How to Separate Stuck Trash Barrels

Stack your trash barrels to save space, then oops you can't seem to pull them apart again? Here is the answer.

Steps

  1. Image titled Separate Stuck Trash Barrels Step 1
    1
    With a garden hose on low, attempt to fill the bottom garbage can with water. Since water can't be compressed it will uniformly lift the top garbage so you can remove it.
  2. Image titled Separate Stuck Trash Barrels Step 2
    2
    If that doesn't work, obtain some heavy duty dish washing soap.
    Advertisement
  3. Image titled Separate Stuck Trash Barrels Step 3
    3
    Put some water in a spray bottle or other convenient dispenser.
  4. Image titled Separate Stuck Trash Barrels Step 4
    4
    Stand the stuck trash barrels upright, so the opening is at the top.
  5. Image titled Separate Stuck Trash Barrels Step 5
    5
    Empty the top trash barrel of any trash or extraneous items.
  6. Image titled Separate Stuck Trash Barrels Step 6
    6
    Spray/pour the water all around the lip of the second trash barrel, between where the barrels are stuck together. Try to flex the barrels apart from each other a bit to let the water get in between them.
  7. Image titled Separate Stuck Trash Barrels Step 7
    7
    Repeat essentially the same process with the dish soap. Pour a copious amount around the edge where the barrels meet, flexing to allow it to get between the barrels. It should mix and form suds with the water. As a bonus your barrels will get cleaned by this process.
  8. Image titled Separate Stuck Trash Barrels Step 8
    8
    Apply more water as above for extra suds.
  9. Image titled Separate Stuck Trash Barrels Step 9
    9
    Hold the bottom barrel in place and wiggle the top barrel around to allow the suds to get farther between the barrels.
  10. Image titled Separate Stuck Trash Barrels Step 10
    10
    Try to lift the top barrel out while holding the bottom barrel down. With enough soap penetration the top barrel should slide out easily. If not, apply more soap and water as above and try again.
    11. Advertisement

Warnings

Advertisement

Things You'll Need

  • Garden hose
  • Heavy duty dish soap.

You Might Also Like

How to
Separate Stuck Glasses
Make a Burn Barrel
How to
Make a Burn Barrel
Fix a Jammed Garbage Disposal
How to
Fix a Jammed Garbage Disposal
Dispose of a Condom
How to
Dispose of a Condom
Dispose of a Flat Screen TV
How to
Dispose of a Flat Screen TV
Dispose of a Helium Tank
How to
Dispose of a Helium Tank
Dispose of Aerosol Cans
How to
Dispose of Aerosol Cans
Destroy an Old Computer
How to
Destroy an Old Computer
Dispose of Acetone
How to
Dispose of Acetone
Dispose of Television Sets
How to
Dispose of Television Sets
Dispose of Bleach
How to
Dispose of Bleach
Dispose of Cooking Oil
How to
Dispose of Cooking Oil
Dispose of a Credit Card
How to
Dispose of a Credit Card
Dispose of Styrofoam
How to
Dispose of Styrofoam
Advertisement

About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 58,266 times.
7 votes - 85%
Co-authors: 5
Updated: September 13, 2022
Views: 58,266
Categories: Household Waste Disposal
Advertisement