Introduction
A good wastebasket is essential for any household. Whether you call if a trash can, trash bin or garbage can, they keep your home clean, sanitary and organized. But which ones are the best and how do you choose? This article will cover what makes a good wastebasket, how to choose one and simple and practical tops picks (and maybe some over the tops ones). Within this article the terms wastebasket, trash can and bin will be used interchangeably.
Why you need a good wastebasket
Humans generate a ton of trash and only some of it is recyclable. So you’re gonna need a good trash can to put all that waste in. If wastebaskets didn’t exist someone would have had to invent them because we’d all be lying around in our own filth. Garbage is unsanitary and can cause health problems. A garbage can is made to contain all that refuse and easily dispose of it. Wastebasket help you keep your house clean and sanitary. And a wastebasket in every room can help you keep up with your cleaning quickly and saves you lots of time.
What makes a good wastebasket
Everyone is going to have different needs for their wastebasket depending on the kind and quantity of trash you throw away. Do you put a lot of table scraps and wet food in your kitchen receptacle? Do throw away just paper products in your home office trash or does your lunch go in there too. Do you have kids that throw everything everywhere? Do you want a lid or a foot pedal? These are questions you will need to answer before you begin your purchasing journey. I’ve created a good introduction to everything you need to know about wastebaskets here. In this review, I will include 3 receptacles in each category: Best High Dollar (or Luxury), Best Budget, Best Stylish.
Best Kitchen Trash Cans
Kitchen trash cans are the work horses in your house. And they also tend to have the most (and dirtiest) refuse in them. From table scraps to vacuum cleaner contents, it’s important to pick the right one for your needs.
Best High Dollar Trash Can: Simplehuman Voice + Motion Dual Compartment Rectangular Sensor Kitchen Trash Can
This is one fancy trash can. It has dual compartments for trash and recycle and the lid lifts with a voice and motion sensor. It also has odor absorbing technology. This thing does everything for you except take itself out! And there are fancy little extras you can order like liners and a trash caddy to go on your trash can! Comes in stainless steel, white and black. But it is expensive. Price: $300
Best Budget Trash Can: Rubbermaid Touch Top Lid Trash Can for Home
Rubbermaid has made quality household products for years and their trash cans are no different. This is a simple, no frills bin with a lid. It is 13 gallons which is a standard size for kitchen wastebaskets. Price: $39
Best Stylish Trash Can: BestOffice Plastic Kitchen Trash Can with Automatic Touch Free Lid
This kitchen trash can from BestOffice is super cute and highly rated. It’s made of durable plastic and has a sensor for hands free opening. It also comes in pink and the price is pretty reasonable! Price: $37.88
Best Bathroom Wastebaskets
It’s important to get a good bathroom wastebasket as some of the contents that get throw in there are very unsanitary. It’s important to have one that doesn’t leak.
Best High Dollar Bathroom Wastebasket: Michael Aram Mirage Bathroom Wastebasket
This bathroom designer wastebasket is very luxurious and elegant. Inspired by India and ancient craftsmanship, the Mirage wastebasket by Michael Aram features hand-forged design and stainless steel. It also comes with bath accessories like a matching hand soap dispenser and tissue box holder. Price: $265.00
Best Budget Bathroom Wastebasket: Umbra Skinny Can
If your just looking for something to throw your tissues and Q-tips in, this cute bathroom bin from Umbra is stylish and affordable. It’s got a handle for easy grabbing and comes in 8 different colors. With a 4.7 star-rating out of 54,000 reviews, it’s certainly worth checking out. And the price is right. Price: $8
Best Stylish Bathroom Wastebasket: Avanti Linens Farmhouse Shell Bathroom Wastebasket
This cute wastebasket has a beachy shell theme and comes with matching accessories as well. It’s made from 100% food-safe resin and is hand-painted with Avanti’s unique, signature look. They have several designs to choose from. Price: $44.99
Best Office Wastebaskets
Best Luxe Office Wastebasket: Burke Décor Hyde Oval Tapered Office Wastebasket
This impressive designer office basket is wrapped in real animal hide with fur. It evokes smokey rooms overstuffed with leather and trophy deer heads. Price: $434.00
Best Budget Office Wastebasket: Rubbermaid Commercial Concept Collection Mesh Metal Wastebasket
Another tried and true Rubbermaid product, this classic mesh office wastebasket won’t let you down. It’s made of durable steel and uses 30% post consumer recycled steel. There is a vinyl ring on the bottle to protect floors from scratches. NOTE: If you tend to throw food in your office trash can, insert a trash bag or liner. Price: $12.97
Best Stylish Office Wastebasket: Whitmor Split Rattique Waste Basket with Wood Handles
This is decorative woven wastebasket is sure to be a conversation piece. It is handwoven over a sturdy wire frame with wooden handles and gives an airy, sophisticated look. And it is reasonably priced. NOTE: Again, If you tend to throw food in your office trash can, insert a trash bag or liner. Price: $24.99
Best Oversized Garbage Bins
These trash cans are good for garages, outdoors or if you are living in a frat house. Nothing sexy about them, but they do the job. Two materials dominate the category, so we’ll do best affordable steel and best affordable rubber .
Best Affordable Steel Oversized Garbage Can: 31 Gallon Galvanized Steel Round Metal Household Trash Can with Lid
Oscar the Grouch would feel at home with this trash can. Made of durable galvanized steel, it is a stronger alternative to plastic and rodent proof. And it’s fun to beat it like a drum to annoy your neighbors. Price: $34.97
Best Budget Rubber Oversized Garbage Can: Roughneck 32 Gal. Vented Black Round Trash Can with Lid
Rubbermaid tops the list again with this large garbage bin with lid. It is lighter and cheaper than the steel one not as sturdy. Rodents can chew through the rubber. Price: $24.97
Best Wastebaskets For Saving Space
A lot of people don’t have enough space for a large trash can or even a regular kitchen-sized receptacle. And not to mention sometimes they are not very attractive and can smell. Luckily they make many different under-counter bins that pull out and slim wastebaskets that you can tuck away in a pantry. For this section, we’ll do best slim and best pull out cans.
Best Under Counter Pull Out Can: Simple Human Under Counter Pull Out Trash Can
This pull-out can is easy to install which is very important. It’s track it preassembled and it pulls out all the way from the counter for easy access. Price: $80.00
Best Slim Trash Can for Corners or Pantries: Simplehuman 10.6 Gallon Slim Kitchen Step Trash Can With Secure Slide Lock
Simplehuman sure has cornered the market on specialty garbage bins. This one is ultra slim at 10.2 inches wide. It also has a lid and wheels for easy mobility. Price: $39.88
Conclusion
With a myriad of trash cans and wastebaskets on the market, it’s important to determine your budget and needs. Hopefully this article will help you sift through the many choices.
About The Cleaning Lady
I’m a professional house cleaner with 20 years of experience cleaning houses under my belt, and I’ve learned a lot about cleaning, organizing and how people react to these tasks. I’ve worked with hoarders, people will mental disorders and the young and old. What I’ve learned is everyone has different levels of “clean” and most people hate to clean. I give you cleaning and organization tips that are easy to use and don’t take all your time. And I am a fan of gadgets that will help you clean. My motto is “Clean smarter, not harder!”