Just when I think I’ve seen every home-related tip or trick on social media, the smartypants(es?) on TikTok prove me wrong yet again! Case in point, I recently stumbled on a TikTok video that taught me the correct way to something I thought I’d been doing correctly for decades—putting a new garbage bag into my trash can.
Before watching that video, I did it the only way I knew how: shake out a new bag, slide it bottom-first into my garbage can, then wrap the top edge of the bag around the rim. It worked well enough, but it did require a lot of vigorous bag shaking and I was usually left with that irritating “trash bag bubble.”
On top of those issues, I was never able to figure out why the manufacturers put the seam on the outside of the trash bag. As it turns out, they didn’t—I was just putting them in the can inside out!
This new method is easier, requires no shaking, and it even makes it easier to cinch up the drawstring when it’s time to take it out. Ready to learn how it’s done?
The Right Way To Put In A New Garbage Bag
- Turn the new bag so that the top edge is facing toward the floor.
- Open the end of the bag and secure it around the rim of the can.
- Push the rest of the bag into the trash can.
It couldn’t be easier to do, and it’s certainly less noisy than the my old “shake it out” method!
More TikTok Tips
While I still have yet to join TikTok as a poster or contributor, I do find myself perusing the app fairly regularly and picking up clever tips along the way. (If you have the app, check out the #CleaningTikTok hashtag to see what I mean for yourself!)
As a result, I’ve shared a few different TikTok-inspired tips on my blog recently, including a brilliant method for making a breakfast sandwich and how a laundry basket can make your grocery shopping more efficient. So thanks again, TikTok! :-)
More Garbage Can Solutions
Need help solving other garbage-related woes? Check out these tips to help keep your indoor garbage cans from stinking up your house (or use this felt pad hack instead). If you’re struggling with odor in your outdoor garbage cans, use this thorough method to deep clean and deodorize them!
Have you ever realized you’ve been doing something the wrong way for years?
I saw the same hack and couldn’t believe it :) I also have 2 command hooks, 1 on either side of the trash can, where i loop the handle over to hold the bag in place until I’m ready to cinch it up and take it out.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks for the tip! In addition to this great idea, I position the pull tabs on the sides of the can instead of the middle. That way when I pull the tabs up from the sides to empty the trash can, my fingers are not going to touch the middle top ridges where food and coffee grounds etc always hit. They don’t hit on the sides. Also, it’s easier to get the trash bag out as the trash settles side to side of the bag as it’s being pulled out.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I may be what’s called an “outlier” in that I live in a Canadian city that allows our garbage to be put loose into a rather large bin on wheels rather than contributing more plastic to the landfill. Since we compost our vegetables we don’t put ‘wet’ stuff in the garbage and I don’t line the garbage can at all. Yes once in a while I have to clean it out but that’s easy in the tub/shower. Our compost goes in a biodegradable bag in a countertop container and then into the compost bin that is picked up by the city. Haven’t used garbage bags since I moved here.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Put a layer of non-recyclable paper or other absorbent trash inside the bottom of every ‘messy’ bag like kitchen trash. No more leaks carrying out ‘wet’ trash!
And if you’re not able to compost, dump all your vegetable and other food into the bag instead of down the disposal. You’ll bypass adding more solids to an already expensive water treatment facility and put the veggies directly to work at the refuse site.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.That’s a great idea, Sue. Thanks for sharing! :-)
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