Cleaning Your Council Bin - What's Your Situation

langford28 on 20/02/2020 - 16:06
Last edited 20/02/2020 - 16:07

Hi guys,

For those living in a house, it's the tedious chore of taking out the bin on bin day, and cleaning and dragging it back in after work (the cleaning is the bit that really annoys me but I have to do it to keep it clean and I don't use those garbage bin liners as it's not environmentally friendly). This got me thinking and was curious to see how people in the community generally felt about this.

How do you (or the household) feels about this weekly task - Do you clean your bin?

Thanks for sharing!

Poll Options expired

  • 14
    Yes - I clean it AND love doing it
  • 19
    Yes - I clean it BUT hate doing it
  • 34
    No - I don't clean it SINCE I use a garbage bin liner
  • 33
    No - I don't clean it BUT would like it cleaned
  • 99
    No - I don't clean it AND don't care if it's dirty
Home & Garden

Comments

  • John Kimble on 20/02/2020 - 16:10
    +29

    Only give it a bit of a rinse with the hose (not a full clean with soap and scrubbing) when it gets too stinky…which wouldn't be more than once a month or couple of months…

    • Slippery Fish on 20/02/2020 - 16:45

      Slice of bread soaked in vinegar.

  • Hybroid on 20/02/2020 - 16:11
    +31

    Didn't think first world problems on this site could ascend any higher… Don't you bag up your rubbish rather than lining the bin itself? So you'd have a bunch of smaller bin bags of rubbish inside. You can get ecofriendlier bags if that's a concern.

    • LFO on 21/02/2020 - 23:29

      Don't you bag up your rubbish rather than lining the bin itself?

      Bags leak. Badly.

      Bottom ones burst and leak. Badly.

      Third world weekly rubbish collection has its problems. Daily collection doesn't.

      • Diggins on 27/02/2020 - 14:18

        buy a better bag liner. the ones from costco are pretty good

  • ascorbic on 20/02/2020 - 16:11
    +2

    My council prohibits general waste which isn't in bags so we use bin liners.

    • Peter Enis on 20/02/2020 - 16:57
      +2

      Wouldn't a lot of bags burst open as soon as they are dumped into the truck though? So what's the point?

      • ascorbic on 20/02/2020 - 17:01
        +4

        Dunno, we just follow the rules so we don't get a fine. Interestingly, the council's own bins in parks aren't lined.

      • apsilon on 20/02/2020 - 18:47
        +3

        Rule maker must be a Coles/Woolies shareholder trying to drive up the sale of bin bags to help the profit.

      • Sweetnsour on 21/02/2020 - 12:53
        +2

        It would save rubbish from flying out of the bin as it gets tipped over into truck. I see so much rubbish fall out onto street especially bits of paper, styrofoam, small pieces of packaging

  • Ryanek on 20/02/2020 - 16:12
    +6

    First World problem.

  • StonedWizard on 20/02/2020 - 16:13
    +19

    I take it to the kerb and have the rubbish removed.

    Occasionally it rains and gets some water in it.

    • [Deactivated] on 20/02/2020 - 16:30
      +12

      Pro tip - you know those lead pieces they use to balance a wheel? Plenty available in the refuse of your local tyre shop.

      Stick 30-40g of weights to the lid furthest from the pivot point and they stay shut in all but the strongest gusts of wind. Does not affect emptying.

      • lette on 21/02/2020 - 10:22

        Sorry to butt in…you mention lead weights in refuse at tyre shops? Does that mean free lead weights? At tyre shops like Beaurepairs? Do you just go in and ask? Do you have to buy anything?
        Sorry if I sound ignorant. I don't drive but do need lead weights for the yatch.

        • [Deactivated] on 21/02/2020 - 10:48
          +1

          It is up to them but the ones they pull of the wheels to rebalance, they "throw away" (probably melt and cast into fishing weights).

          A 30g fishing weight is a dollar so that should give you a rough idea as to what it is worth… practically zilch.

          I've never been to a tyre shop that reuses the weights as it is more trouble cleaning it up to reapply adhesive than it is worth.

          TLDR, I know.

          • lette on 21/02/2020 - 16:05

            @[Deactivated]: Thanks I'll wander into one over the weekend and ask. There's a whole strip of different ones on the main road nearby.

      • Euphemistic on 28/02/2020 - 06:57

        I prefer my bins to stay open after emptying. Allows them to dry out (except when it rains). Moisture breeds stench.

