Preventing Trash Bag Leaks: 6 Tips You Won't Throw Away

How many times have you gone to take the trash out only to realize there’s a trail of liquid seeping from the bag? Speaking of messes, maybe your garbage left a puddle in the bottom of your trash can, or the sides of the bag fell into the can and caused trash to spill out.

If any of this is sounding familiar, you know the havoc a filthy garbage bin can wreak (and reek). No one likes a leaky trash bag that oozes grime, stench, and God knows what else. A trash bag is meant to contain our waste, not spill it. And yet, leaky trash bags remain a fact of life.

Luckily, there are some simple tricks of the trade that will help you prevent future bag leaks and learn to better clean up current ones.

How to Prevent Leaks

You won't have to clean up a mess if there isn’t one in the first place. Here are some of our go-to hacks to prevent leaks.

1: Newspaper Liner

Your mother's solution is still a sound one. Lining your trash can with newspaper is a smart way to keep liquid from oozing out as the newspaper can soak up any unforeseen leakage. Simply place old newspaper on the inside bottom of your trash can and the bottom of your trash bag. If (and when) any liquid seeps out of the bag, replace the dirty newspaper with dry sheets.

2: Carry the Trash Can Outside

It's everyone's nightmare that their trash bags will give out on them in the middle of the kitchen. If you are worried about the integrity of your trash bag, don't remove the bag from the can to dump it outside; take your entire trash can out with the bag still in it. That way, you only have to rely on the strength of the bag for a few seconds when you lift and dump it into the outside bin. This avoids a minute-plus trek to the garbage that could end up in a busted bag.

3: Command Hooks

Almost as bad as a trash can leak is a trash bag that falls out of place and into the can. To keep the bag secured, place command hooks on either side of the can and hook the drawstrings around it. It's the ultimate trash bag hack.

4: Binder Clips

Of course, not every trash bag comes equipped with drawstrings. In that case, we recommend using binder clips to secure the trash bag to the can.

5: Tape a Tube Inside Your Trash Can

(source: Lifehacker)

Here's a MacGyver-like tip for you. You know how it can be difficult to remove a full bag from the trash can? That's because a full trash bin can create a vacuum that clings the bag to the bin’s walls, leaving no room for airflow. To prevent this, tape a tube inside the trash can to keep air flowing.

You may have heard of the trick of drilling a hole in your trash can to keep air flowing, but this can cause trash to leak out. And no one likes a dripping trash can.

6: Get the Right Trash Can Liner

Not all trash can liners are the same. How could they be? Not all trash is the same. That's why trash can liners come in all different sizes, seals, and densities. If you're not sure which one to get or whether you have the right trash can for your needs, refer to this guide: Which Trashcan Liner is Right For You?

What to Do If Your Trash Can Leaks

Not all hacks are foolproof. Sometimes a trash can just leaks, and then we have to hold our breath, buckle down, and clean it up. If your trash can does leak, here's what you should do about it.

Determine the Cause

Why did it leak? Play Sherlock Holmes for a minute and investigate possible causes. Was your trash bag liner too thin? Did you tear a hole in it? Did the sides fall in and leak liquid into the bottom of the can? Only after you have learned why it leaked can you take steps to prevent it from happening again.

Clean Up the Mess

The fun part! Just kidding, but you really do need to clean this up. Liquid from your trash is unsanitary, and it should not be left to sit. Use antibacterial wipes right away to soak up the mess, and make sure to wash your hands thoroughly afterward.

Clean the Trash Can

Not only do messy trash cans look gross and smell worse, but they can attract pests. After you've cleaned up the leakage mess, remove the trash can from your house and take it outside to clean. Spray it down with a hose, and apply some elbow grease by scrubbing the can with soap and water. Only after the trash can is bone dry should you replace the liner and bag.

Frequent cleaning of your trash cans with mild soap and water is recommended, regardless of any leaks. For more on cleaning and caring for commercial and residential trash cans, check out this guide: How to Clean and Care for Commercial Trash Cans.

Keep It Clean

Again, no one likes leaky trash bags, but they can show up and surprise you. Life is messy, but thankfully now your trash bags and cans don't have to be quite as messy.