The Kitchen Trash Can Hack That Can Help You Form Better Cleaning Habits

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The kitchen is one of the busiest areas in the house, which is why it often becomes a mess so quickly. If one of your goals for the year is to keep it tidier, you might try implementing a cleaning schedule or following some of the tips on how to best clean your kitchen. If those don't work, try a simpler hack: switching to a smaller trash can. Although it seems counterintuitive, a smaller kitchen trash can encourages clean habits by putting you in a routine of emptying the garbage more often, while simultaneously reducing bad smells and making you more aware of your waste output.

The average kitchen trash can size ranges from about 12 to 16 gallons, holding a large amount of garbage. If you want to see if switching to a smaller trash helps, grab a bathroom trash can, which usually ranges from 2 to 6 gallons, and try it out for a week. You might think that's far too small for a kitchen, but the average person only generates about 3 gallons of waste daily. As an added bonus, the small size can help you use up your plastic bag stash, saving you from having to buy trash bags. If you share a kitchen space with others and the bathroom trash can gets full before the day is even over, consider getting an 8-gallon trash can.

There's no getting around it: If you have a smaller trash can, you'll have to empty it more often. While this might seem annoying at first, it actually makes the job easier. Smaller loads of garbage are lighter, less stinky, and haven't been sitting long enough to create bad odors or leaks. More frequent trash changes can also mean fewer pests in the house, since there won't be rotting food constantly attracting them. Plus, wiping down a small garbage can is more convenient than a standard-sized one. Simply rinse it out and dry it, or wipe it down with a disinfecting cloth from time to time.

You might already have some of the best weekly cleaning habits for a cleaner kitchen in place, but emptying your small trash bin works best as a daily task. For example, when you empty the dishwasher at night, take out the trash, too. Starting each morning with a clean kitchen and an empty garbage can sets the tone for the day. Instead of having to stop mid-cook or in the middle of packing lunches to switch out an overflowing garbage bin, it will be clear and ready for use.

Even if you try this hack for a week and discover that your household produces too much trash to make it practical, it can still have a positive effect. It can make you more aware of the amount of waste your household generates and possibly inspire you to get creative, identifying kitchen items you can reuse in your home to reduce waste or cut down on the trash you bring inside.