While it might seem like a great idea to store your trash can in a cabinet under the sink or in your pantry, there are a few reasons you might want to give it a second thought.

The space available under your sink is often shared with other items, so finding a bin that's small enough to fit there and has a capacity large enough can be difficult.

Trash cans can become a breeding ground for mold and mildew if kept in the damp area under the sink. They can also attract bugs and other creatures if kept in the pantry.

Small cramped spaces that don't get adequate airflow mean an abundance of stink, and that smell can easily permeate into surrounding items and attract critters and creepy crawlies.

Cabinets, pantry, and the space under the sink should store a myriad of more appropriate and essential items. Trash cans are just sacrificing valuable storage space.

If you keep your trash can in your cabinets or pantry, you're bound to forget about it every so often, but keeping it out in the open will alert you whenever it has to be emptied.