Why pads get so dirty
Food waste, grease and liquids leak from bins and bags onto the concrete. In LA heat, that residue sours quickly, smells, and attracts flies and rodents. Grease also makes the pad slippery for staff.
How a pad is cleaned
Bins are moved, solid debris is cleared, and a degreaser is applied and given time to work. The pad, curbs and enclosure walls are then cleaned with hot or high-pressure water. Grease responds much better to heat and dwell time than to pressure alone.
Wash water rules
Los Angeles prohibits dirty wash water from reaching storm drains, and greasy runoff from a dumpster pad is exactly what the rule targets. Wash water has to be contained and handled properly. Ask any contractor how they do it.
How often
Busy restaurants usually benefit from monthly cleaning, and high-volume kitchens from every two weeks. Combining the pad with the front sidewalk and entry in one visit keeps both sides of the business presentable.
What it costs
Our calculator prices dumpster pad cleaning at $85 per pad as of October 2026, with a $195 minimum per visit. Adding storefront or sidewalk cleaning in the same visit earns a bundle discount.
Key points
Why pads get so dirty
Food waste, grease and liquids leak from bins and bags onto the concrete. In LA heat, that residue sours quickly, smells, and attracts flies and rodents. Grease also makes the pad slippery for staff.
How often
Busy restaurants usually benefit from monthly cleaning, and high-volume kitchens from every two weeks. Combining the pad with the front sidewalk and entry in one visit keeps both sides of the business presentable.