Stop bins smelling in hot weather by sprinkling 1 kitchen item inside

Stop bins smelling in hot weather by sprinkling 1 kitchen item inside As the UK heatwave continues, there's a simple bin cleaning method you can use to stop them from smelling. You only need to sprinkle a common kitchen item inside While most of us relish the thought of basking in glorious sunshine, smelly bins are something nobody wants to deal with. And, with temperatures set to soar across the UK this week, it's a problem that could well get worse. As the heatwave threatens to send the mercury rocketing, all manner of unpleasant odours may take hold, but there's a straightforward cleaning hack that can keep your bins smelling fresh, and it's far simpler than you'd imagine. You'll only need one common kitchen item to get the job done effectively. This isn't the only useful advice of its kind to have surfaced recently, either. Previously, handy tips were shared on how to tackle the age-old problem of foul-smelling bins. A video was shared on TikTok by Lily, known as Clean with Lily, who insisted that one everyday household item can make a world of difference. While she also incorporates a few additional products to keep things smelling pleasant, there's one crucial step to preventing odours from spiralling out of control. Lily said: "I thought I'd do a quick video on how I manage to get my bins to never smell. Once a week I like to give it a deep clean. How I do that is by pouring water in it, and adding a splash of Zoflora." She added: "Then I scrub my life away. I make sure to dry it thoroughly afterwards and then I throw in some kitchen roll and a splash of Zoflora again. Then I use bicarbonate of soda in the black bag." Since the video was posted online, it has racked up hundreds of views, with many viewers admitting the trick "works so well". It's particularly worth bearing in mind during spells of scorching weather, as it can be used in both indoor and outdoor bins. Why does it work? What many people don't realise is that sprinkling bicarbonate of soda into your bin is a brilliant way to eliminate unpleasant odours. This is because most foul smells are acidic, and the alkaline baking soda reacts with them to chemically neutralise the scent, rather than simply masking it with fragrance. Moisture is a breeding ground for bacteria. It's therefore vital to ensure your bin is completely dry after washing, and to place absorbent paper at the bottom. What you need to do To put this hack into practice, there are a handful of steps to follow. Add a generous layer or a few tablespoons of baking soda directly to the base of your empty bin before inserting a fresh liner. Next, place a few sheets of newspaper or kitchen roll beneath the bag to soak up any leaky spills. From there, sprinkle the bicarb on top of the paper. For a pleasantly fresh scent, mix a few drops of an essential oil (like lemon, tea tree or eucalyptus) into the baking soda before sprinkling it in. It's a wonderfully simple way to get the job done. There's also another option worth trying. You can blend bicarb with a few drops of essential oil or dried citrus peel and tie it inside an old sock, muslin cloth or fabric pouch. Just drop this into the bottom of the bin. It will also help stop any nasty odours from building up.