College dorms are notorious for being cramped and cluttered, and one of the biggest culprits is the dreaded dorm trash can. Overstuffed and smelly, these humble receptacles can quickly become a breeding ground for bacteria and pests. But it doesn’t have to be this way. With a little planning and effort, you can keep your dorm trash can clean, organized, and odor-free.
Choosing the Right Dorm Trash Can
The first step to dorm trash can success is choosing the right one. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Size: Trash cans come in a variety of sizes, so choose one that’s appropriate for the amount of waste you produce. If you’re sharing a dorm room, you’ll likely need a larger can than if you’re living alone.
- Shape: Round trash cans are the most common, but they can be difficult to fit into tight spaces. Square or rectangular trash cans are a better option if you’re short on space.
- Material: Trash cans are made from a variety of materials, including plastic, metal, and wicker. Plastic trash cans are the most affordable and lightweight, but they can be easily damaged. Metal trash cans are more durable, but they can be heavy and expensive. Wicker trash cans are a stylish option, but they’re not as easy to clean as plastic or metal trash cans.
- Features: Some trash cans come with features like lids, liners, and wheels. Lids help to keep odors contained, liners make it easy to empty the trash, and wheels make it easy to move the trash can around.
Tips and Tricks for Keeping Your Dorm Trash Can Clean
Once you’ve chosen the right trash can, it’s important to keep it clean to prevent odors and pests. Here are a few tips:
- Empty the trash regularly. This is the most important thing you can do to keep your trash can clean. Empty it at least once a week, or more often if it’s full.
- Use trash bags. Trash bags help to keep the trash contained and prevent it from sticking to the sides of the trash can.
- Clean the trash can regularly. Wash the trash can with soap and water once a month, or more often if it’s starting to smell.
- Deodorize the trash can. If your trash can is starting to smell, you can deodorize it by sprinkling baking soda or charcoal briquettes in the bottom of the can.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are a few common mistakes to avoid when using a dorm trash can:
- Overfilling the trash can. This can lead to spills and odors.
- Not using trash bags. This can make it difficult to empty the trash can and can lead to the trash sticking to the sides of the can.
- Not cleaning the trash can regularly. This can lead to odors and pests.
- Deodorizing the trash can too often. This can lead to the trash can becoming less effective at containing odors.
FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about dorm trash cans:
- How often should I empty my dorm trash can? At least once a week, or more often if it’s full.
- Should I use trash bags in my dorm trash can? Yes, trash bags help to keep the trash contained and prevent it from sticking to the sides of the can.
- How do I clean my dorm trash can? Wash it with soap and water once a month, or more often if it’s starting to smell.
- How do I deodorize my dorm trash can? Sprinkle baking soda or charcoal briquettes in the bottom of the can.
- What are some common mistakes to avoid when using a dorm trash can? Overfilling the can, not using trash bags, not cleaning the can regularly, and deodorizing the can too often.
Conclusion
By following these tips, you can keep your dorm trash can clean, organized, and odor-free. This will help to create a more pleasant living environment and prevent the spread of bacteria and pests.