Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
I Finally Found Deodorizers That Actually Kill Trash Can Smell Overnight
42
items That hot garbage wave that hits you every time you open the lid, especially in summer. If your kitchen smells like something crawled under the sink and you have tried baking soda, candles, and holding your breath, this is the lineup that actually wor...
Sections
6
Trash Can Deodorizer Pods and Stickers
Kitchen Trash Cans That Seal In Odor
Trash Bags That Lock In Smell
Sprays and Cleaners for the Trash Can Itself
Odor Absorbers for Near the Trash Area
Compost and Food Scrap Solutions That Cut Trash Smell
Trash Can Deodorizer Pods and Stickers
Started sticking these to the underside of my lid after fish taco night almost made me move out of my own apartment. Now I forget the trash is even there.
Stick one to the inside of your lid and forget about it for 30 days. Went from gagging every morning to zero smell, even with shrimp shells sitting in there overnight.
ARM and HAMMER, Trash and Dumpster Deodorizer Can
Grab these if you hate strong perfume smells covering up garbage. They neutralize odor instead of masking it. Perfect for anyone with a sensitive nose or a small kitchen where smells travel fast.
Trash Can Deodorizer Odor Eliminator Stickers
Keep one of these near the trash if pods aren't your thing. My roommate used to complain about the kitchen every single day. Dropped this in and the complaints stopped within a week.
Citrus Magic Odor Absorbing Solid Air Freshener
Toss one in the bottom of the can under the bag. Works quietly for about a month. Found these after my dog got into some chicken bones and the smell lingered for days, even after cleaning.
Fresh Wave
Use this in the trash can, not just the fridge. Sounds weird but hear me out. Sprinkle some in the bottom before putting a new bag in. Cheap and surprisingly effective for anyone on a tight budget.
ARM & HAMMER, Fridge-n-Freezer Odor Absorber
Hang one near your trash area if you want zero chemicals involved. Reactivate it in the sun once a month and it lasts two years. Wish I had bought this before spending money on a dozen sprays that did nothing.
Moso Natural Air Purifying Bag, 200g Charcoal Odor
Spray the inside of the can after you take the bag out. Originally bought it for pet smells but it demolishes trash odors too. One bottle lasted me five months of weekly use.
Angry Orange, Pet Odor Eliminator, 24 oz, Citrus Deodorizer
Kitchen Trash Cans That Seal In Odor
Realized half the problem was my old trash can with no seal. Switched to one with a proper lid and it was like putting a cork in a bottle of stink.
Swap to this if your current can has a loose lid that lets smell escape all day. The seal on this thing is tight. Paid more than I wanted but my kitchen stopped smelling like a dumpster, so worth every dollar.
simplehuman, Kitchen Trash Can, 11.8 Gallon
Get this if you want something solid without dropping a hundred bucks. The lid closes firmly and the foot pedal still works after a year of daily stomping. Great for families who open the trash 50 times a day.
Rubbermaid 13 Gallon Step-On Kitchen Trash Can with Lid
Hands-free opening means you never touch the lid, which means less smell escaping from holding it open. Bought it when I was pregnant and couldn't handle bending over a smelly trash can. Still love it two years later.
iTouchless 13 Gallon Sensor Kitchen Trash Can
Pair this with a deodorizer pod and your kitchen smells like nothing. The stainless steel doesn't absorb odors the way plastic does. Learned that lesson after years of scrubbing a plastic bin that still reeked.
Glad Kitchen Trash Can, 12 Gallon Slim Step, Stainless Steel
Try this if your current can is the open-top style that basically broadcasts garbage smell to your entire apartment. The motion sensor lid closes fast and keeps everything sealed between uses.
Nine Stars Automatic Kitchen Trash Can
Budget-friendly and the lid actually stays shut. Picked this up for my garage and it handled summer heat without turning into a biohazard. Solid pick for anyone who needs a second can without spending much.
