As temperatures rise, many households may notice an unpleasant smell coming from the kitchen bin and the wheelie bin. In sweltering weather, food waste decomposes far more rapidly, which can prove incredibly frustrating.
Common mistake that worsens bin odours
According to cleaning expert Nigel Bearman, director at Daily Poppins, the most common blunder people commit during warm spells is waiting until the bin is completely full before emptying it. He said: "A bin that seems fine one day can start smelling the next because heat speeds up bacterial growth. If you're waiting until the liner is full before taking it out, you're giving those smells much longer to build up."
Food waste with high moisture content creates the ideal breeding ground for bacteria, particularly once it's sealed inside a closed bin. This can also lure a host of insects, including ants and fruit flies, into your kitchen.
Why lids can make the problem worse
Nigel added: "People often think the lid is helping because it keeps smells inside the bin, but it's also trapping heat and moisture. That creates ideal conditions for bacteria, which is why the smell can be so strong when you open the lid."
Instead of disguising the odour with air fresheners, the cleaning expert advised addressing the root cause with a simple household ingredient that "costs pennies".
The 5p bicarbonate of soda solution
Nigel said: "One of the easiest tricks is to sprinkle a thin layer of bicarbonate of soda into the bottom of a clean bin before putting a fresh liner in. Most people already have it in the cupboard, and it's great at absorbing moisture and neutralising odours before they become a problem."
A pot of bicarbonate of soda can be snapped up for as little as 65p at Tesco, meaning it costs roughly 5p each time you change the bin, according to the expert.
Additional tips for hot weather
On top of this, Nigel suggested emptying the bin more regularly during hot weather and giving it a quick wash with warm, soapy water once a week. He noted: "If you've thrown away fish or meat, don't wait until bin day if you can help it. Taking those smells outside sooner makes a noticeable difference, especially when the weather is warm."
