culprits for attracting flies. It also helps to line the base of the bin with newspaper or cardboard after it has been emptied, preventing food waste from sticking to the plastic.
Many people also sprinkle cat litter into the bottom of their bin. Although it may sound odd, cat litter is specially designed to absorb liquid and odours, making it surprisingly effective at deterring flies.
Always position your wheelie bin in a shaded spot, as direct sunlight heats up the plastic, accelerating decomposition and intensifying the smell. Should your bin start to whiff, a thorough clean using soapy water mixed with disinfectant will do the trick—just be sure to dry it out completely afterwards, as any lingering moisture will draw flies straight back in.
