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How to Make Trash Can Deodorizer Tabs

June 9, 2017 By Lisa Sharp 56 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Click here for full disclosure and privacy policy.

Do you have a smelly trash can? Try these trash can deodorizer tabs. They are easy to make and work really well. You can even change up the scents.

Collage of trash can deodorizer tabs

I used to clean my trash cans weekly. Yes, I was that person. If you are still that person this post likely won’t help you much. You likely don’t have smelly trash cans, at least most of the time.

Sometimes I miss being that kind of homemaker. The one with the perfectly cleaned home. Those were the days before I had a blog and before I had most of the responsibilities I have now. And let’s be honest, it was before social media. And while I’m working on not letting social media be such a time suck we all know that can be hard.

So now I try to wash out my trash cans monthly, keyword being try. And so sometimes they don’t smell the best, the kitchen trash can really. Like those nights you make fish, oh the smell of fish trash, ick! Even if you clean your trash cans weekly you may have some smell going on.

Trash Can Deodorizer Tabs, smelly trash can, baking soda, air freshener, diy, essential oils

Sure you can take the trash out right away and clean the trash can all the time. However, do most of us do that? Not likely, thank goodness for trash cans with lids.

I have often sprinkled baking soda in the trash can before adding a bag and sure it helps but when you do clean the trash can it can be even more work to get clean.

So how do you use all the goodness of baking soda without the mess? You make it in to easy to use tabs. Even better add some essential oils for even more odor control.

After my first set of silicone molds, which I used for lavender bath bombs, I have been addicted. I’m always looking for more ways to use them. This project is perfect. You can make these trash can deodorizer tabs by just scooping the mixture onto some wax paper but this works even better. And let’s be honest, it also makes you seem like Martha Stewart.

While your friends may be impressed these are super easy to make. You don’t have to tell them how easy they are if you don’t want to.

Trash Can Deodorizer Tabs, smelly trash can, baking soda, air freshener, diy, essential oils

Useful Supplies

 


How to Make Trash Can Deodorizer Tabs

Ingredients

  • 2 cups baking soda
  • 6-8 tablespoons of water
  • essential oils (optional)

Directions

Mix the baking soda and essential oils. How much and what kind of essential oils is up to you. I used about a teaspoon of orange essential oils. Just add the amount of scent is to your preference.

Trash Can Deodorizer Tabs, smelly trash can, baking soda, air freshener, diy, essential oils

Slowly add the water one tablespoon at a time, mixing after you add. Once the mixture feels a bit like wet sand and when you pack it, it keeps its shape, stop adding water.

Trash Can Deodorizer Tabs, smelly trash can, baking soda, air freshener, diy, essential oils

Spoon the mixture into a silicone mold and pack it in firmly.

Trash Can Deodorizer Tabs, smelly trash can, baking soda, air freshener, diy, essential oils

Let dry for at least 24 hours. Carefully pop the tabs out of the molds, if they break to let them dry a bit longer and try again.

Trash Can Deodorizer Tabs, smelly trash can, baking soda, air freshener, diy, essential oils

Store the trash can deodorizer tabs in an airtight container. Add one or two to the bottom of your trash can as needed.

It’s fun to experiment with the scents for these. I plan to make some with orange, cinnamon, and clove around the holidays. These can also be used in your fridge in place of a box of baking soda. They also would be great for diaper pails!

Trash Can Deodorizer Tabs, smelly trash can, baking soda, air freshener, diy, essential oils

More Essential Oil DIYS

Get a free ebook with essential oil DIYs for the house. There are eight different DIYs and they all will help you keep your home clean and smelling amazing. Use the form to get the free ebook.

You can also find even more DIYs on the blog to enjoy.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. LaRea Barnett

    June 13, 2017 at 12:19 pm

    Do you place them in the bag? or between the bag and the trash can????

