Sometimes,it comes from your refrigerator.
The sink is another known culprit.
More often than not, though, your trashcan is to blame.
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How It Works
According to Beatriz, this method truly couldnt be simpler.
You simply take the soft half of a Velcro pad and the essential oil scent of your choosing.
My Approach
The first step was, of course, sourcing Velcro pads.
Ashley Chalmers / The Spruce
I ordered mine straight off Amazon, though Im sure you could pick these up almost anywhere.
Big box stores, craft supply shops, or the hardware store are all a safe bet.
I already had some essential oils on hand, so I pulled those out and assessed my options.
Chokchai Silarug / Getty Images
As instructed, I separated one soft pad from the set of eight and added five droplets of oil.
Then, I fixed it to the underside of my stainless steel trashcan lid.
The oil seemed to really seep through, and it slid around when I pressed it on.
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I also didnt think I could really smell the lemon, but I figured Id wait and see.
Days Two Through Five
Ill be honest.
I forgot, almost instantly, that the pad was there.
There was no noticeable scent, and its well hidden on the lid.
This could be seen as a pro.
Nothing about this hack was complicated or annoying, and it didnt result in any added hassle.
Unfortunately, it also meant the lemon scent didnt really seem to have an impact.
Our kitchen trash can is fairly large, with one side for trash and the other for recycling.
It just sort of smeared around at first, and I found the process annoying.
Does the Scent Matter?
By the next day, I couldnt smell anything resembling orange at all.
Its possible the brand of oil was a problem, or maybe an even stronger scent would be better.
But by this point, I was ready to call it a wash.
I was surprised I never noticed even a waft of lemon or orange throughout this whole process.
This would be great if this hack worked, but now, it kind of grosses me out.
Our bin isnt usually overly full, but theres a reason trashcan lids are always easy-to-clean surfaces, right?
Im starting to view this thing as a tiny germ collector.
My Verdict?
No, Thanks
In the end, I dont think this is the solution for me.
But as for me, Im still open to a new solution to the occasionally smelly garbage conundrum.
