How to Get Rid of Pet Food Container Smell
A rancid, oily smell from the pet food bin comes from the fats that coat kibble going rancid on the container walls, plus residue from opened wet food. Wash the canister fully, dry it, and stop topping off old food, and the smell goes.
We make small-batch beeswax candles in Far Rockaway, so a room that truly smells clean is our whole focus, and that always starts at the source rather than the scent. Below is where the smell comes from, how to clear it step by step, and how to keep the space fresh afterward, with the full the MBur beeswax candle collection here as you read.
Why the bin turns rancid
Kibble is coated in fats that oxidize and turn rancid over time, and that oily film builds up on the walls and bottom of a bin that gets refilled without washing. Opened wet food leaves residue and crumbs that rot.
The plastic absorbs the smell, so it lingers even after you scoop the food out. Washing the container is what actually clears it.
How to clean it, step by step
- Empty it completely. Pour out all the old food rather than topping it off, and discard anything stale or rancid-smelling.
- Wash it hot. Clean the bin with hot soapy water, getting into the bottom and corners where oily dust collects, with a brush.
- Deodorize. Wipe it with a baking soda paste or a vinegar-and-water solution to lift the absorbed smell, then rinse.
- Dry it fully. Oils cling to damp surfaces and mold can form, so dry the bin completely before refilling.
- Refill properly. Do not pour new food over old residue. Keeping the food in its bag inside the bin makes future cleaning easier.
Wash between bags, not just when it smells. Starting each bag with a clean, dry bin is what keeps the rancid oil from ever building up.
Keep it from coming back
Keep the bin sealed and somewhere cool and dry, and refrigerate opened cans of wet food with a cover.
Buy only a few weeks of food at a time so the fats do not have time to go rancid before you use it.
Freshen the whole room once the source is gone
With the rancid kibble residue handled, the air itself is the last step. A clean candle is the finishing touch here, best lit once the space is already clean. From there it is the fastest way to make the room read fresh rather than merely neutral.
For your kitchen, Just to Clarify fits well. It is clean and crisp, with bergamot, lemon, and green tea, and like every MBur candle it is poured from 100% beeswax with a wooden wick and phthalate-free non-toxic fragrance oils, so freshening the air never means adding soot on top.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my pet food container smell rancid?
Kibble fats oxidize on the walls of the bin, especially when new food is added on top of old residue. Wash the bin between bags to prevent it.
Should I keep kibble in the bag or pour it into the bin?
Keeping it in the bag inside the bin holds freshness and keeps the container clean. If you pour it in directly, wash the bin with each new bag.
How often should I wash the container?
With every new bag of food, and any time you notice an oily smell.
How do I keep wet food from smelling?
Cover and refrigerate opened cans, and wash bowls and any wet-food container promptly after each meal.
Ready to keep your space smelling clean once the source is handled? Explore the MBur beeswax candle collection and find the scent that fits the room.
Shop our candles