    Reply
    • Lisa Sharp

      June 13, 2017 at 1:14 pm

      I’ve done both. Normally I put them between the can and bag because they last longer than a bag does. However, if a trash bag is extra smelly and not quite full I’ll throw one in the bag.

      Reply
      • Kat Murray

        June 24, 2017 at 11:02 am

        I am ordering the silicone trays and will try. I was thinking outside garbages too. They get pretty stinky!
        Thanks for sharing!

        Reply
        • Lisa Sharp

          June 25, 2017 at 12:43 pm

          Hope it works well for you!

          Reply
      • Kia D. Murray

        January 27, 2018 at 7:14 am

        Hi Lisa,

        My parents do something we all thought was a tad bit strange but NOW…all of us have adopted their cray cray. LOL. They keep all of their plastic bags from the grocery store & whenever they have what we call “wet trash”….ANYTHING that would start to smell if not taken out the house goes in a plastic bag. I now do this at my house. Before I start cooking, i place a bag on the counter, open it up, then begin adding all the “wet trash” to the bag. After dinner we scrape the plates in the bag then toss.

        The trashcan bag can now last for DAYS because the only thing in there is “dry trash”. Now to THIS…I’m adding the trashcan tabs so the kitchen will have a nice clean fragrsnce that I can change whenever I want.

        My family used to tease my parents saying they have the cleanest trash EVER….& NOW…so do we! Thanks for sharing! ???

        Reply
        • Jan C

          April 21, 2018 at 10:19 am

          I know it’s been a while since this post and you probably will never read this, but when I read your comment I had to laugh. I do the same thing as your parents, anything messy, I put in a small plastic bag then put in the trash can, it cuts down on smell and leaky trash bags too. One other thing I do is save the paper perfume samples that come in magazines and store flyers, and open them up and put in the bottom of my trash cans, smells great!!

          Reply
          • sandra

            May 14, 2018 at 9:59 pm

            I need to apply this ASAP, thanks for the tip!

        • Wendy

          May 7, 2019 at 1:42 pm

          I only use store bags. I take cardbord of any kind and put it on the bottom to line it so it doesn’t leak. I don’t want coffee ground liquid leaking out. I do the same with my wet trash. I take it outside and I use dryer sheets in my trashcan. I think too I read that peppermint is something bugs don’t like. So I put that on the dryer sheets in the summer months so I don’t get nasty maggots in my trash can.

          Reply
        • Linda

          September 4, 2019 at 12:57 pm

          We do the same except we keep it in the freezer until trash day.

          Reply
          • Emily

            September 6, 2020 at 10:08 pm

            I do the same with my meat containers, bones & trimmings. We also compost & recycle. Our garbage doesn’t stink. But I love the idea of fresh smelling cans.

        • Lez

          October 26, 2020 at 6:25 am

          Aaaarrrgghh!!! Why don’t you compost vegetable waste and use your council food bin collection to keep your’wet’ waste out of landfill??!! Then the only smelly things are the wrappers from meat or fish. Reduce, reuse, recycle it’s the 21st century after all.

          Reply
          • Lisa Sharp

            October 26, 2020 at 10:58 am

            Many places don’t have food bins. I’m in the US in Oklahoma and we have no composting or food bins. We just got curbside recycling a few years ago. I do have a compost bin but a lot of people don’t know much about them here and you can’t compost animal products in most home compost bins. We all have to just do our best and we need to show each other kindness.

    • Cathy Thomas

      July 3, 2018 at 3:17 pm

      Putting mine in bag that’s where i have the most trouble.

      Reply
  2. Kat Murray

    July 3, 2017 at 9:49 am

    Sitting for 24 hours! <3 the orange smell!

    Reply
  3. Kawaiiimo

    July 5, 2017 at 4:27 am

    Will it work on smelly shoes?

    Reply
    • Lisa Sharp

      July 5, 2017 at 8:45 am

      It may, I’ve never tried it.

