Home » News » How to Clean a Wheelie Bin

How to Clean a Wheelie Bin

What to use to  clean a wheelie bin

First, you’ll have to gather your wheelie bin cleaning products. The items you need depend on how dirty and pongy the wheelie bin is. If it’s cleaned regularly then just a bucket of warm water, a cloth, and some washing-up liquid should do the job. For filthier ones, you’ll need a few extra items.

Antibacterial or bleach sprays are necessary to destroy germs, but there are eco-conscious options to stay green when you clean. A homemade recipe of water, white vinegar, and lemon juice works just as well. Then throw down a bit of baking soda as the finishing touch to dry it off and keep bad odours at bay.

Use these wheelie bin cleaning products to wash your bin:

  • Hot water
  • Hose or pressure washer
  • Mop or hard brush
  • Sponge and/or washcloth
  • Antibacterial spray or diluted bleach
  • Alternative cleaning products – water, white vinegar, and lemon juice
  • Baking soda
  • Towel or tea towels

How to clean the inside  of a wheelie bin

Put on some old clothes, slip into your marigold gloves, and psyche yourself up to transform your dirty bin into a shining beacon of the street or business park. You can clean a wheelie bin in any order but tackling the inside first feels like the more sensible option.

Move your wheelie bin into a clear space outside and ensure it’s empty of any waste bags, debris, and other bits of rubbish. Prepare and gather your wheelie bin cleaning products, turn on some motivational music (whether it’s Binyoncé or Kanye Waste) and get to work cleaning the inside of your wheelie bin:

  • Base – scrape out any thick bits of grime, dirt, or rubbish stuck to the sides or bottom of the bin with a trowel or shovel. Lie the wheelie bin on its side and use a hose or pressure washer to blast away the dirt, pouring it out into a drain. Put the bin upright and add the antibacterial spray, bleach, or eco-friendly alternative and swill it around in the bottom. Leave to destroy the germs then pour it out and rinse with clean water.
  • Sides – as you spray water into the base make sure you get the sides as well to remove any bits of dirt. Cover the four sides with the antibacterial spray too and leave for as long as necessary to kill any germs. Scrub the sides clean with a mop or hard brush before the cleaning solution in the base is poured out. After the bin is emptied of all liquids leave it to dry, either on its side or upside down (you can also use a towel to speed up the process).
  • Lid – after washing the sides and base inside the bin, move onto the lid. Simply wipe the underside clean with a cloth and warm water, then apply the antibacterial spray and leave for a few minutes. Rinse it off with a sponge or cloth and some fresh water and leave it to dry.
wheelie bin being cleaned with bucket of water.
Explore all our wheelie bins

How to clean the outside of a wheelie bin

The state of your wheelie bin’s exterior is what your neighbours will judge you by – whether it’s your neighbours at home or the business next door. Keeping the outside of wheelie bins clean isn’t just for aesthetic purposes though. It can also give off a nasty smell if it stays dirty for a while and any local seagulls or pigeons use it as target practice.

Use these steps for the best way to clean a wheelie bin’s exterior:

  • Base – flip the wheelie bin upside down and dust off any dirt and debris from the bottom of the base with a hard brush. Then wipe it down with some warm soapy water, rinse it off, and leave it on its side to dry (or pad it down with a towel).
  • Sides – with the wheelie bin stood upright brush off any loose dirt with a broom or hard brush. Use a hose or pressure washer to rinse down the bin before applying bleach, antibacterial spray, or an all-purpose cleaning product. Scrub this in with a microfibre cloth then rinse off with clean water and leave to dry.
  • Wheels – grit and dirt can get into the wheels, making it hard to move when empty (let alone full of waste). In winter they can seize up due to changing weather conditions. Knock off any big bits of dirt and debris then use a hard bristled brush to clean the wheels. You can use water and a cloth but it’s not essential. Apply some WD-40 or other lubricant to ensure the wheels keep turning smoothly.
  • Lid – simply get some warm soapy water and a cloth to wipe clean the outside of your bin lid. Feel free to use an antibacterial spray if it smells or is especially dirty, but as the bin lid is most exposed to rain it might not need as thorough a wash as the rest of your wheelie bin.

How to clean a wheelie bin  without a hose

Cleaning rubbish bins effectively is still possible if you don’t have a hose or pressure washer at home or work. It can be a bit more labour-intensive, and gloves are necessary, but you’ll still achieve sparkling results. This is how to clean a wheelie bin without a hose:

  • Use a dustpan and brush to knock off any dirt and debris from in and outside of the wheelie bin.
  • Pour a bucket of warm water into the base of the bin, shake the bin a bit to swill it around, then drain to remove any bin juice.
  • Fill three-quarters of a bucket with warm water, a few squirts of washing-up liquid, and half a cup of white vinegar. Stir it in the bucket then pour most of it into the bin.
  • Get a mop and plunge it into the bin, using the mixture to wash the sides and base. Dip a cloth into the remaining mixture in the bucket and wipe down the outside and lid.
  • Drain the bin then chuck in a bucket of clean cold water to rinse and tip the bin on its side to drain. Rinse the outside of the bin too and leave it to dry in the sunshine (or use a towel if grey clouds are hovering nearby).
man cleaning his wheelie bin with mop in the street.

