You might only think about your garbage can on trash day, but just like all of the outdoor furniture and tools, your garbage can requires occasional maintenance. Keeping the garbage clean both in and out helps protect your investment and makes the exterior of your home or office look clean and tidy. 

Having a filthy or overflowing garbage can can create safety and health hazards. An overflowing garbage can looks messy and attracts wild animals. If your trash includes large items with recognizable labels, you could also attract criminals who use packaging trash to learn about what you have in your home. 

If you want to avoid having an overloaded trash can, you need to find one that is large enough to meet your regular needs. If you have occasions when one is not enough, you can invest in a second one and store it when it’s not in use. Rather than keeping your garbage cans in your home, you can add an attractive hiding spot on the side of your home. 

Select a Trash Can That Meets Your Needs

When you purchase your trash can, you want one that can withstand the elements and the animals. A bear-proof trash can can withstand attacks from all types of animals. They are made of sturdy materials and will not collapse under pressure. 

Your trash can should have a lid that stays in place, especially when a large animal, like a bear, is trying to get into it. A solidly built trash can will not only withstand pressure from animals, but also from the power of the wind and weather. 

If you have to move your trash can from your garage or behind a screen, you will want one with wheels. Otherwise, they can be too unwieldy when full . The garbage can should also fit the requirements for your garbage hauler, since many have trucks with automated lifters. Many garbage cans have handles that make them easy to push. 

Along with choosing a garbage can with wheels, it is vital to have one with a cover. Garbage cans build up repulsive odors and having a lid can keep the smells inside of the can. The lid can keep the smells in the can, instead of seeping out and attracting animals. The lid can also keep stray garbage from blowing out and animals from getting in. 

While you are shopping around for the perfect garbage can, consider the shape. A rectangular can is easier to store, as they fit securely into corners. Cylindrical designs waste space, as they do not fit into corners. 

Maintaining Your Trash Cans

Garbage cans are an investment, so you want to take good care of them. You need to clean them and keep them in protected places. 

Cleaning a Trash Can

Keeping your trash can clean begins with keeping a garbage bag in the bottom. The garbage bag will collect liquid and other debris from collecting in the bottom of the can. 

To clean the garbage can, remove the garbage bag from the bottom of the can. If you have not placed garbage bags in the bottom, then remove any trash in the bottom. Some people like to wear gloves when doing this. It can also be helpful to clean your garbage can right after it was picked up by your sanitation company. 

The next step is to spray the inside of the can. Use a garden hose with a pressure nozzle. If you use a pressure washer, be careful of your surroundings especially pavers and other easily damaged items. 

If substances have made their home in the bottom of the can, use Dawn or another grease-cutting soap to break it down. Squirt the soap in the bottom, fill the garbage can at least one-third full with water, and let the soap do its work. You can also use a cup or two of distilled white vinegar. If the can requires extra cleaning, use a handled scrub brush to clean the sides. Rinse the can until it is clean. 

To let the garbage can dry, tip it upside down to let it empty. After the can has dried, you can put a baking soda or another odor-absorbent powder into the bottom of the can. You can also spray it with Lysol or white vinegar. If you use vinegar, you’ll want to spray it again to remove the smell.  If you have a metal garbage can, baking soda can cause it to rust. To avoid this problem, put baking soda in a coffee filter and close it with a twist-tie. You can also put dryer sheets in your garbage can to reduce odors. You will have to replace these items each week, as everything in the garbage can will end up in a garbage truck.

Store Your Garbage Can in a Safe Place

Where you put your garbage matters. If your garbage can is outside, keep it in a place that gets the least amount of sun and wind. The weather can damage the outside of the garbage bin. Keeping your garbage can in a shaded area will prevent the sun from damaging the exterior, and it will prevent the inside from getting hot and cause smells to increase. 

If you put it in your garage, be sure to have out of the way of your vehicles. You don’t want to hit it with your car, or you could damage it beyond use. You could also knock it over and spill garbage all over your garage floor. It’s a good idea to avoid putting garbage cans in a garage or shed, because the smells can take over those enclosed spaces. 

To reduce odors in your garbage can and to reduce your amount of garbage, consider making a compost pile for kitchen scraps and some paper products. With a compost pile, you keep rotting food from stinking up your garbage can. You can also save money on garden compost if you make your own. 

Hiding an Exterior Garbage Can

Garbage cans are ugly, and they can reduce curb appeal. Fortunately, it’s relatively easy to hide them without having to store them in a garage or shed. Wherever you decide to hide your garbage can, choose a place that gives you easy access to the curb. No one wants to push their garbage cans long distances. 

Before making any changes to your fence, home, or yard, consider what you already have. If you have trees or a fence that you could use to camouflage your garbage cans, use them. Many people put their garbage cans along the side of their home, behind a fence. Consider the route you have to take to the curb, too. It’s much easier to push a garbage can over paved routes rather than over grass. 

If you don’t have any hiding places, consider these simple and inexpensive solutions. 

Add a Partial Fence or Privacy Screen

One of the easiest ways to hide garbage cans outside is to put a partial fence along the side of your home. In many situations, you only need three to five feet of fence that is at least the same height as your garbage can. Have the fence extend directly from the side of your home. You might be able to find a panel that doesn’t need to have posts dug into the ground. Manufacturers make folding panels especially to disguise trash cans. They usually have metal frames covered with a natural material like wicker or willow. 

If you don’t want to add fencing, you can use a trellis and camouflage your trash bins by letting ivy or another creeping plant over the trellis. Consider using a composite panel to add style and hide your garbage cans, too. 

You could also create a trellis or small fence out of recycled pallets. The slatted wood gives you a place to hang flower boxes or to grow ivy. You can paint or stain the pallets to have them match your home. 

Use Shrubbery or Plants

If you prefer to hide your garbage can with something more organic, you can add shrubs to create a natural fence. Boxwoods or other evergreen shrubs will keep your trash cans hidden in all seasons. Dogwood is also useful for hiding unsightly garbage cans. 

Build a Garbage Pad

Some homeowners like to have a clean, dedicated place for your garbage cans. You can do this by adding a small cement pad on the side of your home and installing an attractive fence to block it. The cement keeps the garbage can clean on the bottom. Installed fence is less likely to fall over in the wind than a folding panel or trellis. 

Build a Garbage Shed

You could hide your exterior garbage can with an attractive wooden enclosure, like a mini garbage shed. Consider building or buying a four-sided enclosure with a top that lifts and one side that opens. To add garbage to the can, you lift the top. To remove the can, you open the side and roll the garbage can out of it. This might not be as attractive as hiding your can behind a trellis or attractive fence, but it is much better looking than an ugly garbage can. The garbage shed only needs to be slightly bigger than your garbage can, because that is the only thing you’ll put in it.