If you live in Central Florida, you know the drill. One minute it’s a beautiful morning, and the next, a humidity spike hits that makes the air feel thick enough to swim in. While we usually hide out in the AC, our garages often take the brunt of that swampy air.

When high humidity meets a closed garage, it doesn’t take long for things to get smelly. Between the heat and the moisture, your garage can quickly become a breeding ground for odors, mold, and pests. But don’t worry! Mr. Clean Can is here with some simple tips to keep your garage smelling fresh, even when the Florida weather is doing its worst.

1. Give Your Trash Cans the “Clean Cans” Treatment

Let’s start with the most common culprit: your trash and recycling bins. In 90% humidity, that leftover takeout or chicken scrap from two days ago isn’t just sitting there—it’s “cooking.”

• Seal It Up: Always ensure your bags are tied tight.
• Rinse Your Recyclables: Sugary soda residue and food particles are a feast for bugs and a source of sour smells.
• Leave It to the Pros: Even with careful bagging, liquids leak and odors stick to the plastic. This is where we come in! A professional cleaning with high-pressure, hot water, and eco-friendly sanitizers is the only way to truly eliminate the stench from your cans.

2. Ditch the Cardboard

We all have that stack of Amazon boxes or old moving containers in the corner. In Florida, cardboard is basically a sponge for humidity. Once it gets damp, it develops that distinct musty smell and becomes a five-star hotel for silverfish and roaches.

• Switch to Plastic: Move your storage to airtight plastic bins. They keep the moisture out, the smells in check, and the pests away.

3. Keep the Air Moving

Stale air is the enemy of a fresh garage. When humidity is high, moisture gets trapped in the corners and under cabinets, leading to mildew.

• Use Fans: If you have a ceiling fan or even a basic oscillating floor fan, keep it running on those extra-humid days to help evaporate surface moisture.
• Ventilate Strategically: Open the garage door for 15 minutes in the early morning or late evening when the outside humidity is lower to get some cross-ventilation.

4. Deploy Moisture Absorbers

Sometimes, you need a little extra help pulling the water out of the air. If you notice your tools are starting to rust or the air feels particularly heavy, it’s time to call in the reinforcements.

• DampRid & Silica: Placing moisture-absorbing buckets (like DampRid) in the corners of your garage can make a noticeable difference in how “heavy” the air feels and smells.
• Garage Dehumidifier: For the ultimate protection, a dedicated garage dehumidifier can keep the humidity level below 50%, which stops mold in its tracks.

5. Check for Hidden Smelly Culprits

If you keep your pet’s food or litter box in the garage, the humidity will amplify those scents tenfold. Additionally, check for old oil spills or chemical leaks from lawn equipment.

• Deep Clean the Floors: Use an enzyme-based cleaner on the concrete to break down organic odors rather than just masking them.
• Seal Your Supplies: Make sure fertilizers, paints, and gas cans are tightly sealed to prevent chemical fumes from mixing with the humid air.

Keeping your garage odor-free doesn’t have to be a full-time job! It just takes a little Florida-specific maintenance. By controlling the moisture and keeping your bins clean, you can make sure that the only thing you smell when you pull into the garage is… well, nothing at all!

Ready to kick those trash can odors to the curb? Sign up for our Clean Cans service today and let us handle the dirtiest job in the garage!