How to keep a wheelie bin clean

Once you’ve got a clean rubbish bin you won’t want it to get dirty and smelly again, no matter how much fun you had washing it. To keep your wheelie bin fresh, you must regularly give it a good scrub and look after it properly. These are a few things to do to keep your wheelie bin clean:

  • Only put clean and dry waste in your wheelie bin to reduce the chance of bin juice and bad smells developing.
  • Always close the lid to stop animals, flies, and pests from getting into the bin.
  • Place your wheelie bin under a roof if possible to avoid rainwater getting inside and bird droppings landing on the lid.
  • Move your wheelie bin out of direct sunlight when you can to slow down the decomposition of waste, which also reduces the chance of bad odours emerging.
  • Wash your bin every two months or so to keep it looking and smelling fresh.

Use free wheelie bins  for your waste disposal

Not keen on the idea of cleaning wheelie bins? Save time, effort, and money with free wheelie bins for your commercial waste management. At Business Waste we can deliver a range of wheelie bin sizes to companies anywhere in the UK – you only pay for collection.

Choose from 120 litre to 1100 litre wheelie bins and use a variety to store everything from general waste to glass recycling, paper, cardboard, and food waste. There’s no need to clean them as our licensed waste carriers remove and replace your wheelie bins so they’re always looking fresh.

Get a free no obligation quote for wheelie bins and commercial waste collection in the UK today – contact us online or call 0800 211 8390.

Get your free wheelie bins
black bags in alley
18 September 2026

How To Report Fly Tipping

If the incident is happening now, or you feel threatened, call the police. Don’t touch any of the waste or confront anyone involved.

smoke from factory
28 August 2026

What Is Decarbonisation?

For businesses, decarbonisation is not purely about energy use. Waste management, recycling, and food waste all play a key role.

recycle here sign
25 August 2026

What Can Be Recycled?

Simpler Recycling regulations have made businesses in England consider what they can actually recycle.

chef using kitchen knife
14 August 2026

How To Dispose Of Kitchen Knives

Businesses should store old knives safely, tell their licensed waste carrier what is being collected, and keep the correct waste transfer paperwork.

landfill tax rate uk
18 March 2026

Landfill Tax Rates 2026: UK-Wide Changes Explained

From 1 April 2026, landfill tax in the UK will rise again. The standard rate will increase to £130.75 per tonne, reinforcing landfill as the most expensive waste disposal option for most businesses.

hazardous waste containers
11 March 2026

What is a Hazardous Waste Consignment Note

Any business that produces hazardous waste must use a consignment note whenever that waste leaves its premises. The document forms part of the waste duty of care, which requires organisations to manage waste safely and responsibly.

GDPR sensitive document
27 January 2026

The GDPR Risk Hiding in Your Bin (And How to Fix It)

Most businesses take data protection seriously. They lock down systems, train staff on phishing, and tighten access to customer records. But there’s one part of GDPR compliance that still gets missed. What happens to confidential waste when it’s thrown away?

overcrowded landfill
14 January 2026

What Happens When the UK Runs Out of Landfill?

Across England, landfill capacity has been steadily shrinking, with some regions already operating at or close to zero available space. As sites close and approvals for new landfills slow, the UK is facing a growing landfill capacity crisis that is becoming harder to ignore.

large landfill in the UK
12 January 2026

Turning Landfill Into Opportunity: How the UK Is Repurposing Historic Waste Sites

As pressure mounts on land availability, infrastructure, energy generation, and climate resilience, ex-landfill sites are increasingly being re-examined not as liabilities, but as opportunities. With the right engineering, monitoring, and planning, many of these sites are finding new life in ways that deliver environmental, economic, and community benefits.

UK packaging rules
13 November 2025

What Are the UK’s Packaging Waste Regulations?

UK businesses must follow strict packaging waste regulations that control how packaging is designed, used, recycled, and disposed of. This guide explains what the regulations are, who they apply to, and how to stay compliant.

waste compactor.
25 July 2025

What is a Baler?

A baler is a machine that compresses recyclable rubbish into a dense cube or cuboid block. It significantly reduces the volume of waste by compacting it into a large bale. They’re commonly used for efficient and cost-effective waste management by businesses that produce high volumes of recycling.

GLP-1 pen.
27 June 2025

How to Dispose of an Ozempic Pen

Ozempic pen use is rising. Safe disposal is vital to protect health and the environment. Learn how to dispose of Ozempic and other GLP-1 pens in this guide.

waste truck dropping off cardboard.
2 May 2025

How Much is a Waste Carrier’s Licence?

