If you want to prevent putting your back out, use your child's skateboard or a trolley to take full rubbish bags or dustbins out to the street.
Cleaning
Wash dustbins with 4floz / 115ml ammonia in 1 gallon/4.5 litres of water. To disinfect them, substitute 6fl oz/ 175ml bleach for the ammonia; leave them to stand for 5 minutes, then rinse.
To fight mould and bacteria, sprinkle the base and sides of a dustbin with 4fl oz/ 115ml borax.
To prevent scavenging
Stretch bungee (elasticated) cords across the lids, hooking them onto the bin handles.
Strap or tie the bins to a sturdy post.
Slip broom handles or stakes through the handles and drive them into the ground.
Tie the dustbins together they'll be harder to knock over.
Put the bins in a box with a lid fastened by a padlock.
Sprinkle pepper on the ground surrounding the bins to discourage cats.
The following was sent in by Michael
The best ways I've found to keep my bin smelling fresh after the fortnightly bin collections were enforced:
- Avoid over filling bins and always try to keep the lid closed flat
- Avoid leaving leftover food exposed to flies before putting it into the bin
- Double wrap kitchen and animal waste in re-used carrier bags or newspaper. Remove as much air as possible before sealing the bag
- Rinse all cans and bottles before placing in the bin ( or better still re-cycle them).
- Where possible keep your bin out of direct sunlight
- Clean up spillages around your bin straight away
- Remember to leave your bin(s) in the correct position on the right day for collection
- Clean and disinfect your bin regularly and make controlling odours hassle free with products like Zoflora Antibacterial Bin Freshening Gel (around £2.99 from Sainsburys, Savers, Wilkinsons etc...)
The following was sent in by Cam&Bev
My tip is for Garbage Can Lids. We have the lids with the handles on top,and we use them for picking up large amounts of leaves .They work great.
disgusting neighbours