3 Everyday Items That Double As Emergency Trash Can Liners

Ever find yourself needing a trash can liner but coming up empty? It happens more often than we'd like to admit, since this item usually isn't at the top of the shopping list. Regardless of whether you use the quick trash can fix that will instantly upgrade your bathroom's look or not, having something lining your trash can is better than nothing. In those unexpected moments, when the garbage is piling up and the liners have vanished, a little resourcefulness can go a long way.

If you find yourself in a pinch, you can use old grocery bags, newspaper, or even reusable cloth bags to quickly and effectively line your trash cans until your next shopping trip. These readily available alternatives not only help contain waste but also prevent sticky messes and lingering odors from accumulating on the sides and bottom of your bin. While they might not be as perfectly fitted or durable as standard liners, they certainly do the trick in a bind and keep things tidy.

Instead of throwing away those plastic or paper grocery bags after you go shopping, save them and reuse them in your trash can. Their size and shape often make them a surprisingly good fit for smaller waste bins, especially in bathrooms or offices. Plus, repurposing these bags is a small but meaningful way to reduce plastic waste and get a little extra life out of something you already have. If you're tight on storage space, there's a must-try hack for storing plastic shopping bags to keep them neat and accessible.

What's nice about this trick is that you can quickly stockpile a decent supply of these otherwise discarded bags, maximizing your resources. Not only that, but many people choose to skip the fancy garbage can liners altogether and only use these bags to line their cans, since it's a cost-effective and sustainable habit. One word of advice, though — be sure to inspect these before using them, since a bag with a large hole or tear won't be very useful.

It may be an unconventional idea, but you can use newspaper to line your trash can if you've run out of liners. Simply lay a few sheets flat to cover the bottom and sides, or get a bit crafty and fold them into a more fitted shape. This solution is best for catching dry waste — since newspaper isn't overly absorbent, it's best to avoid using it for wet or messy garbage that could soak through and create a bigger problem. However, for things like paper scraps, wrappers, or dry food packaging, it works surprisingly well to keep your bin clean.

If you have old newspapers piling up, this is a fantastic way to give them a useful second life before recycling. It's a resourceful and eco-friendly approach for those moments when you find yourself without a traditional trash bag. When your trash can is full, simply fold the top edges of the newspaper inward to create a makeshift seal, then carefully transfer the bundle to your main trash can.

If you don't have any trash can liners, you could use cloth bags. A cloth tote bag or reusable shopping bag makes a durable alternative if you have a medium-sized trash can or if you are discarding heavier non-liquid waste items. Cloth bags are made of a heavier material, so they can hold more weight than plastic grocery bags or newspaper, and they can be emptied out and washed for reuse. Just be mindful of using them for really wet or messy trash so you do not end up with stains or having to wash them more often.

You can keep reusable grocery bags clean with one household ingredient — hydrogen peroxide. Simply spray the inside of the bag with hydrogen peroxide and let it sit for a few minutes before wiping it down with a clean cloth. This helps to disinfect the bag and eliminate any lingering odors, ensuring that it remains a hygienic option for both groceries and, in a pinch, a trash can liner. Just be sure the bag is completely dry before using it to line your trash can, especially if you're disposing of any wet waste — otherwise, you risk the dampness seeping through the fabric and making your trash can itself dirty or smelly.