Cleaning Tips: How to remove odour from a stainless steel bin

Stainless steel bins are a stylish addition to any kitchen, but they can be challenging to clean.

One Redditer, struggling to remove an “awful smell out of stainless steel garbage bin”, has reached out for help.

“I need your help. I have a stainless steel garbage bin that stinks like bad breath, like tonsil stones. It’s driving me crazy and I can’t seem to get rid of it,” they explained.

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“I’ve tried cleaner, I’ve tried vinegar, and most recently I sprayed it down with dish soap (the Dawn spray stuff) and a bleach cleaning spray.

“I let them each sit for a while before spraying them down with hot water in the bathtub, but the smell is still as persistent as ever.”

They explained their bin has “4 holes in the bottom, so filling it with water poses a bit of a challenge”.

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“Considering I’ve already washed this about 4 times (multiple rounds of vinegar to begin with), does anyone have any easy tips on what I can do to get rid of this smell??” they asked.

And it was a savvy Redditor who was quick to point out what the source of the odour may be.

“See if you can figure out how to pry the plastic liner out without destroying it,” they said.

“There will be rotting sludge between the liner and the steel can. Look at the plate at the bottom, on the lower left edge. It looks like it’s been disturbed before.”

“You have a really good eye! I had no idea it came apart (it came pre-assembled) but it did and I was able to take it apart! It’s soaking in Lysol now! Thank you!!” they grateful bin owner responded.

They later explained that after taking their bin apart and “several Lysol soaks and an overnight vinegar soak”, the smell remains.

“The good news is that I can really only smell it when I put my nose close to the plastic, and since it’s the bottom of the garbage can, maybe it’ll be enough distance to live with,” they said.

“I’m trying to decide if I should continue trying things or just deal with it now that it’s at a more tolerable level.”

Some Redditors suggested adding an absorbent material to the bin instead of more cleaning and scrubbing.

“Perhaps give a generous dusting of baking soda(bi-carb) and shake then out. Then put some charcoal chips satchel pouch,” one suggested.

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“I put a layer of cheap, scented kitty litter at the bottom of my garbage bin and it works really well,” another said.

Another also shared: “I don’t have anything new to add for removing the smell but once you do, you can sprinkle some baking soda at the bottom of the can to reduce future smells.”

Others shared their own frustrations at their stainless steel bin odours.

“I have this same problem with stainless steel trash bins. If any smelly trash sits in there for even half a day, it’s nearly impossible to get rid of the smell,” one Redditer lamented.

“Have you tried leaving it out in the sun for a few days?” another said of a simple solution no-one had yet suggested.

“We spray ours with orange or lemon cleaner every so often just for the smell alone,” another said.

“Ensuring food doesn’t get outside the liner you place in the bin is key. Never put food in the bin directly. We’ve had our metal can for years without any issues. Crossing my fingers you resolve it.”

One person suggested using vodka to clean it.

“I regularly use it on the inside of my trash can to kill the smell,” they suggested, adding that they “tried isopropyl alcohol, but it doesn’t do as good of a job as the vodka”.

“Vodka is amazing for odours,” another agreed.

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“Honestly this is why I cannot own steel trash cans anymore,” another said.

“I know plastic is not environmentally friendly, but the steel ones are just too expensive for how badly they eventually rust and smell,” another shared.

“Tbh the main draw of this garbage can for me was the motion-activated lid, and it’s actually quite for smell containment overall — I can’t smell anything from it when the lid is closed, so it won’t be the biggest issue for me if I can’t get the smell out of it,” said another.

“But I hear what you’re saying, they are much pricier!” they added.

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One Redditor suggested rubbing essential oils on their bin after cleaning.

“Do you have any essential oils? I clean mine with vinegar and citrus essential oils. But mine are plastic so idk if that makes a difference,” they said.

“You could also try baking soda. I’d make a paste with baking soda, a couple of drops of essential oils, and a little water, rub it on the inside and let it sit overnight then scrub out and rinse,” added another.

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