How to Clean Trash Bins with Sodium Percarbonate

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Trash bins can easily trap bad smells, organic residues, and stains. Even if you empty them often, moisture and food waste liquids may still leave a persistent odour behind.
For this reason, regular cleaning is essential. It helps keep the kitchen and home areas cleaner, fresher, and more pleasant.
Below you will find the most common DIY methods, along with a practical guide on using sodium percarbonate. This solution is especially useful when the smell from your food waste bin keeps coming back.

Key takeaways from this article

• Trash bins develop odours mainly because of organic residues and trapped moisture.
• Popular DIY solutions include baking soda and white vinegar, which work well on mild smells.
• When dissolved in water, sodium percarbonate releases oxygen, helping remove organic residues and stubborn odours.
• It is ideal for routine maintenance of food waste bins and household containers.
• It is not a strong degreaser. For heavy buildup, a dedicated degreasing product works better.

Why trash bins develop bad smells

The issue usually comes from a mix of factors:

• damp organic residues, especially in food waste bins
• natural fermentation of food scraps
• liquid buildup at the bottom and along the walls
• long contact with plastic, which may absorb odours over time

Even after you empty the bin, small traces can remain. As a result, smells often return quickly, especially in summer or in poorly ventilated areas.

The most common DIY methods for cleaning trash bins

Baking soda

Baking soda is often used to absorb and reduce odours.

You can use it like this:

1. sprinkle a small amount on the dry bottom
2. leave it for a few hours
3. rinse and dry

It helps neutralise light odours. However, it usually is not enough when organic residues stick to the surface or when smells become persistent.

White vinegar

White vinegar is one of the most common household remedies for cleaning bins, especially when you want to reduce odours.

A simple method is:

1. dilute it with warm water
2. spread it over the inner surfaces
3. leave it to work
4. rinse thoroughly

It can work well for basic maintenance. Still, when dirt is more noticeable, a stronger cleaning step may be necessary.

Baking soda and vinegar together

Combining baking soda and vinegar creates an effervescent reaction. This may help loosen light surface residues.

It works best when:

• dirt is recent
• there is no layered buildup
• the smell is moderate

This is useful for quick cleaning. However, it does not always solve the problem when food waste bins continue to smell even after washing.

Sodium percarbonate: why it works well for trash bins

When sodium percarbonate dissolves in water, it releases oxygen. This action helps loosen organic dirt and supports odour reduction.

It is particularly useful when:

• the food waste bin smells even after rinsing
• stains appear on the bottom or walls
• you want deeper cleaning than typical DIY methods

It is not designed for heavy degreasing. However, it is an effective solution for routine cleaning and regular bin maintenance.

How to clean trash bins with sodium percarbonate

Here is a practical step-by-step method:

1. Wear protective gloves and empty the bin completely.
2. Rinse with water to remove visible residues and liquids.
3. Prepare a solution with warm water and sodium percarbonate.
4. Pour the solution into the bin and spread it on the inner walls.
5. Leave it to work for at least 20–30 minutes.
6. Scrub with a sponge or brush, focusing on the bottom.
7. Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
8. Dry well and leave the bin open for a few minutes to air out.

If dirt is heavier or the smell persists, you can extend the contact time before rinsing.

Why choose SEIGENICO

For household bin cleaning, it is important to choose a granular sodium percarbonate powder that dissolves easily in water and contains no unnecessary additives. This way, you get a simple and versatile solution.

SEIGENICO is a water-soluble granular sodium percarbonate powder designed for household cleaning through dilution in water. Its formulation makes it suitable for regular trash bin maintenance, especially when you want to treat organic residues and unpleasant odours.

When to choose a different cleaner

If the bin has heavy grease buildup or stubborn encrustations, you may need a dedicated degreasing detergent.

Sodium percarbonate works best for:

• routine maintenance
• odour reduction
• treating organic residues
• periodic cleaning of compatible household containers

Recommended regular maintenance

To prevent odours from building up and becoming harder to remove:

1. clean the food waste bin at least once a week
2. rinse immediately if liquids leak
3. always dry the bottom after washing
4. avoid stagnant water and organic residue buildup

Regular maintenance improves overall hygiene and reduces the need for more intensive cleaning.

Conclusion

Cleaning trash bins properly helps keep the kitchen more pleasant and prevents stubborn odours from developing. DIY solutions like baking soda and vinegar can work well for light cleaning, while sodium percarbonate offers a more effective option against organic residues and typical food waste bin smells.

If you want a sodium percarbonate product suitable for household use, with good solubility for water dilution, SEIGENICO is a practical solution for periodic cleaning of trash bins and compatible surfaces.

Still have questions?

Marbec technical support can help you choose the right cleaning method and the most suitable products for home maintenance. This way, you can find the most effective solution for your specific situation.
👉 Contact Marbec for qualified technical support.