Trash Can Buyer's Guide

You can choose from plastic trash cans that are germ and odor resistant or from more decorative trash cans made of stainless steel, aluminum or even woven materials. Most people have several varieties of indoor trash cans in different rooms, such as the kitchen, bathroom, home office and bedroom. Your budget will determine what kinds you choose. While you should not settle for the cheapest trash can available, decorative trash cans that are foot-operated or have automatic lids can get pretty pricey.

Above all, it is important to take into account your daily trash needs and how much available space you have when determining the size of any trash container you plan to buy.

Bathroom Trash Cans

Your bathroom trash can need not be very large or ornate. Finding a thin bathroom trash can allows you to discretely fit it next to your toilet or in other small places. Look for trash cans that are made of smooth, easy to clean materials. One tip is to choose a smaller trash can that allows you to re-use all your plastic grocery store bags that tend to accumulate in the kitchen drawer.

Kitchen Trash Cans

The kitchen trash can will likely see the most daily use in your home, and therefore should be larger. Standard kitchen trash cans hold 10 gallons and stand 30 inches tall. Today, many homeowners opt for 3 or more trash cans in their kitchen, each designated for trash or different recyclable materials. While trash cans with no lids are convenient for recycling, those designated for food waste will need a lid to contain odors and keep the pets away.

Trash Can Lids

When buying a trash can, particularly for the kitchen, you will want to pay close attention to the type of lid it has.

Some popular kitchen trash cans have lids that pop open when you push down on them, while others have a swing-top lid. Keep in mind, however, that swing-top trash cans are not the best for sealing in odors, and they will need constant cleaning.

A foot-operated lid, which can be used in kitchens and bathrooms, eliminate the need for a free hand to open the container and cut down on germ transfer. The best of these types of trash cans are made of metal, since plastic parts don’t last as long.

Another hands-free option is the electronic “touchless” trash can. These use a light-sensitive sensor that opens the lid automatically when it senses something nearby. This keeps small children and pets from going where they shouldn’t. The sensors also keep the lid open if your hand remains within range of the trash can.

Decorative Kitchen Trash Cans

If your kitchen does not lend itself to conveniently hiding your trash can, then your choice of trash can needs to lean towards something that is not just aesthetically pleasing, but rugged enough to be bumped and banged during the normal course of daily use. The popular choices in this case are the classic stainless steel designs that are also easy to clean. There are also larger compartment touchless trash can units that have one 8-gallon container for trash and one for recyclables. Depending on your budget, you can also find trash cans to match your kitchen décor and fit in like a piece of furniture.