  • mick123 on 20/02/2020 - 16:16
    +3

    Just looking at the top forum topics on the right hand side of my screen here.

    Topics on:

    How to, and whether to, clean your bin.

    How the deadly corona virus outbreak is affecting my computer parts?

    I ordered something from Tobydeals (apparently a company in HK) 12 days ago, where is my package? I dont want to ask them, please tell me Ozbargain peasants..

    What is up with these people…

    • Fergy1987 on 20/02/2020 - 16:43
      +3

      Im starting to think WE are the problem for reading them and providing answers :P

  • tsunamisurfer on 20/02/2020 - 16:18
    +2

    I have an old broom and half priced Morning Fresh.

    Wheel the bin to the front lawn, spray it and apply Detergent on the lid, handles and inside, use the broom to brush the insides and bottom of the bin.

    Rinse with water once more, pour water onto lawn, very little water is wasted.

    It's a 5 mins job.

    In a Perth Summer the bin absolutely stinks at the end of a Bin Week and I BAG everything.

    Don't know how you can just have yours in a bin unwrapped, it will be crawling with maggots and other unmentionables.

    • NatoTomato on 20/02/2020 - 16:23

      Hol up. So do you have those massive black bin liners in your outdoor garbage bin, and then you chuck your bin bags from your inside bin into the garbage bin?

    • Porker on 20/02/2020 - 16:46

      Morning Fresh is the good stuff - I guess you either love your bin or want to use the good stuff so that the cleaning process takes minimal time.

    • s1998 on 21/02/2020 - 14:45
      +1

      That sounds like too much work.

      I just don't put any food or poo in the bin.

      Bones get frozen and only go out on bin collection day.

  • [Deactivated] on 20/02/2020 - 16:27
    +3

    I don't love doing it. (Who loves cleaning bins?)

    Just hose it down and spray with 1:10 whiteking and water. Hose it down again. Done.

    If you bag your waste properly and do not pour liquids in your bags, you should only have to clean it maybe once a year.

  • Seraphin7 on 20/02/2020 - 16:29
    +13

    I've been in my place for coming up on 13 years. Got new bins when I moved in. They haven't been washed since, other than what Mother Nature may have taken care of.

  • Bargain80 on 20/02/2020 - 16:37
    +1

    I paid someone to wash it once a month.
    Only $9 each.

    • GG57 on 20/02/2020 - 16:40
      +6

      $9/month?
      And you call yourself 'Bargain80'?

  • Archi on 20/02/2020 - 16:59
    +2

    most of the rubbish is bagged so not much leaks or is dirty. recycle is clean because it is all paper and plastic is rinsed

    if any extra smelly rubbish like seafood, and take away food i'll bag it and take it to local council bin on my way to work or next shopping trip. if I have room in the freezer i'll freeze the rubbish and throw it out on the morning rubbish is collected..

    i'll rinse the bin maybe once a month

  • Jules85 on 20/02/2020 - 17:15
    +5

    I bag my rubbish and do not clean my bin. Of all the things in life to worry about, cleaning a bin which stays outside and is filled with rubbish is verrrry low on the list.

  • FSTB on 20/02/2020 - 17:26
    +2

    It's a bin. It's not supposed to smell nice and I couldn't care less about how it smells.

  • c64 on 20/02/2020 - 17:27
    +1

    i've never cleaned a wheelie bin in my life i think

    just leave the lid open during a thunderstorm :)

  • Hellfire on 20/02/2020 - 17:34

    No option for No - I don't clean it, no bin liner and not dirty?

    Compost gets most organics except meat which is bagged and frozen.

  • kevsta on 20/02/2020 - 17:35
    +1

    Throw your rubbish in your neighbour's bin really late at night. That way you don't have to clean or wheel your own bin to the kerb. :)

  • Davo1111 on 20/02/2020 - 17:39

    when it really really stinks, i'll turn it upside down and spray the pressure hose in there (during the car wash)

    • havebeerbelywillsumo on 20/02/2020 - 18:09
      +1

      That's me (excluding car wash bit)…..and it's usually motivated by wife who's complaining about smell. Me - it's a bin who cares!

  • Muzeeb on 20/02/2020 - 18:17
    +3

    I use any excuse to fire up the pressure washer.

