How to Clean and Deodorise a Bin with Soda Crystals

Hot water and Soda Crystals cut through the sticky grime in kitchen bins and wheelie bins, and a sprinkle of Bicarbonate of Soda keeps them fresh afterwards.

Takes 20 minutes, plus drying

What you’ll need

2 tbsp Soda Crystals per bucket
A bucket of hot water (about 5 litres)
2–3 tbsp Bicarbonate of Soda
A long-handled brush
Rubber gloves

Method

Empty the bin and knock out any loose bits.
Dissolve 2 tbsp Soda Crystals in a bucket of hot water. For a wheelie bin, make two buckets.
Pour it into the bin and scrub the inside, the rim and the lid with the brush.
Leave for 10 minutes, then scrub again, tip out and rinse with clean water.
Leave the bin upside down or in the sun until completely dry.
Sprinkle 2–3 tbsp Bicarbonate of Soda into the bottom of the dry bin before putting in a new bag.

Use for

Kitchen bins, pedal bins, recycling boxes, food caddies and outdoor wheelie bins.

Why it works

Bin grime is mostly old food fat and sticky residue. Soda Crystals are strongly alkaline, so they break down the fat and loosen the residue for the brush.

Bicarbonate of Soda is gentler and mildly alkaline. Sitting in the bottom of a dry bin, it neutralises acidic food smells and soaks up drips.

The science: Sodium carbonate (PubChem, NIH) →

What not to clean with Soda Crystals

Aluminium bins: Soda Crystals darken aluminium. Use Castile Soap in hot water instead.

Painted or coated finishes: Strong alkaline solutions can dull paint. Test a small spot first, and rinse well.

Plants and lawn: Pour the dirty water down an outside drain, not on your garden.

Storage and Shelf-Life

Keep Soda Crystals and Bicarbonate of Soda sealed in a cool, dry place, out of reach of children and pets.

Safety Precautions

Wear rubber gloves: Soda Crystals can irritate skin and eyes.

B&M Pro-Tip 1:

Clean the bin on bin day, when it’s empty anyway. In summer, every 2–4 weeks keeps flies and smells away.

B&M Pro-Tip 2:

Kitchen drain smelly too? Try our Drain Freshener with Oxygen Bleach.

Quick questions

How often should I clean my bin?
Every month, or every 2–4 weeks in summer.

Can I add Essential Oils?
Yes, a few drops on the Bicarbonate of Soda in the bottom of the dry bin.

Is it safe for a stainless steel kitchen bin?
Yes. Rinse well and dry with a cloth to avoid water marks.

Try this next: Drain Freshener: Oxygen Bleach →