Terrible things happening in my bin

[imutterlydisgusting]

I ran out of bags a while back so got into the bad habit of just putting plate scrapings etc into a bowl and emptying each day into the brown food bin at side of house.

Understandably, a layer of foul food waste built up at the bottom but I put off doing anything about it because it was a bit gross but not horrendous.

Well, now, in this heat, it is absolutely disgusting. There is a thick paste about 2 inches deep that looks and smells like shit. I need to sort it out now before the bins are collected on Weds as the bin collectors certainly don't need to be dealing with that.

Is there anything I can put in it to neutralise first?! Thinking bicarb / bleach / sawdust / all of the above... I've seen rememedies for cleaning bins but can't imagine they were written with my bin in mind.

Blast it with a hosepipe if you have a garden. Then probably tackle it with drain cleaner or Mr Muscle Sink & Plughole unblocker - hopefully that will dissolve it to the extent you can tip it down the drain.

Some people say caustic soda is good but I've never had much success with it.

If you have a hosepipe I’d blast it with that firstly then I’d add in some bleach and boiling water and let it sit there for a while then try to tip it down the drain. Sounds gross, good luck!

What about a strong concentration of jeyes fluid in water, left in for a few hours, then blast with a jet spray (if you can borrow one) and then disinfectant again?

Toilet duck or bleach leave overnight

Then fairly liquid and boiling hot water

Then hose it out

If it is a food waste bin specifically, then I would be careful about adding chemicals such as bleach as this may affect the decomposition/treatment process. Maybe look up on your council website what can go in that bin? I would probably let them empty it before looking at cleaning it or if it has already decomposed, I suppose you could empty it at the bottom of your garden somewhere?

If you have bags now you could try emptying it into one or a thick wedge of newspaper maybe before putting it back into the bin for collection?

Good luck!

I wouldn’t blast it with a hosepipe initially as it will spatter you. I’d Chuck a load of bleach in, jab it about with a stick, pour away then get marigolds, scrubber and jif. Hose at end.

I'd put gloves on and turn a bag inside out. Scoop the worst of the shit layer with the bag and put in bin. Then bleach and hosepipe the rest.

I usually chuck in few kettles boiled water and some bleach. Leave it to sit. Then swish with plastic brush. Then hosepipe it on its side

You could use a £1 IKEA bog brush and Chuck it.

Be careful if you have a dog as one died from licking this kind of guck from a food waste bin

@Youdiditanyway

If you have a hosepipe I’d blast it with that firstly then I’d add in some bleach and boiling water and let it sit there for a while then try to tip it down the drain. Sounds gross, good luck!

Bleach works better in cold water.

Rubber gloves, hold your breathe, empty it out onto newspaper, and roll it up tight. Then pop in bleach/water solution.

You can't add anything chemical in until it is emptied out sadly.

Our council allows the compostable type shopping bags from Waitrose or Co-op to be used, have you got any of those you can decant it into?

Ive had load of maggots in mine, and that's with bagging. In this heat it really needs double bagging - ugh.

No. There is no easy way. Just get stuck in! You’ll feel better when it’s done. God speed my friend . Keep your mouth closed .

... and wear glasses / sunglasses in case of splashing.

Go at it with a srick then turn iver in garden and cover qith soil.

Go at it with a stick then turn over in garden and cover the mess with soil

I thought your title said brain not bin. Clearly projecting!

What is supposed to go in a brown bin?
Honestly, I'd get it emptied on wed then clean out. Dont put in chemicals if they compost the waste, just water.
And buy some bin bags.

Thank you mumsnet for the moral support and lack of judgement.

I donned the mask and sunnies, emptied out the bin onto newspaper - the heat helped I think, and most of it slid out in a satisfying dollop.

I then wrapped up the package, creating quite possibly the most horrendous 'prank' fish n chips ever if you were that way inclined.

Squirted bleach, then added lots of cold water and scrubbed sides using old washing up brush. Then walked up and down road with bin of shame, looking for a drain, before gingerly pouring it down the only one I could find without a car on top of it.

Feel like a hero now.

Thanks again for the wisdom!

Put hot water and zoflora or Jeyes fluid in. Leave for half an hour . Tip bin on its side and it will dry in this heat. When it's done, line bottom with some newspaper and neat zoflora or Jeyes

Our bin collections in Somerset are three weekly so you can imagine!!! There are maggots flies and rats. We've just decided to leave it.

This is more for once you get it clean, but we keep all food waste in a paper bag in the freezer, and only put it in the bin just before it goes out - saves it getting too horrible, especially in the heat!

Bag of clumping cat litter (the grey granule type made of clay type stuff) tipped in and left to soak up the gunge, then less messy to scrape out.
I keep a bag in the house to soak up any disgusting spills.

@Shehasadiamondinthesky

Our bin collections in Somerset are three weekly so you can imagine!!! There are maggots flies and rats. We've just decided to leave it.

What About the bin men who have to touch it though?

@imutterlydisgusting Well done you legend!

Well handled, well done!
Mine gets gross and we’re a short family so reaching in to scrub is a hassle. If you’re able to budget for it, there are bin cleaning services who’ll come round every other bin day and give it a clean for you! :)