  • mickyJ on 20/02/2020 - 18:27

    Thanks ozbargin nearly forgot it was bin night! :)

  • Godric on 20/02/2020 - 18:33

    I have neighbors that put big bin liners in theirs

  • chumlee on 20/02/2020 - 20:49

    You need this. 1/2 price too

    https://www.woolworths.com.au/shop/productdetails/729687/bin…

  • Smulder on 20/02/2020 - 21:02

    We moved into our house 9 years ago. I think I have washed the bin twice in that time.

  • PR0r on 20/02/2020 - 21:49
    +2

    ill wash it once the maggots come, until then she can stink

  • daanish on 21/02/2020 - 08:09

    All my general waste is bagged in the house and we don't use a wheelie bin liner. I don't have council bins since moving into an apartment but I used to give them a going over with the pressure washer about once a month or so.

  • original15 on 21/02/2020 - 08:44

    Use garbage bags so garbage bin is full of smaller bags
    Use pressure cleaner to wash bin if ever dirty. Simple

  • smhto on 21/02/2020 - 09:24

    Drill a few holes (10mm) at the bottom of the bin, helps drainage of any accumulated liquid crap. Also, if you do rinse the bin water drains easily.

    • Archi on 21/02/2020 - 09:43
      +2

      also helps small roaches, and ants to get easy access to the rubbish

    • gyrex on 21/02/2020 - 20:58

      There's nothing quite like the smell of accumulated 'bin juice' dripping all over the garage floor.

      • Archi on 24/02/2020 - 10:18
        +1

        you keep your bins inside ?

  • skillet on 21/02/2020 - 09:28

    Get off your lazy bottom and pickup a cheap hard bristle broom from the supermarket. Spray some water in the bin, squirt some dish detergent in or Dettol if you prefer hospital grade. Walk away go play some games or rest your heavy bottom.

    Come back after 10 mins give it a light brush on the 4 vertical surface and 1 horizontal. Lay it on the ground makes it easier then give the lid a good scrub too. Empty the bubbly party mix then rinse once, put away hose and broom. Return the bin to nearest spot so you don't have to walk too far to deposit rubbish.

    Cleaning the bin is easiest among all household chores don't be lazy.

  • Kevinrsteele on 21/02/2020 - 10:16
    +2

    If you have a sprinkler place the upturned bin over the sprinkler and turn the water on for 5 mins. Do this on your lawn to save the water.

    • Archi on 24/02/2020 - 10:19

      I like this idea… but not for 5 minutes maybe 1 tops

  • Chandler on 21/02/2020 - 10:54
    +1

    Missing poll option - Yes - I pay someone else to clean it.

    Should I turn in my OzBargain badge?

  • ozbjunkie on 21/02/2020 - 11:29

    Weekly task? Yearly, not even.

  • LittleBirdy on 21/02/2020 - 12:25
    +1

    This is the reason I had children. They do come in useful for some things.

  • clarebear on 21/02/2020 - 14:18

    We pay someone to clean it. With 2 little kids in nappies we don’t want to go anywhere near the bins after a couple days.

    The owner of the business is a disabled guy with down syndrome, and he must do pretty well. I’ve seen him driving around during the week in different areas. Our neighbours use the same company so he cleans 4 bins in 1 stop. I think its well worth the money!

  • Birdbrain on 21/02/2020 - 15:15

    Our bin doesn't get too dirty but I use a bit of dish soap and the high pressure hose to clean it out when it needs it… maybe once every couple of months??

    Our problem is our neighbours stealing our clean bin and swapping it for their grimy, cat litter encrusted bin that they've never cleaned… Oh, and people walking past after bins are emptied pitting their dirty McDonald's in the bin and it getting grimy from that.

  • AS2035 on 24/02/2020 - 18:25

    I live in. a building where cleaners clean them weekly. Prior to new cleaners taking the job we did it ourselves.

  • Euphemistic on 24/02/2020 - 19:28

    I’ve never cleaned a bin, nor have my parents. It’s probably been at least 30years of using the wheelie bins. Don’t see any need to clean them.

    The greenwaste bin smells a bit at first, but soon goes away. I drilled a few 25mm holes up the top to allow it to dry quicker which seems to help.

  • Inzo on 27/02/2020 - 15:55

    More importantly, what about cleaning your Otto bin?
    Mine stinks from when you put food waste etc out at the start of the week, even when it's got garbage that was bagged internally in the house, and the bags placed in the Otto.

    • Archi on 27/02/2020 - 16:05

      I think the OP is referring to the Otto bin.

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