The Trash Can Trick My Nana Swore By (and Yep, It Still Works)

Okay, real talk—nothing ruins the vibe of a clean kitchen faster than that sneaky, sour trash can smell. You know the one. It hits you right when you’re feeling smug about wiping the counters down or lighting that fancy candle you’ve been saving. And boom—funky garbage air.

I used to scrub my trash can, buy those overpriced scented liners, even tried tucking dryer sheets under the bag like some TikTok wizard. Nothing really worked worked… until I remembered Nana’s way.

Now, my nana didn’t have Pinterest or plastic everything. But her house always smelled fresh—even with five kids, two dogs, and a husband who swore shoes didn’t need to come off indoors. She had tricks. And this one? It takes two minutes, no elbow grease, and you already have what you need in your kitchen.

Let me show you how she did it.

Why You’ll Love It (besides the fact that it actually works)

• Takes less time than boiling water

• No scrubbing or weird sprays involved

• Uses what you already have — baking soda, vinegar, paper towel

• Works in big or small bins (even diaper pails)

• Actually kills the stink, doesn’t just cover it

You Don’t Need Much — Just This Stuff

Baking Soda – Not just for cookies, friend. This stuff absorbs bad smells like nobody’s business. Nana kept a box in the fridge and the laundry room.

White Vinegar – It stinks at first (not gonna lie), but it breaks down the nasty smell molecules and then fades away like it was never there.

Paper Towel – Just your basic one. No need for triple-ply quilted royal tissue or whatever. This is just to hold the magic mix.

Bonus option: A couple drops of essential oil if you want a soft scent in the air. I’m partial to lemon or lavender, but hey — live your truth.

Nana’s 2-Minute “Trash Freshener”

Here’s the deal:

1. Rip off a paper towel.

2. Sprinkle on about 1/4 cup of baking soda.

3. Drizzle just enough white vinegar to make it bubble a little — don’t soak it.

4. (Optional) Add a drop of essential oil if you’re feelin’ fancy.

5. Drop that fizzy towel in the bottom of your trash can or even right on top of the current trash bag if you’re mid-week.

That’s it. You’re done.

No stirring, no waiting, no “wait… am I doing this right?” vibes. The science takes it from there.

What’s Actually Happening Under the Hood

Remember those volcano experiments in grade school? Same idea. Baking soda is a base. Vinegar is an acid. When they combine, they fizz like mad and release carbon dioxide gas, which helps lift odor particles and neutralizes the stank instead of just spraying perfume over it.

The paper towel keeps it all tidy and contained while letting the mix do its thing. It’s like a tiny cleaning gnome sitting in your trash can, just doing its job without asking for anything.

Quick Tip: Clean Can = Better Results

If your bin already smells like a footlong hoagie from three weeks ago, do yourself a favor and rinse it out first. Warm soapy water, maybe a splash of vinegar. Dry it. Then start fresh with the hack.

It’ll work either way, but a clean can gives this method room to really shine.

Big Can? Tiny Can? Don’t Worry

This works for all shapes and sizes.

• Small bathroom bin? Half the baking soda, just a splash of vinegar.

• Outdoor garbage can that smells like the end of days? Double everything, or even make two fizzy towels and drop ’em both in there.

It’s flexible, just like Nana’s meatloaf recipe. (Which, by the way, I still can’t make quite like hers.)

Other Odor Tricks I’ve Tried (Spoiler: Some Work, Some Don’t)

• Activated Charcoal: Works! Just tuck a little mesh pouch in the bottom of the bin. Lasts weeks.

• Dryer Sheet Under the Liner: Smells pretty, but doesn’t deodorize anything. More of a temporary cover-up.

• Essential Oils on Cotton Balls: Lovely in theory, but those little guys dry out fast unless sealed in.

Nana’s method wins for cost, ease, and actual smell-removal.

Keepin’ It Fresh, Long-Term

A few extra habits go a long way:

• Empty your bin before it gets too full (especially with meat scraps… ew).

• Wipe the lid. Trust me.

• Let your bin air out outside for an hour if it’s been funky lately.

• Keep a few “Nana towels” pre-made in a baggie under the sink. Future-you will thank you.

Not Just for Trash Cans…

I’ve popped these fizzy towels:

• In the diaper pail (life-changing)

• In the laundry room bin

• Under the kitchen sink

• In the garage by the cat litter box

Pretty much anywhere that smells like it’s plotting against you.

Try It. Seriously. Just Try It.

I know it sounds too easy. I thought the same thing. But this little fizzing towel changed my trash game — and I haven’t looked back since.

Let me know if you give it a shot! Or if your grandma had her own version of this—I love hearing those stories. There’s so much wisdom in those simple little tricks, you know?

Alright, that’s enough trash talk from me for one day. Go make your bin smell less like regret and more like nothing at all. ✨

Want a cute printable of this to hang on your fridge or share with a friend? Just holler, I’ve got you.

From my (usually clean-ish) kitchen to yours,