      Reply
    • Cassandra

      August 14, 2019 at 9:43 pm

      Smelly shoes are my pet peeve!!! Purification essential oil from young living is the cure. I promise!! A few drops on a cotton ball and throw it in the shoes over night. Voila! The key is to get a high quality oil. You can also make a baking soda mixture with purification but I have 2 toddlers. I don’t have time for that biz! Cotton balls in the shoes. Smell is gone! You can message me if you have any questions. I’m kind of an expert in this because I hate stinky shoes!! ??

      Reply
      • Lisa Sharp

        August 15, 2019 at 7:13 am

        Great tip!

        Reply
  4. liza

    July 12, 2017 at 7:47 am

    did you use regular old ice trays or are there some made with silicone only? sorry for the silly question but I am constantly fighting the smell

    Reply
    • Lisa Sharp

      July 12, 2017 at 9:17 am

      Silicone, the molds I used are linked in the post. You could also line a baking sheet with wax paper and just make little balls.

      Reply
      • Temi

        August 2, 2017 at 9:54 pm

        Thank you. I do not have silicone trays and I have been postponing trying this wonderful idea because of that.

        Reply
        • Tara

          January 9, 2018 at 11:50 am

          I’ve used regular ice trays. It still works, you’ll just need a butter knife to pop them out.

          Reply
    • Patricia

      March 10, 2018 at 11:36 am

      I am going to try these in my garbage disposal. I will pop 1 or 2 in and turn water on let run a few seconds.

      Reply
      • Lisa Sharp

        March 11, 2018 at 12:04 pm

        I’d love to hear how this goes!

        Reply
      • Laura

        August 17, 2020 at 3:22 pm

        Throw a half lemon in the garbage disposal. The oils from the skin help clean it and it smells great.

        Reply
  5. Christina Kamp

    July 18, 2017 at 1:02 pm

    Do you put them under the trash bag or in it?

    Reply
    • Lisa Sharp

      July 18, 2017 at 1:07 pm

      You can do it either way. I put one or two under the bag but will throw one in the bag if it’s not ready to go out but starting to smell.

      Reply
  6. Cyn Halverson

    July 19, 2017 at 7:43 pm

    I made these and let them sit for 48 hours. They crumble when I remove them. (That is why I let them sit 48 hours) I thought they would harden. What went wrong? I followed the directions perfectly.

    Reply
    • Lisa Sharp

      July 20, 2017 at 9:14 am

      Were they dry and crumbly or still wet? I’d guess if they were dry but didn’t stick together you need to use more water. If they were still wet you need to use less or let them sit even longer and use less next time. Hope this helps.

      Reply
    • Lisa Sharp

      July 20, 2017 at 9:20 am

      And you can sprinkle these piece in trash cans still. They will work but won’t be as easy to store. If you don’t want to do with the mess just sprinkle in the trash bag instead of the trash can.

      Reply
  7. Robin

    July 30, 2017 at 7:34 pm

    Such a good idea – so much less messy than just pouring baking soda straight in!

    Reply
  8. LuAnn

    August 10, 2017 at 9:47 am

    I’m sure this is probably a really dumb question so forgive me. You said you were going to use cinnamon and clove fragrance in the fall. Do you still use essential oils or do you just add the actual dry spices?

    Reply
    • Lisa Sharp

      August 10, 2017 at 1:03 pm

      I use essential oils. You could use the dried spices but they can stain things.

      Reply
  9. Carla

    August 12, 2017 at 1:30 pm

    Great idea—will definitely give it a try!!

    Reply
    • Lisa Sharp

      August 12, 2017 at 6:16 pm

      If you do let me know what you think.

      Reply
  10. Debbie

    September 29, 2017 at 9:15 pm

    I have made a bunch to put in small bags for shoe deodorizer. Works well so far. Silicone molds are best (I used pumpkins).

