Let’s face it: everyone has come home to smelly trash cans at some point. It’s unpleasant for you, and embarrassing if you happen to be bringing home guests. Here are some tips to avoid smelly trash in the first place and keep your living space smelling divine.

Use quality odor-control bags and a closed can design.

No matter how prompt your residential waste removal service for curbside pickup, garbage will be smelly when you don’t store it in the proper bags and bins. Choose odor-controlling or scented garbage bags, and make sure your can is large enough to easily close and lock in scents when it’s full.

Dispose of food waste separately, or compost.

Food accounts for about 28% of all solid municipal waste, and yes, it starts to stink quickly. Look into making a compost bin for your yard or garden as an alternative to trashing food waste. If you have kids, composting can be fun for them to learn about as a science experiment, too! If composting isn’t an option for your living situation, ask if your residential waste removal service has options for separate food waste disposal, much like how they can have separate recycling bins. You can also simply ask if they have suggestions for other options that are available in your area.

Keep your living space consistently aired out.

More easily done in warmer months, but still possible in the winter. Having some fresh air flowing through your home keeps stale scents at bay and helps diffuse lingering garbage smell. At the very least, keep your air and heating vents clean and clear in the dead of winter to facilitate the best airflow possible.

Use scented candles or waxes.

A secret of those with lovely-smelling houses is consistently keeping something pleasant-scented around, such a scented candle, wax melter, or incense burner. Consistently introducing a nice smell into a space can cover up some smaller less-pleasant scents.

Use cooking and baking scents to your advantage.

On the same principle as smelly candles, you’ll be amazed how refreshed your house smells after baking a plate of cookies or simmering a stew. Create yourself a tasty meal or treat and make your home smell fantastic at the same time. Note: Careful of lingering smells like bacon or fish!

A nice-smelling home helps put you at ease at the end of the day. Ditch the stinky trash and you can sit back and smell the roses.