Hefty Kitchen Trash Can, 13.3 Gallon Plastic Touch Top
Keep a small sealed can like this on the counter for food scraps so they never sit in the big bin long. Changed my whole routine. Especially helpful if you cook a lot and hate walking to the garage mid-recipe.
Better Homes & Gardens Bathroom Step Trash Can
Trash Bags That Lock In Smell
Switched from cheap generic bags to ones with actual odor blocking and it made a bigger difference than I expected. The bag itself was half the problem all along.
Use these if you want the bag itself fighting odor. The Clorox lining actually does something. Noticed a difference the first week, especially with leftovers and takeout containers sitting overnight.
Glad ForceFlex MaxStrength Tall Kitchen Trash Bags
Grab these for a light lavender scent that doesn't smell fake. My mom swears by them and after trying one box I get it. They don't rip easily either, which is a bonus when you overstuff them like I do.
Hefty Ultra Strong 13 Gallon Trash Bags
For anyone who likes Febreze but doesn't want to spray the house constantly. The scent is baked into the bag so it works passively. Stock up before summer because hot weather plus garbage is a nightmare without these.
Glad ForceFlex 13-Gallon Drawstring Tall Kitchen Trash
Perfect for the big outdoor bin that smells like death every July. These handled a full week of Texas summer heat without making me dry heave when I opened the lid on trash day.
Hefty Ultra Strong 30 Gallon Trash Bags
Try these if you want odor control without paying brand-name prices. Honestly surprised how well they hold up. Bought them once as a backup and never went back to the expensive ones for everyday use.
Great Value Tall Kitchen Trash Bags, 13 gal
These are thicker than the regular ForceFlex, so they handle heavy stuff without leaking. Switched after a bag broke and leaked chicken juice all over my floor. That was the last time.
Glad, Trash Bags, ForceFlex MaxStrength, 13 Gal
Snag a box if you want your trash area to smell weirdly pleasant. My partner thought I bought a new candle. Nope, just the trash bag. Works well in smaller kitchens where the can is close to the dining area.
Hefty, Trash Bags, 13 Gallon, Tall Kitchen, Ultra Strong
Sprays and Cleaners for the Trash Can Itself
Even with pods and good bags, the actual can gets funky over time. Started deep cleaning mine once a month and the baseline smell dropped to zero.
Spray the inside walls of the can after you pull the bag out on trash day. Takes 30 seconds and kills whatever bacteria is causing that lingering funk. Should have been doing this years ago.
Clorox Clean-Up Multi-Surface Cleaner + Bleach Spray
Use this between bag changes if you don't have time for a full scrub. Quick spray, let it dry, drop in a new bag. The crisp linen scent is subtle enough that it doesn't clash with cooking smells.
Lysol Disinfectant Spray, Crisp Linen Scent (19 oz., 3 pk.)
Wipe down the outside and rim of your can with this once a week. Drips and splashes build up around the edges and that is where a lot of mystery smell comes from. Figured this out embarrassingly late.
Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Multi-Surface Everyday Cleaner
Pour a little in the bottom of the can if something leaked through the bag. The enzymes break down the organic gunk that regular cleaners just cover up. Found this after a milk carton disaster that haunted me for a week.
Customer reviews for ANGRY ORANGE Pet Odor
Dilute some in warm water and pour it in the empty can, let it sit for ten minutes, dump and dry. Costs almost nothing and the lavender smell lasts for days. Great for anyone who wants a cheap deep clean.
Fabuloso, Multi-Purpose Cleaner, 56 fl oz, Lavender Scent
Dissolve a scoop in hot water and let it soak in your trash can outside. Pulls out stains and smells that sprays can't reach. Do this once a month in summer and your can will never build up that permanent stink.
OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover Powder
Spray this after cleaning for a protective layer that keeps bacteria from building up for 24 hours. Helps if you throw away a lot of meat packaging or dairy. One less thing to worry about between cleanings.
