Monday, August 31, 2009

Monday's Household Assignment- Trash Cans

The days are getting shorter and cold weather will soon be here. This week's household assignment is to clean out the trash cans.
I don't enjoy this task but by the end of the summer, the collection cans and the household cans get pretty dirty and sometimes smelly inside and trust me, this is not a job to do once it gets cold.
On trash day this week, as you collect the trash, grab the cans and bring them outside. Line up all the cans near a hose. Pour a splash of a disinfecting cleaner that is environmentally safe into the bottom, fill the cans part way with water and let them sit in the sun for an hour or so. After a good soak, use a long handled broom to "scrub" the inside of the cans. Scrub the outside of the cans with water and a scrub brush. Once they are all brushed out, dump the water out to water the bushes and if needed, rinse them out. Turn the cans upside down and leave to dry for another hour or so.

TIP: Before putting bags back in the clean cans, place a section of newspaper in the bottom. The newspaper will absorb any accidental leaks that may occur. I also place a layer of newspaper in the bottom of my large collection cans each week before putting any bags in to catch any spills.

Have a great week!

5 comments:

Acorn to Oak said...

What a great idea to line them all up and do them at the same time...and let them soak in the sun...and use a broom to scrub...all things I hadn't thought of! Thanks for the tips!

The Crazy Coxes said...

Yea! I did this last week, except I didn't use environmentally safe soap. Big shock there! ;). Somehow, soemthing went awry and my big trashcan stinks already. Booo!!! It must be the bad soap I used.

mudmama said...

You are motivating me!
Thanks, Fact Woman! (Sounds like a super hero!)
Following youf rom MBC :)
Lauren
www.ajourneytotheson.blogspot.com

Akimbo That Designs said...

Great tip. Now all i need to do is go clean my garbage can. Love the idea about the newspaper in the bottom. Thanks

Anne - Mommy Has to Work said...

I'd like to my "big" trash cans, but the bigger than me!! I've been wanting to try though. Found you on MBC. great blog!

Anne
http://mommyhastowork.blogspot.com/