    Reply
    • Lisa Sharp

      October 1, 2017 at 1:27 pm

      That’s a great idea! I have some pumpkins as well, going to have a post using them soon! 🙂

      Reply
  11. Cliff

    April 17, 2018 at 6:51 pm

    Add citric acid like a bath bomb. If you stick them to the side of the can instead of at the bottom, they don’t get wet if there’s a bag leak. Then once the scent fades you can drop it to the bottom & add a bit of water. The fizzing will help clean it & what’s left of the scent will keep you from gagging as you rinse the can out. But the bomb action makes cleaning a breeze.

    Reply
    • Lisa Sharp

      April 17, 2018 at 8:57 pm

      That’s a fun idea!

      Reply
  12. Veronica

    June 30, 2018 at 5:53 am

    Thanks for taking the time to share this great tip. I can’t wait to try it out!

    Reply
    • Cathy Mantello

      March 24, 2019 at 2:51 pm

      I think I’m a bit behind (it’s) March 2019. I have always had “wet” garbage and “dry” garbage. I have a plastic paint bucket under the sink & my plastic grocery bags fit just fine. I always use 2 bags in case one has a hole in it. The “dry” garbage is in a plastic trash can with a swing lid. I don’t think my kids ever complained about it.

      Reply
  13. Maxine M.

    April 26, 2019 at 6:29 am

    I made these, I even have the same silicone mold. They sat for 3 days and then fell apart as I tried to remove them. Very disappointed.

    Reply
    • Lisa Sharp

      April 26, 2019 at 8:40 am

      I’m so sorry to hear that. When they fell apart what texture was it? The amount of water needed is so picky and it can take a bit of time to figure out the texture they need to be.

      Reply
  14. A

    May 8, 2019 at 3:13 pm

    Will the silicone absorb the smell of the essential oil?

    Reply
    • Lisa Sharp

      May 8, 2019 at 8:42 pm

      I’ve never had any issues with this.

      Reply
  15. Corléne

    May 10, 2019 at 8:28 am

    Great post! I found that when making these it works easier to wet the baking soda with a spray bottle filled with water. Feels like I have more control of where the water goes and the amount I use.

    Reply
    • Lisa Sharp

      May 12, 2019 at 1:34 pm

      If you have one on hand that works great.

      Reply
  16. Kathy

    May 12, 2019 at 8:24 pm

    Ooohhh, this would be great with Thieves
    Essential Oil mix (I make my own). I do scrub both my regular trash and recycle bin outside and let
    It dry in the sun regularly. ?. Adding this will make them a force for good in the room!

    Reply
    • Lisa Sharp

      May 13, 2019 at 7:08 am

      That’s a good way to look at it!

      Reply
  17. Nancy

    February 19, 2020 at 4:30 pm

    Raccoons hate peppermint, so making these with peppermint oil keeps them out of the outdoor trash

    Reply
    • Lisa Sharp

      February 20, 2020 at 10:19 am

      That’s interesting and a good idea!

      Reply
  18. Lorie Chrzanowski

    July 12, 2020 at 9:55 am

    I think this would also be a wonderful idea for the garbage disposal! I’m going to make some a give it a try!

    Reply
  19. DavetteB

    August 30, 2020 at 8:06 am

    Couldn’t you make the tabs plain and add a few drops of essential oil as you use them? 1) you could make different scents as you like, and 2) the fragrance wouldn’t evaporate before you use the last one. Just a thought.

    Reply
    • Lisa Sharp

      August 31, 2020 at 1:42 pm

      You can, just make sure they are dry before you try and move them or they may fall apart. If you put them in an airtight container I find the scent lasts.

      Reply
  20. Britney

    December 11, 2020 at 10:36 pm

    How long can you store these after they are made and still work usually?

    Reply
    • Lisa Sharp

      December 15, 2020 at 11:56 am

      As long as it’s an airtight container for a very long time. Even if the scent somewhat goes away the baking soda will still work.

      Reply

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Welcome to my blog! My name is Lisa and I'm the Retro Housewife trying to live a greener life. I share my love of all things vintage, homemaking and green living here on the blog. To read more, click here.

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