Home and household
How to clean a wheelie bin properly
A clean bin smells less, attracts fewer flies and lasts longer. It takes about 15 minutes, and the best time is straight after collection when the bin is empty.
You will need
- Rubber gloves
- A long-handled brush or old mop
- Hot water and washing-up liquid or a mild disinfectant
- Bicarbonate of soda or white vinegar (optional)
- A hose or watering can
Step by step
- Wait until it has been emptied. Pick out anything stuck to the bottom.
- Rinse. Spray or pour water inside to loosen dirt.
- Scrub. Add hot soapy water and scrub the sides, base and underneath the lid. Pay attention to the hinge and rim, where gunk collects.
- Disinfect. Use a mild disinfectant or a mix of water and white vinegar. Avoid bleach mixed with any other cleaner.
- Rinse again and tip the bin to drain.
- Dry it. Leave it upside down or open in the sun. A damp bin smells sooner.
- Freshen. Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda in the bottom and add a sheet of newspaper.
Where the water goes
Never tip dirty bin water into a road drain. Those drains usually carry rainwater straight to rivers. Use an outside gully that connects to the sewer, pour it down a toilet, or tip it onto a lawn away from drains and watercourses.
Food caddies
Wash the kitchen caddy every week or two in hot soapy water. The outdoor caddy can be rinsed after each collection. Dry them before putting in a new liner.
Bin cleaning services
Many areas have private companies that clean bins on collection day for a small fee. They use hot water and collect the waste water. Check reviews and that they dispose of the water responsibly.