How To Select Trash Cans For Short Term Rentals?
Nobody likes a messy room with overflowing trash cans. You can do your best by cleaning the room before the guests arrive but after that, it becomes their responsibility to take care of the premises. It is absolutely vital that you should be able to provide them the necessary items to keep the room clean. One extremely important piece is the trash can. A trash can may seem so simple that it can be overlooked and you won’t think about it until your guests start complaining that they have nowhere to dispose of their waste. As a short term rental owner, you need to make sure your guests don’t have to be in that situation or it can mean an angry negative review.
What to look for in a trash can?
The biggest factor in picking a trash can is thinking about where it will be placed in the house. If you have an office desk in your Airbnb then you might need a paper wastebasket next to it. If you are offering an outdoor relaxation area like a lawn then you are going to need a special can for that space. You don’t need to have a trash can in every room of the house, but if the room has a purpose that might generate waste, then you should consider putting a trash can there.
Depending on whether trash in your area has to be segregated into standard and recyclables you might need two different trash cans, one for each. You just need one pair of these. For the rest of the rooms of the house, you will only need a dry waste bin. It is assumed that all wet waste will go into the standard wastebin and all other baskets in the house will have recyclable dry waste.
Pick the right shape for your wastebasket. Depending on whether you are trying to save space you might select a half-round basket that sits plush against a wall. You could go for a round basket if you like the look of a particular one. Your other options are rectangular, square and oval.
It is important to think about whether your trash cans need lids. Apart from having a clean look, lids also contain the smell within the trash can. If you are getting one for wet trash, then having a lid is a good idea. You can have an open basket for a wastepaper basket next to the office. Paper trash won’t require a lid. If you are getting one with a lid, make sure it has a foot mechanism for opening the lid.
Finally picking the right material for the trash can for your short term rental is just as important. For indoor use, you will probably be using plastic or metal. Plastic is great for bulkier, larger trash cans that are used by everyone in the house. For the ones in each room, you can consider getting a sleek metallic trash can that can add to a room’s style. For an outdoor trash can, you can consider a heavier material like stone.
Recommendations from Amazon:
simplehuman 40 Liter / 10.6 Gallon Slim Kitchen Step Trash Can: This one comes with a 5-year warranty which speaks for its durability. It is a great option for the main trash can in the house. You even have an option to use custom high-quality Code K Custom Fit Liners that are specially made for this can. It has wheels to move it around easily. It has a slide lock that prevents children and curious pets from getting into the trash.
iTouchless 13 Gallon Stainless Steel Automatic Trash Can with Odor-Absorbing Filter: If you want to spoil your guests and get something fancy then you should get this smart trash can that comes with a touchless interface. It can be opened with just the motion of a hand (Isn’t that cool?!?!). The touchless interface makes it more hygienic than regular trash cans. It has a carbon odor filter for neutralizing the trash odor. The batteries last for around one and a half years or you can run it with an AC adapter through the wall plug.
Umbra Skinny Sleek & Stylish Bathroom Trash, Small Garbage Can Wastebasket: This trash can is great to be kept in the bathroom or next to a desk. It is simple and stylish with a slim design that fits most tiny spaces. It has a built-in handle for carrying around easily. It enhances the decor with its classy design.
simplehuman Round Step Trash can, Dark Bronze: If you want to get a round shaped trash can that has a classic look then you should consider this one. It is inexpensive and comes with a 10-year warranty. It has a strong steel pedal to open the lid without touching it. The inner bucket is easily removable for easy trash disposal.
Precautions to take:
Make sure you keep a stock of trash bags always. You never know when you might need an extra one or might unexpectedly run out. Your trash can will be useless without a trash bag. If your guests continue to use without a bag, the can will require cleaning.
Make sure there are proper markings on the recyclable trash can so that guests know which is which. Generally, recyclable cans are blue. You can use these standard colors to make life easier for the guest.
The trash should be cleared out on time, every time. If the guest is sharing your trash can, then it becomes no problem. If they have their own separate trash can then you have to set the guest’s responsibilities firmly and communicate them clearly. You can either choose to collect the trash yourself. If you decide to let the guests handle it, then it is their responsibility to clean it out before they leave. If they are on a longer stay then they have to do it every trash day. Make sure that everyone is on the same page.
Make sure the location you decide to place the trash can in, is airy and dry or else it will lead to the trash getting moldy and disgusting.
Love,
Scooch and Steve
