A kitchen essential; Eco-Friendly Kitchen Composting Just Got Easier with a Bamboo Caddy

Switching to bamboo for your kitchen compost caddy is easy. You can opt for a rustic looking natural bamboo caddy or a stylish and modern bamboo fibre caddy.

Both are a sustainable choice, durable and easy to clean.

Let’s look at how to properly use a kitchen compost caddy with a few dos and don’t about what to pop in them, and some cleaning tips to make sure they don’t turn into a smelly mess!

How to clean a bamboo kitchen compost caddy

Bamboo is a great material for making kitchen items.

Being grass and not wood means that the structure of the material is very different and withstands water much better than wood does.

This means that it breeds far fewer bacteria than a wooden equivalent because bacteria need moisture to survive and grow.

Bamboo is also much stronger than wood meaning it can withstand being taken out to your garden compost heap, knocked or dropped along the way.

Daily cleaning

1. Begin by removing any large pieces of excess food or debris

2. Fill a sink with hot, soapy water and add a few drops of dishwashing liquid.

3. Carefully submerge the caddy in the sink and allow it to soak for about 15 minutes.

4. Once the caddy has finished soaking, use a kitchen scrub brush or a steel wool pad to scrub away any remaining debris or food particles.

5. Rinse thoroughly with hot water, and then dry it with a clean kitchen towel.

6. To disinfect, spray it with a solution of one part white vinegar and one part water, and then wipe it down with a clean, damp cloth.

Deep cleaning

Add 50ml of white vinegar (a cup) with a litre (a quart) of warm water for a deeper, antibacterial clean.

Alternatively, mix one teaspoon of bleach with one litre (a quart) of water for a suitable disinfecting cleaning solution.

Restoration cleaning

Dampen a soft cloth with either lukewarm water on its own or a cleaning solution as mentioned above.

Have a bowl of normal table salt and dab your damp cloth into the bowl.

Use the cloth to really lift the grime taking advantage of the abrasive action of the salt.

What shouldn’t I put in a compost caddy?

The most common items people put into their compost caddy but shouldn’t are;

1. Meat and other animal products

Putting meat into your compost bin can attract unwanted pests such as rodents

2. Dairy products

Dairy products can cause an off-putting odor and attract pests that can contaminate the compost.

3. Fats and oils

Putting oils and fats into a compost bin is not recommended because it can contaminate the compost and prevent it from breaking down properly.

How do I speed up the compost making process?

Once you’ve transferred your peelings and waste to your main compost pile, you might wonder how to speed up the process of composting to geet to that black gold gardeners love so much, quicker.

1. Ensure the compost pile is well-aerated by turning the pile regularly.

2. Add a compost activator (such as urine!) to the pile to help speed up the breakdown of organic matter.

3. Add shredded newspaper, cardboard, or dry leaves to the compost pile to increase surface area for microbes to more easily break down the materials.

How do I make my compost caddy smell better?

Apart from regular cleaning, you can make your compost caddy smell a little better by doing the following;

1. Add shredded newspaper or cardboard to absorb moisture and odors.

2. Place a few slices of lemon, orange, or lime in the caddy to help neutralize odors.

3. Sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of the caddy and add a few drops of essential oil to help freshen the smell.

4. Place a few handfuls of dry, crumbled leaves in the bottom of the caddy.

5. Place a few scoops of activated charcoal in the bottom of the caddy to absorb odors and moisture.

6. Cover the top of the caddy with a tight-fitting lid to keep odors contained.