Top 10 dog poop trash can odor control You Need To Know

Dog owners know that part of having a dog is dealing with poop. But picking it up is only half the battle. That poop has to go somewhere, and most owners throw it in the trash bin. If this trash can is in your house or your garage, it won’t be long before it starts to smell.

The good news is that it doesn’t have to. There are ways to get rid of the stink. To help you do just that, here are 10 proven methods to dispose of your dog poop without smell.

1. Trash Cans

Unfortunately, using a can alone doesn’t stop the smell of dog poop, especially when it’s hot outside. That said, you can do a few things to help stop the smell from escaping the trash can.

Choosing the right type of trash can will go a long way toward reducing the smell. Most importantly, choose one that seals tightly. The tighter the seal between the lid and the can, the less likely that trash smells will escape the bin. Material matters too. Steel bins do a better job at stopping smells than plastic ones, as plastic bins tend to absorb smells, making them harder to get rid of.

Last but not least, use scented garbage bags in your trash can. They won’t eliminate all odors, but they will certainly reduce them.

---

2. Diaper Pails

Use a diaper pail to dispose of your dog’s poop without smell. Diaper pails are specifically designed to hold poop without stinking up the house. It will cost slightly more than a traditional trash can, but it’s a fantastic option for apartment dwellers who have to keep their trash indoors. It’s one of the best indoor options on this list and one that’s readily available to anyone.

The only issue with using a diaper pail is that you have to remember to empty the pail on trash day because your poop isn’t being housed in your regular trash bin.

---

3. Bag Individual Poops

While this won’t cut back on smell completely, it will help a bit. If you bag up your dog’s poop in small individual bags, it provides an extra barrier for smells to escape. It now has to permeate the small poop bag, the large trash bag, and the trash can before it reaches you. It isn’t a perfect solution, but it’s bound to stop most of the odor.

You should be bagging all your dog’s poops when you’re out walking, anyway, making it easy to throw those bags in the trash. But this method is inconvenient for cleaning up large volumes in your backyard, as it can become time-consuming and labor-intensive.

---

4. Baking Soda

Using a natural deodorizer, like baking soda, is a safe bet for reducing the poop smell in your trash. You most likely have baking soda in your cupboard already, and it only takes a small sprinkle to neutralize odors.

The alkaline nature of baking soda makes it an ideal candidate for tackling the smell of dog poop. Since dogs’ diets are usually high in protein, their excrement is naturally acidic, which is what makes it smell so bad. Baking soda is an alkaline compound, so when it comes into contact with acidic poop, it neutralizes the pH and stops smells.

Obviously, you won’t be able to get the baking soda to contact every bit of poop in your trash, but you should be able to cover most of it to trap the smell. There are a few different ways that you can use baking soda:

---

5. Cat Litter Deodorizer

While cat litter deodorizer is designed to eliminate odors from cat waste, it works just as well for eliminating dog waste smells. It’s a slightly more expensive option than using regular baking soda, but it is more effective. If you find that baking soda doesn’t work, it may be the next best option.

There are tons of cat litter deodorizer options available. Some work better than others, so you may have to try out a few different ones to find what works for you. Use the deodorizer the same way that you would use baking soda, by sprinkling it in your trash bin when you dispose of dog poop.

---

6. Flush It

There is no reason that you have to throw your dog’s poop in the trash bin. You can flush it down the toilet just like any other bathroom waste. You’ll need to be more aware of how you contain the poop while you get it to the toilet, but it’s a simple solution that works.

Flushing your dog poop is also the most environmentally friendly disposal method. It’s far better for the environment than constantly tossing plastic bags, even if you’re using biodegradable ones.

This option makes some dog owners a bit squeamish, as you have to wrap the poop in toilet tissue and carry it to the bathroom to dispose of it. Another solution is to keep a small, sealable bucket outside to put the poop in. Then, you can flush it once a day, so you don’t have to run to the bathroom every time your dog goes.

---

7. Porch Potty

Consider building a self-draining porch potty if you’re handy and feel like attacking a DIY project to stop your dog’s poop smell. You can build one with a simple wood base and use artificial turf on top. A plastic tray makes for easy cleanup, or you can insert a PVC pipe to make drainage even better.

If this option appeals to you but you’re slightly less handy, you can also purchase a pre-made porch potty, like the PetSafe Portable Pet Loo.

---

8. Store Waste Outdoors

This option isn’t available to everybody, but if you have the option to store your trash bins outdoors, it will keep you from smelling it.

The problem with storing your trash cans indoors, even if it’s in the garage, is that it gets hot. Dog poop holds a large amount of bacteria, and when it gets warm, they unleash awful smells.

Storing your trash bins outside also means more airflow around the bins, which helps the smell dissipate.

---

9. Clean Trash Cans

Regardless of the type of trash can that you use, if it’s housing dog poop, you should give it a good scrub once in a while. Smells permeate the material of the can, and they will stay there indefinitely. Even if you stop putting dog poop in the can, it will continue to smell like it.

Every couple of months, use disinfectant to scrub out the inside of your trash cans. You can even sprinkle a bit of baking soda when you’re done to absorb any odors left behind. Hopefully, you can then start over with a fresh-smelling bin.

---

10. Compost

If you have enough space, use your dog poop to make compost. Poop makes great fertilizer, and since you already have it available in good supply, composting is a way that you can use it to your benefit.

The first step is to buy yourself a compost bin. Then you add plant matter, like leaf and grass clippings, and put your dog poop on top. Over time, the material will break down, leaving you with amazing compost.

Making compost won’t stop the smell, however, as compost develops an entirely unique odor of its own that isn’t always pleasant. You’ll want to keep your pile a good distance away from your house.

But composting is a great way to turn your dog poop into a useful, environmentally friendly substance. You can also save money because you won’t have to buy fertilizer for your lawn or garden.

Conclusion

There are numerous ways to stop the smell of dog poop in your house and garage. While you won’t be able to avoid the smell entirely, these tips will help you keep it to a minimum. A few changes to your disposal routine can help you minimize smells indoors, and if you have enough outdoor space, you can get rid of the poop smell outdoors too. You can even forgo throwing out the poop and turn it into something useful, like compost.

Living with a dog doesn’t have to mean living with poop smell. Choose the method that works for you and get rid of that stink for good!

---

Featured Image Credit: Miriam Doerr Martin Frommherz, Shutterstock