A trash bag slipping inside a trash can when one tosses something in it can be annoying and infuriating due to the sheer grossness of the situation. There are only a few things as nauseating as fishing out a sunk-in trash bag from a smelly pile of garbage inside a full trash can. To avoid that outcome, one can follow certain tips and tricks that prevent the trash bags from slipping into trash cans:

Picking the right-sized trash bags
This may seem like basic advice, but a large percentage of people tend to overlook it. Overtly small bags (relative to the size of the trash can’s mouth) tend to slip in easily, while large bags get folded multiple times and end up making the task of picking out trash from cans incredibly difficult.

Generally, there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to trash bags. They come in a variety of shapes (circular, rectangular, square, among others) and sizes. The trick is to narrow down the bag to the nearest size based on its shape and the overall diameter of the trash can. Using appropriate-sized bags is half the battle won when it comes to keeping them from slipping into trash cans.

Using large rubber bands
As the aim is to keep trash bags firmly open and fixed to the rim of trash cans, an elastic and large solution is needed for the job. Extra large rubber bands tick all the right boxes when it comes to keeping a trash bag from slipping into its can. In fact, jumbo-sized rubber bands can stop as much as 100 gallons of trash from sinking into trash cans along with their trash bags. People can purchase extra-large rubber bands individually or as a package (with 4 to 5 bands in each pack).

All one needs to do is to line a trash can with an appropriate-sized bag. Ensure that there are a few inches of overhang to enable the handler to grip the bag. Then, one can fold the bag over the rim (or lip) of the trash can. Finally, one needs to stretch a jumbo rubber band to its limit and secure it over the rim of the trash can.

While picking out the trash, one can lower the rubber band, and the bag slips out smoothly to allow people to empty the bag.

Using adhesive hooks
Shopping bags usually come with large handles to help individuals carry them. Many people use these bags as trash bags. The handles in these bags tend to stick out of trash cans. Adhesive hooks can properly fix these handles on the mouths of trash cans. All one needs to do is stick these hooks on the sides of trash cans before attaching the handles to them to prevent the bags from slipping into the cans. This idea always comes with the risk of the handle breaking off if the load filled inside the bag is too heavy.

Using large binder clips
One can easily find binder clips in their houses and workplaces. They are quintessential to keep papers and files organized almost universally. Binder clips are also highly versatile and can be used to keep trash bags firmly clamped to the mouths of trash cans. Large and powerful binder clips can be easily purchased from shopping malls and even small retailers. One needs to buy large binder clips that measure at least a couple of inches. These clips will be clamped on the rim of the trash cans. Once the metal bars in the binders are folded down, the clips will not interfere with the lid of the trash cans or obstruct its mouth.

Using bungee cords
Bungee cords are strong, resilient, and long enough to keep trash bags from slipping into cans. In case there is an excess amount of trash bag sticking out of a can, one can simply fasten a bungee cord around the bag to fix it firmly to the rim of the can. Bungee cords, or even thick ropes, can do this job very efficiently.

Using glue dots
Glue dots are a slightly underrated solution when it comes to fixing the trash-bag-slipping problem. To ensure that a bag remains stuck to the rim of the can, one can place some adhesive glue dots in strategic spots around the mouth of the can. One can even put a few drops of glue on the top inch or two of the trash bag. Once all the glue drops are placed, one needs to insert the bag into the trash can and fold it over the lip of the can. Pressing down the bag over the lip ensures that the bag stays fixed to the can.

Employing trash bag cinches
Cinches work in a similar mechanism to rubber bands and bungee cords. Instead of a knot (in the case of bungee cords), cinches come with belt-like hooks that help them stick anything firmly on another surface. So, all one needs to do is insert a trash bag into a can before attaching a cinch to the part of the bag that sticks out of the can. The strong grip of the cinch on the bag will ensure that the latter does not slip into the can, even when the bag is full of collected trash accumulated over a given day.

Tying knots on trash bags
This is the easiest and quickest fix to the problem of trash bags slipping into trash cans. This solution involves knotting one corner of a trash bag before placing it in a trash can. After that, one can fold the bag over the lip of the can tightly. The knot ensures that the bag remains locked on the mouth of its trash can. Alternatively, if a given trash can has any grooves or slits, one can insert a corner of a trash bag through each groove or slit before tying a knot around the slit and locking the bag in place.