Keep Funky Kitchen Trash Can Odors At Bay With This One Smart Tip

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The kitchen is where you spend a big chunk of your family life, and that naturally leaves a mark. Behind every kitchen adventure, impromptu gathering, or a quick cup of coffee that happens in this room, some trash is inevitably left behind. But while trash is a normal part of life and evidence of a lived-in kitchen, it's not the most pleasant thing to deal with. Unfortunately, it can make your kitchen smell bad fast, putting a damper on the cozy, inviting atmosphere you want. The good news is that with the right trash management strategy, you can keep the funky odors coming from your trash can at bay. While regularly cleaning and deodorizing your trash can is the most effective way to fight unwanted smells in your kitchen, another smart solution is opting for a two-compartment trash can model.

As opposed to the classic trash can, where all your kitchen waste goes into the same compartment, a dual trash can features two separate compartments within a single unit. The point of this kind of design is to help you separate your trash into different categories for easier management. Apart from helping control the odors coming from your trash, this kind of can offers other benefits as well, such as making your home more eco-friendly by promoting recycling and saving valuable time in the trash separation process.

The key to eradicating funky smells from your kitchen with the help of a dual trash can is using each compartment intentionally. Reserve one side of the bin for organic waste like fruit peels, leftover food, and anything else that decomposes quickly. Rather than waiting to fill your trash can first (as you might be tempted to do with a single-compartment one), owner of Memphis Maids Steve Evans recommends emptying this compartment every day (via Homes and Gardens). Since organic waste tends to produce the strongest smells, this replacement frequency helps you control the odors in your kitchen before they can take over.

Meanwhile, the other compartment should serve as a recycling bin for things like bottles, paper, or cardboard. These items generally don't emit strong odors, so you can let them sit until the compartment fills up or recycling day rolls around. The efficient design of the bin makes it easy to separate your trash at the source, which is a small habit that will make your home smell better than ever.

For best results, look for a dual trash can with features specifically designed to aid odor control. For example, a lid that seals tightly and is easy to use will be your best friend. A well-designed closing mechanism will help make sure you don't accidentally leave the bin open for odors to escape. Similarly, a tight seal helps ensure the odors are always contained within the bin itself, without spreading out to the rest of your kitchen. With a little attention to detail when choosing a dual bin, you can enjoy a fresher-smelling, more eco-friendly kitchen day to day.