There’s a cost for a waste carrier’s licence to transport commercial waste. Find out how much a waste carrier’s licence is and other costs in this blog post.

recycling logo on front of bin.
16 April 2025

Commercial Recycling Compliance

Commercial recycling should be something that every business in the UK does to get rid of various rubbish streams sustainably. This is especially important to comply with the new Simpler Recycling regulations. Many organisations generate packaging, cardboard, glass, and paper waste every day and it should be recycled.

overhead view of laptops and phones on table.
27 February 2025

How To Recycle Electronics

There are strict regulations that cover the disposal of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).

compostable plastic cups at a festival.
13 February 2025

Plastic Recycling Guide

Plastic is one of the most used materials for packaging, toys, electrical items, and many other products.

portaloos lined up in a field.
11 February 2025

Businesses of any size, industry, and location in the UK have a legal duty of care to manage all sanitary waste they generate responsibly.

bag of recyclable rubbish.
6 February 2025

A Guide to Dry Mixed Recycling

Combining used packaging, wrappers, and other materials with dry mixed recycling (DMR) is a convenient choice for many businesses.

Black Friday 50% off sign.
18 November 2024

Black Friday Waste Statistics

Black Friday produces an estimated 1.5 million tonnes of waste. Learn about its negative environmental impact with these Black Friday waste statistics.

plastic bottle tops of different colours.
6 November 2024

Bottle Top Recycling – A Guide

Recycling bottle tops prevents them from being littered and going to landfill. Learn how to dispose of lids responsibly in this bottle top recycling guide.

UK recycling exports
23 September 2024

How to Reduce Recycling Contamination

Contaminated recycling causes problems and means waste goes to landfill or is incinerated. Find out how to reduce recycling contamination in your business.

apple on a pile of books on a teacher's desk.
23 August 2024

Guide to Recycling for Schools

Recycling at school is the easiest way to teach environmental lessons. Improve sustainability at school with this guide and ideas for recycling for schools.

digital product passport QR code in tongue of a shoe.
27 June 2024

What is a Digital Product Passport?

A digital product passport (DPP) shows data about an item’s environmental impact. Find out what digital product passports are and why they’re sustainable.

rear end loader graphic.
7 May 2024

Front vs Rear End Loaders

Need a big bin to store lots of commercial waste? Discover the difference between front and rear end loader bins to work out which is best for your business.

woman working in a zero waste shop.
5 April 2024

How to Start a Zero Waste Shop

Thinking about starting a zero waste store? You’ll need a solid plan and the right equipment. Read this guide for tips when setting up a zero waste shop.

woman struggling with a broken umbrella in the rain.
17 November 2023

How to Recycle an Umbrella

Broken an umbrella in wet and windy weather? Don’t chuck it in the bin! Find out how to dispose of it responsibly with these ideas to recycle an umbrella.

candles in jars burning.
8 September 2023

How to Dispose of Candles

Recycling candles is a green way to get rid of any used ones. Learn how to dispose of candles and wax, and what to do with old candle jars in this guide.

Business waste logo and photo of a bin
30 August 2023

MRF Recycling Guide

MRF recycling stands for materials recovery facility (or materials recycling or reclamation facility). It’s a place where domestic and commercial waste goes for sorting and processing before it’s sent out for final recycling, reuse, or disposal.

power plant using RDF.
29 August 2023

RDF Waste and SRF Waste

Refuse-derived fuel (RDF) and solid recovered fuel (SRF) are renewable energy sources produced from commercial and domestic waste. Not all waste types are reusable or recyclable, so converting waste into RDF or SRF provides a sustainable option for waste management.

test tubes full of biofuel with corn on cob behind.
25 August 2023

Food Waste to Energy

Converting food waste into energy is a sustainable solution that makes much better use of waste food than allowing it to decompose in a landfill site.

rubbish inside an energy from waste plant.
22 August 2023

Energy From Waste Guide

Reuse and recycling are the primary commercial waste disposal methods. These are sustainable and environmentally friendly ways businesses can get rid of many types of waste. However, not all rubbish is recyclable or reusable. Getting energy from waste is a sustainable solution and great alternative to landfill.

doctor holding up and looking at two x-rays.
16 August 2023

How to Dispose of Old X-rays

The proper disposal of X-ray films is important for hospitals, dentists, healthcare centres, and other organisations.

blister packs containing red tablets.
15 August 2023

How to Recycle Blister Packs

Recycling blister packs is important for businesses and homes to reduce the amount of packaging waste going to landfill.

old grey four-seater sofa on the street.
28 July 2023

What is POPs Waste?

Furniture and electrical items can contain persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Learn what POPs waste is and how to dispose of it safely in this guide.

About the author

Founder & Director at Business Waste. Waste management specialist with 15+ years’ experience helping UK organisations reduce costs, stay compliant, and improve recycling performance.

Published 20th July 2023 . Last modified 18th November 2025

free bins icon.

Have your waste collected

Get a fast FREE quote for your waste collection 0800 211 83 90

  • Free quote within 1 hr
  • Any type of waste
  • FREE bins and delivery
  • We cover all of the UK