Wheelie bins are less smelly and stop upsetting neighbours if you do a quick task in June. If your wheelie bin always seems to smell terrible during summer, then there is a simple fix that takes less than five minutes that will keep unpleasant odours away.
Why Wheelie Bins Smell Worse in Summer
Nothing is worse than going outside on a hot day only to be hit with a horrible, rotting stench, and this often happens when a wheelie bin is not stored properly. Wheelie bins tend to smell much more in summer because food breaks down faster in warm weather, releasing foul-smelling gases and creating the perfect conditions for bacteria to grow.
Many people make the mistake of leaving their wheelie bin close to their gate so it is less effort to take it out when the bin wagon arrives, but this is usually what causes it to smell.
The Simple Fix: Move Your Bin to Shade
Instead, Frankie Levin from Jeyes Fluid has shared there is an easy way to keep your bin fresh, as you simply have to move it to a shadier and cooler area near your home. Frankie said: "Warm weather intensifies bin smells, especially in outdoor wheelie bins. Whenever possible, position bins in a shaded area away from direct sunlight. A cooler environment slows the decomposition of food waste, reducing unpleasant smells."
Why Shade Matters
Keeping bins somewhere exposed will heat up the plastic and cause it to have a strong odour. The smell inside wheelie bins can become much more putrid if in an exposed area, as the sun will heat up the plastic, which will raise the temperature inside the bin.
It not only causes a wheelie bin to smell awful for anyone nearby, but the scent of decaying waste is known to attract flies that are currently looking for somewhere warm to lay eggs. Not moving your wheelie bin in June can cause flies to keep coming into your home, and it is likely to lead to a maggot infestation that will become noticeable very quickly.
Best Placement for Your Bin
It is generally better to keep wheelie bins next to a wall, shed, fence, or any other area that provides shade, as this helps keep them cooler and slows the rate at which waste breaks down. However, make sure the bin is not pressed directly against a surface, as this can restrict air circulating around it.
Airflow around a wheelie bin is important, as it helps a lot of moisture evaporate from the waste and prevents it from building up at the bottom of the bin. Liquid inside a wheelie bin will quickly turn sour and create an even stronger odour, so make sure to slightly move your bins so there is more space around them.
Additional Tips for a Fresh Bin
Taking the time to move your bin may sound simple, but it is usually the most effective way to stop it smelling, so you can avoid upsetting your neighbours this summer. However, if any waste residue keeps dripping down to the bottom of your bin even after moving it then consider lining the bottom with some newspaper. Frankie said: "Place a layer of old newspaper at the bottom of the bin before fitting the liner. These materials help keep the interior dry and reduce bacterial growth."
