5 easy ways you can avoid a smelly wheelie bin this summer

Summer heat can quickly turn wheelie bins into a smelly, sticky mess, especially if your rubbish is only collected every two weeks. Food waste, warm weather and trapped moisture can all contribute to bad smells, leaking residue and unwanted flies.

Giving your bin a proper clean is usually the only way to tackle lingering odours and dirt build-up. To help make the job easier, we've rigorously tested pressure washers and all-purpose cleaning sprays to find the models that clean effectively without wasting water, effort or money.

Below, we explain how to clean a wheelie bin with or without a pressure washer, plus the best cleaning products from our tests and simple tips to help keep smells, grime and flies under control during warmer weather.

Watch: cleaning a wheelie bin

If you don't have time to read our full article, check in with our video for quick tips on removing smells and dirt from your wheelie bin.

1. Blast dirt with a Which? Best Buy pressure washer

At a glance: You can remove dried-on grime, but start on a low setting to avoid dirty water splashing back at you.

A pressure washer can make cleaning a wheelie bin much quicker and less unpleasant, especially if dirt or food residue has dried onto the inside. They're particularly handy for loosening tricky marks around the base of the bin and under the lid, where smells can build up.

Before you start, empty the bin completely and move it to an area with good drainage, as you don't want to end up flooding your lawn with dirty water. It's also worth wearing waterproof gloves and old clothes to protect yourself from splashes.

Turn the bin on its side first and use the spray lance on a low-pressure setting to loosen caked-on deposits. Starting gently helps avoid dirty water spraying back towards you. Then, once loose dirt has been removed, you can gradually increase the pressure to rinse the inside clean. We suggest working from the top of the bin downwards so dirty water drains away more easily.

Don't forget to pay particular attention to corners, lid hinges and around the wheels for a thorough clean.

Of the pressure washers we've tested, these are some of the best overall:

You can join Which? to see our guide to the best pressure washers.

2. Scrub the bin with a long-handled brush

At a glance: You can remove stubborn grime, especially around corners, lids and wheel areas that are harder to clean thoroughly.

If you don't have a pressure washer, a long-handled brush is one of the simplest ways to give your wheelie bin a more thorough clean. It's particularly useful for removing greasy residue and dried-on food waste that can cling to the bottom and sides of the bin.

Start by pouring boiling water into the bottom of your bin and leave it to steam for a few minutes. As well as helping to loosen dirt, the heat will kill off any maggots or larvae that may have taken up residence. Once the water has cooled a little, you can begin scrubbing. Use a long-handled broom or mop to clean inside the bin without having to bend or lean into it. Brushes with stiff bristles tend to work best on sticky residue and compacted dirt.

Pay extra attention to areas that are touched frequently, such as the lid handle and top edge of the bin, as these can quickly become dirty during warmer weather. Wheel arches and corners can also trap debris and leaking food waste over time.

Once you've finished scrubbing, rinse the bin with clean water and leave the lid open for a while so the inside can dry fully. This can help reduce moisture and prevent smells from returning too quickly.

We haven't tested the following brushes, but they may be useful for reaching awkward areas when cleaning a wheelie bin:

3. Remove leftover grime with all-purpose cleaner

At a glance: An all-purpose cleaner can help remove lingering smells, greasy residue and stubborn marks after rinsing your bin.

Even after rinsing and scrubbing, wheelie bins can still be left with unpleasant smells or greasy residue, especially if food waste has leaked or been left sitting in warm weather. Using a detergent or all-purpose cleaner can help lift stains and freshen up both the inside and outside of the bin.

Kitchen cleaning sprays and antibacterial cleaners can work particularly well on greasy marks, sticky patches and food spills around the lid and handles. Washing-up liquid diluted in warm water can also be an effective low-cost option for general cleaning.

Spray the cleaner directly onto marks and leave it to work for a few minutes before wiping or rinsing away. For tougher residue, you may need to scrub the area with a cloth, sponge or brush before rinsing thoroughly with clean water.

A word of caution: try not to mix different cleaning products together, especially bleach-based cleaners and sprays containing ammonia, as this can create harmful fumes. It's also worth checking whether your chosen cleaner is suitable for outdoor use before applying it around patios or planted areas.

Once you've finished cleaning, leave the lid open so the bin can dry fully before being used again. This helps prevent moisture from becoming trapped inside, reducing the chance of smells returning quickly.

Although we haven't specifically tested cleaning sprays on wheelie bins, these top-performing all-purpose cleaners from our tests may help tackle greasy residue and smells.

You can join Which? to see our guide to the best cleaning sprays.

4. Dispose of dirty water safely

At a glance: Dirty bin water should be emptied into a foul drain, not a rainwater drain, to help avoid polluting local waterways.

Once you've finished cleaning your wheelie bin, it's important to dispose of the dirty water carefully. Wastewater can contain food residue, bacteria, cleaning chemicals and grease, so pouring it into the wrong drain could contribute to local pollution.

Avoid tipping dirty water into a rainwater drain or roadside gutter, as these often flow directly into nearby rivers and waterways without being treated first. Detergent, food waste and other contaminants could therefore end up harming the local environment.

If possible, empty wastewater into an outdoor foul drain that's connected to the sewage system rather than a rainwater drain. You may already have one near your home for wastewater from sinks, washing machines or outdoor taps. Note that some older homes have combined drainage, where wastewater and rainwater share the same pipes – if you're not sure which type you have, the safest option is to pour the dirty water into a bucket and tip it down the toilet instead.

Try to avoid splashing wastewater onto nearby plants, lawns or patios, particularly if you've used strong cleaning products or bleach-based sprays. Once the area has been rinsed clean, allow your bin to dry fully before putting the lid back down.

5. Leave your wheelie bin smelling fresh

At a glance: Keeping food waste contained and reducing moisture inside your bin can help prevent smells, flies and maggots during hot weather.

Once your wheelie bin is clean, a few simple habits can help stop bad smells from returning too quickly. Warm weather can speed up the breakdown of food waste, especially if moisture becomes trapped inside the bin between collections.

To help keep your wheelie bin fresher for longer, try the following:

• ​Keep your bin out of direct sunlight where possible – heat can make smells stronger and encourage bacteria to build up more quickly.
• Keep the lid fully closed – this can help stop odours escaping and prevent flies from getting inside.
• Avoid loose food waste – wrapping food scraps or using compostable liners for food caddies can help reduce leaks and mess.
• Empty food waste regularly during hot weather – the sooner you get rid of food scraps, the less chance flies have to settle and lay eggs, reducing the risk of maggots taking up residence in your bin.
• Clean the bin regularly during summer – giving your wheelie bin a quick rinse or wipe-down every few weeks can help stop smells and residue building up over time.

If smells are still lingering between collections, you could also try a dedicated bin freshener. Products such as Bin Buddy (below) are designed to absorb moisture and neutralise odours inside wheelie bins, and some are scented to help mask unpleasant smells during warmer weather. However, note that we haven't formally tested bin fresheners in our lab.