Guide
How to clean a trash can (and how often)
A dirty bin smells, draws flies and attracts animals. Here's how to clean one yourself in about 20 to 30 minutes, how often to do it, and when it makes sense to pay a service instead.
Updated October 30, 2026 · By the Trade Pricing Control team · Where our prices come from
What you need
- A garden hose with a spray nozzle, or a pressure washer on a low setting
- A long-handled scrub brush or toilet brush
- Dish soap, or a disinfectant cleaner used as the label directs
- Rubber gloves and old clothes
- Baking soda (optional, for odor)
How to clean a trash can in 7 steps
- Pick the right day. Clean right after the garbage truck empties the bin, on a dry, sunny day so it can dry fast.
- Remove leftover debris. Pull out stuck bags and loose trash and put them in a fresh bag.
- Rinse it out. Spray the inside, including the bottom and the underside of the lid, to loosen grime.
- Scrub. Add a squirt of dish soap or your cleaner and a little water, then scrub the walls, bottom and lid with the long brush.
- Disinfect if needed. For maggots or a strong smell, use a disinfectant cleaner and leave it for the time the label says before rinsing.
- Rinse again. Tip the bin to drain. Where the dirty water goes matters. Many cities don't want it running into storm drains, so drain it onto grass or gravel if you can.
- Dry and deodorize. Leave it upside down in the sun until fully dry, then sprinkle a little baking soda in the bottom.
How often should you clean your trash can?
| Situation | How often |
|---|---|
| Most homes | Every 2 to 3 months |
| Summer or hot climates | Monthly |
| Food scraps, diapers or pet waste in the bin | Monthly |
| Recycling bin (rinsed containers) | Once or twice a year |
| Maggots, flies or a strong smell | Right away |
How to keep a bin clean longer
- Always bag trash, and tie the bags closed.
- Rinse food containers before they go in the recycling.
- Put a sheet of newspaper or cardboard in the bottom to soak up leaks.
- Keep the lid shut, and park the bin in the shade in summer.
- Wrap meat and fish scraps, or freeze them until trash day.
DIY or hire a bin cleaning service?
Doing it yourself costs almost nothing, but takes 20 to 30 minutes per can and it's a messy job. A service brings hot, high-pressure water, disinfects, collects the dirty water in its truck and usually cleans on trash day while you're out.
| Bin cleaning service | Typical 2026 price |
|---|---|
| One-time deep clean | $35 – $60 per bin |
| Every 4 weeks | $18 – $25 per bin |
| Every 6 weeks | $22 – $28 per bin |
| Every 8 – 12 weeks | $25 – $32 per bin |
| Each extra bin | $4 – $10 |
A service is most worth it if the bins attract flies or animals, you don't have a hose or a place to drain dirty water, or your HOA has rules about wastewater. See the full breakdown in the trash can cleaning cost calculator.
Starting a bin cleaning business? Profit comes from doing many stops on one street on trash day. The calculator shows what each route stop pays, and pairs well with pressure washing and pet waste removal for the same customers.
Frequently asked questions
How do you clean a smelly trash can?
Rinse it with a hose, scrub the inside with a long brush and dish soap or a disinfectant cleaner, rinse again and dry it upside down in the sun. A little baking soda in the bottom helps with odor afterward.
How often should you clean your garbage can?
Every 2 to 3 months for most homes, and monthly in summer or if you throw away food scraps, diapers or pet waste.
How do you get rid of maggots in a trash can?
Empty the bin, rinse it out, then scrub it with a disinfectant cleaner used as the label directs. Dry it in the sun and keep trash bagged and the lid closed to stop them coming back.
How much does trash can cleaning cost?
A one-time professional clean usually costs $35 to $60 per bin. Recurring plans are cheaper, about $18 to $25 per bin every four weeks.
Is a trash can cleaning service worth it?
It's worth it if your bins smell or attract pests and you don't want the mess, or have nowhere to drain dirty water. Otherwise, a 20-minute clean with a hose and brush every couple of months does the job.