What's the Best Trash Bin Cleaning Equipment?

Own or clean a business that produces a lot of trash? You empty the bin, and there it is: sticky residue on the bottom and a smell that hangs around after the bag is gone. A dirty trash bin undoes the rest of your cleaning, and it attracts pests.

The good news is that you don’t need special machinery to fix it. Four basic tools, plus the right disinfectant and liners, will keep bins clean, sanitized and fresh-smelling. Here’s what to stock.

4 Trash Bin Cleaning Equipment Types for Your Business

1) Plastic Spray Bottles

A refillable spray bottle lets your team apply cleaner exactly where it’s needed, inside the bin and around the rim, without pouring chemicals everywhere. The Zep Professional Spray Bottle has an adjustable nozzle, so you can switch between a wide spray for the bin walls and a focused stream for stuck-on spots. Label each bottle by chemical so nobody mixes products.

Best for: Applying cleaner and disinfectant to bin walls and lids.

2) Scrub Sponges

Once the cleaner has had a few minutes to work, a scrub sponge does the heavy lifting. Scotch-Brite Medium-Duty Scrub Sponges have a soft side for wiping and a scrubbing side for grime, so one sponge handles the whole bin. Keep a separate color or batch of sponges just for trash bins so they never end up on food-contact surfaces.

Best for: Wiping down bin walls and loosening dirt and grime.

3) Pump Sprayer

For large bins, dumpster-side cans and multiple bins in one go, a pump sprayer saves time over a trigger bottle. The Jr. Pump-Up Sprayer holds more solution and lets you build pressure with a few pumps, so you can cover a lot of surface area quickly. It’s a smart pick for janitorial crews cleaning bins across a whole building.

Best for: Covering large bins quickly and cleaning many bins in one round.

4) Scouring Pads

Dried-on food and residue don’t come off with a sponge alone. Scotch-Brite Heavy-Duty Scouring Pads cut through the toughest buildup at the bottom of the bin, which is usually the source of lingering odors. Use them after the disinfectant has had time to soften the mess.

Best for: Removing stuck-on food and the residue that causes odors.

Don’t Forget the Disinfectant and Liners

Tools only work as well as what you put in them. CloroxPro Formula 409 Cleaner Degreaser Disinfectant Spray cleans, degreases and disinfects in one step, which suits greasy kitchen and breakroom bins. Always follow the label for dwell time.

Then line every bin. Browse our trash bags, can liners and dispensers to find the right fit. A good liner is the easiest way to keep bins clean in the first place. Heritage Value Line 33-Gallon Can Liners fit most standard commercial cans and are made from recycled material.

Who Should Buy Trash Bin Cleaning Equipment?

If you run a janitorial company, these are must-have supplies for every crew. Restaurants, hotels, offices, schools and medical facilities should keep them on hand too, since clean, fresh-smelling bins make a better impression on customers and guests and help keep pests away.

When several employees or crews clean bins across different sites, buying in bulk keeps everyone stocked and costs down. Buy Direct makes that easier with wholesale pricing on all of these products.

Buy Trash Bin Cleaning Equipment from Buy Direct

Whether you clean one breakroom can or a whole building’s worth of bins, the right equipment makes the job faster and the results last longer. Stock up on spray bottles, sponges, scouring pads, disinfectant and liners on Buy Direct, or talk to your Mission Rep about adding them to your regular order.

FAQs

What equipment do I need for bin cleaning?

At minimum, you need a spray bottle or pump sprayer to apply cleaner, a scrub sponge for wiping, a scouring pad for stuck-on residue, and a disinfectant. Gloves protect your hands, and a hose or bucket of clean water handles the rinse. For large bins, a long-handled brush helps you reach the bottom.

How do you clean a trash bin?

Empty the bin and remove loose debris. Spray the inside and outside with a disinfectant cleaner and let it sit for the time listed on the label. Scrub with a sponge, use a scouring pad on stuck-on residue, then rinse and let the bin dry completely before putting in a new liner.

What is the best thing to clean trash bins with?

A disinfectant cleaner that also cuts grease works best, since most bin residue is food and grease. Spray it on, let it sit for the full contact time on the label, then scrub and rinse. Never mix bleach with other cleaners, especially ammonia or acids, because the combination creates toxic fumes.