The kitchen trash can at my last apartment smelled so bad I started taking the trash out daily just to avoid it. The smell had soaked into the plastic itself. I bought a dedicated trash can deodorizer spray that smelled worse than the garbage — like industrial lavender trying to cover up rot.

The fix cost nothing and used stuff already in the kitchen.

Why trash cans hold onto smell

The odor isn’t usually from the bag. Liquid seeps through tiny holes in the bag and pools at the bottom. Even “leak-proof” bags develop micro-tears. That liquid sits there, bacteria multiply, and the smell saturates the plastic.

Vinegar spray for deep cleaning. White vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray the inside of the empty can, let it sit 10 minutes, wipe out. The vinegar smell dissipates in about 30 minutes and takes the trash smell with it. Don’t mix vinegar and baking soda at the same time — they neutralize each other and you get fizzy salt water instead of cleaning action. Use them sequentially.

For outdoor bins: same approach but after cleaning, drill 2-3 small holes in the bottom for drainage. Rainwater and leaking garbage juice won’t pool in the bottom anymore. A few small holes won’t attract pests.

I haven’t bought a trash can deodorizer in two years. Don’t need to.