Amazon Basics is a fast-growing brand known for its highly-rated home products you can get at affordable prices.
One of its most coveted products is this big, nice-looking trash can.
Besides its large capacity, it boasts a smudge-resistant, heavy-duty stainless steel exterior, so it’s great for long-term use.
Product Highlights
Measuring 16.73 x 14.65 x 25.87 inches, this rectangular trash bin can hold up to 13 gallons of trash, making it the biggest option on our list.
It features a soft-close lid that you can open via a foot pedal.
The exterior is made of stainless steel, while the interior features a heavy-duty removable plastic bucket for convenient waste disposal.
What We Like
We love the modern look of this stainless steel trash container that blends in effortlessly with any home decor and appliance.
Other sizes are available if you find it too big for your bathroom, such as a five-gallon can.
We love the sleek, smudge-free finish that makes cleaning effortless. It also has a stay-open mode, so you can easily remove or replace the liner.
What We Don’t Like
Overall, you can’t deny that this Amazon Basics stainless steel trash can is a good investment.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to keep it flush with the wall because the lid will bang it.
Buyer’s Guide
The trash can is probably the item you think about the least when sprucing up your bathroom, but it’s essential for both self-hygiene and the environment.
Here are the key factors to consider when choosing a trash can for your bathroom:
Shape
Trash cans come in varying shapes, but the most popular options are rectangular, oval, square, round, and half-round.
While the shape is more of a style preference, the size of your bathroom may help determine the best trash can shape for your home.
For example, a half-round trash bin can save space if you have a small bathroom.
Size
Generally, bathroom trash cans are small, having a capacity of only one to five gallons.
When choosing a trash can size, consider your space and the number of people who use the bathroom.
If you’re the only one using it, get a two or three-gallon. However, if three or more people use the bathroom, get a bigger trash can from five to six gallons.
Material
Bathroom trash cans come in a wide range of materials, such as stainless steel, plastic, wood, metal mesh, and wicker.
While all materials are suitable, steel and metal trash cans are the most durable. The downside is that trash cans made of such materials are often more expensive.
If you’re after style and sustainability, wicker and wooden garbage cans are good options.
We recommend choosing a bamboo wastebasket if you’re trying to eliminate plastic usage in your household and want something long-lasting.
However, they aren’t waterproof, so they tend to wear more quickly than stainless steel or metal trash bins. They are also harder to clean.
If you’re tight on budget, plastic trash cans are wonderful options.
They are sturdy, lightweight, and easy to clean. However, plastic trash cans are the easiest to tip over.
Lastly, keep in mind that bathrooms are humid places. Therefore, we recommend getting a water-friendly trash can so it won’t wear down quickly.
Aesthetics
Gone are the days when trash cans cause an eyesore in our homes. Today, you will find them in many color options, styles, and designs to fit your bathroom’s theme.
Aesthetics might be one of many minor things you consider when choosing a trash can for your bathroom, but it’s actually quite important.
Surely, you want to maintain your bathroom’s overall look by adding a well-designed waste basket.
Opening Mechanism
Bathroom trash cans have varying opening mechanisms, each with advantages and disadvantages.
Many bath trash cans don’t have covers, making it highly convenient to dispose of your waste. The downside is that an open-lid wastebasket might result in smelly trash odors.
To prevent this, you can use carbon filters or buy a trash can that has one.
Some bath trash cans feature sensors, so you don’t have to touch any part of the bin to open it.
Trash cans with swing tops are easy to use. However, they aren’t the most hygienic since you have to push the opening to throw your trash.
If you don’t like your hands coming in direct contact with the trash can, choose one with a foot pedal.
You’ll also find trash cans that pop open when you press the lid. That said, germs and bacteria can build up if your hands aren’t clean.
Odor Control
Nobody wants their bathroom to smell bad. As such, some bathroom trash cans come with a charcoal-activated filter to combat odors.
Choose one if you don’t have a window to ventilate your bathroom.
Bathroom Trash Can FAQs
1. Does a bathroom trash can need a lid?
Choosing between a lid and a no-lid trash can is more of a personal choice.
Many beautiful wastebaskets are non-lidded types because they make trash disposal much more convenient.
However, some prefer trash cans with lids because they help with leakage and odor control. Moreover, garbage bins with cover prevent invasion by pests and insects.
2. How often should you take out the bathroom trash?
It’s important to empty trash cans every few days so that they don’t spill over and cause pesky odors.
In addition, you should line your bathroom trash can with a bin liner or plastic bag. This way, dirt, hair, and gunk don’t build up at the bottom of the container.
3. How do I clean my bathroom trash can?
To clean a bathroom trash can, follow these steps:
Step 1: Wear rubber gloves and empty the trash. Make sure to remove any lingering debris that may have fallen into the can itself.
Step 2: Rinse the trash can with water. It’s best to do this in your backyard using a garden hose.
Step 3: Take your cleaner of choice and spray the inside and outside of your trash can.
Step 4: Scrub the surfaces using a sponge, bristled brush, or a microfiber towel. Make sure to clean the ins and outs of your trash can, including the lid.
Step 5: Finally, rinse and dry your trash can. Ensure it’s completely dry before putting it in a new trash bag or liner so no mold-causing moisture gets trapped inside.
4. How long should a trash can last?
There is no set time, but a good rule of thumb is to pay attention to how it looks and smell. If your trash can is worn out, smelly, or outdated, it may be time for a new one.
5. How do I keep my bathroom trash can from smelling?
To keep your trash can from smelling, dispose of your trash and clean the bin regularly. Then, use a charcoal filter or sprinkle the bottom of the bin with baking soda.
Which Trash Can Is Perfect for Bathrooms?
The MOPUP Touchless Bathroom Trash Can is the best bathroom trash can because of its intuitive design and innovative features.
If you have the budget for it, we highly recommend this product.
However, if you are looking for a smaller, simpler trash can that does the job, go with the mDesign 2.4-Gallon Wastebasket.
This attractive-looking trash bin is perfect for small bathrooms. Plus, it’s sturdy, easy to clean, and inexpensive.