As the UK heatwave continues, a simple bin cleaning method using a common kitchen item can stop bins from smelling. The hack involves sprinkling bicarbonate of soda, which chemically neutralises odours rather than masking them.
How the Hack Works
TikTok user Lily, known as Clean with Lily, shared her routine in a video that has garnered hundreds of views. She said: "I thought I'd do a quick video on how I manage to get my bins to never smell. Once a week I like to give it a deep clean. How I do that is by pouring water in it, and adding a splash of Zoflora." She added: "Then I scrub my life away. I make sure to dry it thoroughly afterwards and then I throw in some kitchen roll and a splash of Zoflora again. Then I use bicarbonate of soda in the black bag."
Bicarbonate of soda is effective because most foul smells are acidic, and the alkaline baking soda reacts with them to neutralise the scent. Moisture is a breeding ground for bacteria, so ensuring the bin is completely dry after washing and placing absorbent paper at the bottom is crucial.
Step-by-Step Guide
To put the hack into practice, add a generous layer or a few tablespoons of baking soda directly to the base of an empty bin before inserting a fresh liner. Place a few sheets of newspaper or kitchen roll beneath the bag to soak up leaks, then sprinkle the bicarb on top of the paper. For a pleasant fresh scent, mix a few drops of essential oil (like lemon, tea tree, or eucalyptus) into the baking soda before sprinkling. Alternatively, blend bicarb with essential oil or dried citrus peel and tie it inside an old sock or muslin cloth, then drop it into the bottom of the bin.
Many viewers admitted the trick "works so well," particularly during scorching weather, and it can be used for both indoor and outdoor bins.
