SKL Posted July 10, 2019 Share Posted July 10, 2019 So I literally think something crawled into our [outside] garbage can and died. There was this horrific stink a couple weeks ago. I hoped it would go away after the trash pickup, but it still stunk, and there were maggots crawling around on something that could have been furry "remains." I was on my way out of town for the holiday, but I sprayed about half a can of disinfecting spray in there and hoped for the best. A week later it still stinks, though not as badly. I was wondering if I should buy a bag of cat litter and dump it in there. Or should I use my unused guinea pig litter since our piggy died? (Don't worry, our piggy was not the stink in the can.) Or what should I do? I don't think bleach or any other harsh chemical is a good idea, as it might damage the can and cause a leak. The garbage can is issued by the city and is made of thick green plastic. What would you do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawz4me Posted July 10, 2019 Share Posted July 10, 2019 We have to scrub our outside garbage can a few times a year, especially during the summer. The heat/humidity here combined with what seems to be unavoidable garbage can gunk leads to maggots and odors and all around nastiness if we don't. Our method is to fill it about one-third or so full of water, add in a few large glugs of PineSol or similar cleaner, take an old broom and swish it around. Let it stand awhile, then dump it out. flip it upside down and let it air dry. I've cleaned garbage cans all my life and have never had any degradation of the cans. The flipping it upside down is the hardest part for me. The thing is bigger than I am! 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashfern Posted July 10, 2019 Share Posted July 10, 2019 There are companies who clean those kind of cans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
almondbutterandjelly Posted July 10, 2019 Share Posted July 10, 2019 Vinegar works on maggoty garbage cans. Ask me how I know. 😞 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katy Posted July 10, 2019 Share Posted July 10, 2019 I've filled them halfway up with water and dumped either vinegar or bleach inside and let it sit for an hour. Always smells much better when I dump it out and let it air dry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pen Posted July 10, 2019 Share Posted July 10, 2019 43 minutes ago, Pawz4me said: We have to scrub our outside garbage can a few times a year, especially during the summer. The heat/humidity here combined with what seems to be unavoidable garbage can gunk leads to maggots and odors and all around nastiness if we don't. Our method is to fill it about one-third or so full of water, add in a few large glugs of PineSol or similar cleaner, take an old broom and swish it around. Let it stand awhile, then dump it out. flip it upside down and let it air dry. I've cleaned garbage cans all my life and have never had any degradation of the cans. The flipping it upside down is the hardest part for me. The thing is bigger than I am! We use lots less water with the can lying down on driveway but propped a bit so water doesn’t flow right out. clean with a safe for us cleaner (could be vinegar) ... and Odormute if needed. Then roll it off the prop so it can empty. sprayer hose end if needed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
athena1277 Posted July 10, 2019 Share Posted July 10, 2019 21 minutes ago, Katy said: I've filled them halfway up with water and dumped either vinegar or bleach inside and let it sit for an hour. Always smells much better when I dump it out and let it air dry. This is what I have done when ours god stinky with maggots. The bleach didn’t do any damage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katilac Posted July 10, 2019 Share Posted July 10, 2019 1 hour ago, Pawz4me said: We have to scrub our outside garbage can a few times a year Yes, it needs to be scrubbed out before addressing any lingering odor issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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