Microban 24 Hour Disinfectant Sanitizing Spray, Fresh Scent
Odor Absorbers for Near the Trash Area
Sometimes the smell escapes before you can close the lid. Keeping absorbers nearby catches what drifts out, especially in open-concept kitchens where the smell travels straight to the couch.
Clip one behind your trash can where nobody sees it. Catches drifting odors before they reach the living room. My apartment is basically one big room so this was a lifesaver for keeping the couch area smelling normal.
Febreze Small Spaces Air Freshener (4 pk.) Linen & Sky
Keep a can under the sink for emergencies. One short spray neutralizes even the worst post-cooking smells. Just don't overdo it because a little goes a long way. Learned that after fogging my entire kitchen.
OZIUM Air Sanitizer Spray, Original Scent, 8 oz Can
Set one on the counter near the trash. Cheap, lasts a month, and the pear lavender scent is actually nice. Bought three and put them around the kitchen. Visitors started complimenting how my place smells.
Renuzit Natural Elements Gel Air Freshener
Plug one in near the trash area and let it run on low. Constant light scent that covers the gap between bag changes. Works especially well for people who cook a lot of fish or onion-heavy meals.
Glade PlugIns Scented Oil 5 Refills, Air Freshener
Toss one behind the trash can and one under the sink. No scent, no chemicals, just absorbs odor quietly. Recharge in the sun monthly. Perfect for anyone with kids or pets who wants to avoid spraying stuff constantly.
4 Pack Bamboo Charcoal Air Purifier Bags 200 Grams Each
Quick burst of this after taking out the trash resets the whole kitchen. Not a permanent fix but great for right before guests come over. Kept a can in the pantry for exactly those panic-clean moments.
Febreze AIR, Linen and Sky, 8.8 oz Aerosol Spray
Drop one in the bottom of the trash can and one in the cabinet under the sink. They absorb odor for up to 60 days and cost almost nothing. Wish someone had told me about these when I moved into my first apartment.
(2 pack) Arm & Hammer Odor Busterz Balls
Compost and Food Scrap Solutions That Cut Trash Smell
Realized most of my trash smell came from food scraps rotting in the bag for days. Separating food waste and handling it differently cut the odor problem by about 80 percent.
Keep this on the counter for food scraps instead of tossing them in the main trash. Empty it daily or every other day. My regular trash stopped smelling almost immediately because the worst offenders were no longer in there.
OXO Good Grips Easy-Clean Compost Bin - Charcoal
Line your countertop compost bin with these so cleanup is just lifting the bag out. They break down on their own so no guilt about plastic. Great for anyone trying to reduce waste and reduce stink at the same time.
BioBag, Food Waste Bags, 3 Gallon, Compostable, Green
Grab this one if you want a compost bin with actual charcoal filters in the lid. Keeps food scrap smell locked in until you empty it. My partner was skeptical but admitted the kitchen smelled way better within a day.
Full Circle Odor-Free Kitchen Compost Bin, Breeze
Use these in a small bin specifically for food waste. Separating wet garbage from dry garbage was the single biggest thing that reduced my trash can smell. Should have started doing this years ago.
Glad 2.6-Gallon Small Kitchen Compost Bags
Compact enough to sit next to the sink without being annoying. The ventilated design actually reduces moisture buildup which slows down how fast scraps start smelling. Helpful for anyone in a small kitchen with limited counter space.
Joseph Joseph Intelligent Waste Stack 4
Swap your regular small bags for these in your food scrap bin. They hold up better than you would expect for a compostable bag. No leaks after a week of testing with coffee grounds, fruit peels, and leftover rice.
EcoSafe Compostable 13-Gallon Garbage Bags
Try this stainless steel option if you want something that looks decent on the counter. The charcoal filter in the lid actually works, not just marketing. Kept banana peels in it for three days and opened it to zero smell. Seriously impressed.
OGGI 1 Gallon Indoor Countertop Compost Bin