As temperatures rise across the UK and summer draws closer, now is the ideal time to give your home a good clean. Certain areas of the house demand far more attention during the warmer months than at any other point in the year. One particular issue during the summer months is the bin area, which can quickly become smelly and attract flies if left unchecked.
Lynsey Crombie's Expert Advice
To help Brits get on top of their summer cleaning woes, Lynsey Crombie has spoken exclusively to The Express, sharing some of her top tips. The 'cleanfluencer', widely known as the Queen of Clean on social media, has racked up millions of views for her handy videos and is a familiar face on This Morning. Lynsey, a mum and entrepreneur who has written several books on cleaning, specialises in ultra-speedy hacks that are perfectly suited to busy family life. She boasts more than 14 years of experience helping households transform their homes and lead a more organised life. Her tips are designed to be as practical as possible, making use of budget-friendly products and everyday household items.
The Bicarbonate of Soda Trick
With summer on the horizon and many Brits fretting about odorous bins and unwanted pests, Lynsey has recommended one inexpensive kitchen staple that can make a world of difference and keep things a lot cleaner. She said: "In the warmer weather, bins can quickly become a breeding ground for smells and flies, so I always recommend cleaning them regularly with hot soapy water and a splash of disinfectant or white vinegar. One of my favourite tricks is sprinkling bicarbonate of soda in the bottom of the bin and keeping lids closed tightly to help absorb odours and stop flies being attracted to food waste."
Bicarbonate of soda is a natural deodoriser that's alkaline in nature, meaning it can neutralise any acidic smells hanging in the air. For your bin, simply scatter a couple of tablespoons into the bottom before inserting the bag – following Lynsey's advice – and you should find unpleasant odours become a thing of the past. Experts at Good Housekeeping suggest this method can stay effective for up to three months, though given the likelihood of bins leaking, it's worth repeating the process more regularly, such as every week or so.
Other Natural Remedies
That said, baking soda isn't the only natural remedy that can work wonders in keeping nasty smells and flies at bay this summer. Appearing on This Morning, Lynsey has also recommended the use of essential oils to keep things smelling pleasant, without resorting to harsh chemicals. Adding a few drops of lemon, eucalyptus, or tea tree essential oil to the base of your bin, or onto a cotton pad tucked between the liner and the bin itself, will leave it smelling a lot fresher. As a bonus, these oils are naturally antibacterial and act as an effective insect repellent too. She also suggested soaking cotton wool pads in citronella and positioning them close to your bin area, or placing them in a sealed jar with holes pierced in it. Citronella incense sticks can also be hung nearby, or fly-repelling pouches used in the surrounding area.
