Troubleshooting When Your Better Homes and Gardens Oval Step Trash Can Won’t Open

As the owner of a Better Homes and Gardens 105 Gallon Oval Step Trash Can I know how frustrating it can be when the step pedal opener stops working properly. This convenient stainless steel kitchen garbage can is popular for its sturdy construction and hands-free opening mechanism. However, the foot pedal feature can sometimes jam or malfunction preventing the lid from lifting up when you step on the pedal.

In this article I’ll share some troubleshooting tips I’ve learned from my own experience to get your Better Homes and Gardens oval step can opening smoothly again.

Why Your Step Can Gets Stuck Shut

There are a few common reasons why the step opener on your oval trash can may stop working properly:

• Obstruction underneath the lid – Trash bags, dirt, and debris can get lodged under the lid, blocking it from opening.
• Broken or fatigued springs – The torsion springs responsible for lifting the lid can wear out or snap after prolonged use.
• Sticky hinges – Gunk buildup on the hinge pins can make the lid stiff and harder to raise.
• Damaged damper – The damper attached to the step pedal is supposed to slow the lid opening. If this plastic part cracks, the lid won’t open right.
• Pedal problems – If the step pedal is obstructed, cracked, or can’t move properly, the lid can’t open.

Regular inspection, cleaning, and replacement of worn parts can help prevent intermittent stuck lid issues. Let’s look at some step-by-step troubleshooting tips.

Inspect Under the Lid for Obstructions

The first thing to check is whether something is physically blocking the lid from freely opening.

• Remove any trash bags from the can and set the lid closed.
• Press down on the step pedal. The lid should pop up an inch or two immediately when you step.
• If it does not open at all, manually lift the lid and look underneath for obstructions. Oftentimes, a folded trash bag, dirt, or debris gets lodged under there, impeding motion.
• Carefully clean out any gunk or objects preventing the lid from lifting. Make sure there is clear space for the lid to swing upwards.

With the area under the lid cleared, try stepping on the pedal again. Many times, this simple inspection and cleaning solves a stuck shut lid.

Check the Damper Mechanism

There is a small damper attached to the step pedal system designed to gently slow the speed at which the lid opens after you step. This important part can wear out over time.

• Look behind the metal step pedal for a black plastic damper piece.
• When you press down on the pedal, this damper arm should swing smoothly downward.
• If the damper is cracked, doesn’t move, or is missing, the lid will just fall back closed rather than staying propped open.

Replacement damper parts are inexpensive (around $10) and fairly easy to install yourself. This is often the culprit behind non-functioning step cans.

Lubricate the Hinges and Internals

With frequent opening and closing, the various hinges and internal springs on the trash can lid assembly can become dry, sticky, and stiff. This friction can prevent the lid from opening fully.

• I recommend spraying a light lubricant like WD-40 or silicone spray on the main lid hinge pins once a year.
• Also lubricate the small damper hinge behind the step pedal.
• There are internal torsion springs and mechanisms that shouldn’t be directly sprayed, but wiping down with a cloth soaked in lubricant can help.

Proper lubrication cuts down on friction so components move freely when you step on the pedal. It’s simple preventative maintenance.

Inspect the Lifting Springs

Your oval step can lid is lifted upwards by a large torsion spring mounted underneath the lid assembly. There is also a smaller spring inside the step pedal housing.

• If the lid feels abnormally heavy when lifted manually, the main spring may be broken or too weak.

• Try removing the lid and inspecting the spring’s condition. Replacement main springs cost around $7.

• The pedal return spring can also become fatigued over time. If the pedal does not snap back out fully after being pressed, replacing this $3 spring often fixes the issue.

Checking the condition of the torsion springs and replacing any worn ones is key to keeping the automatic opening feature working.

Ensure the Lid Shut Stays Move Smoothly

On each side of the rim, there are small lid shut clips that slide in and out to hold the lid closed between uses.

• If these slide clips get stuck, they can prevent the lid from popping open when you step on the pedal.
• Try lubricating them with a light oil or silicon spray to loosen things up.
• If the slides are too worn out, replacements are around $2 per slide.

Proper motion of the lid shut stays is required for the step opening function to work right.

Check for Pedal Damage or Obstruction

Issues with the step pedal itself can prevent the opening mechanism from working correctly:

• Inspect that the pedal can press down fully without any obstruction.
• Make sure the pedal and related rods are not bent or broken. Damaged pedal parts should be replaced.
• There should be a little up/down play in the pedal – if things feel tight, loosen the pedal housing bolts slightly.
• Spray lubricant on the joints and linkages around the pedal assembly.

The pedal needs to be able to move freely and fully to properly lift the lid.

Adjust the Lid Hinge Screws

Finally, if the lid seems loose, sagging, or misaligned, adjusting the hinge screws might help.

• Try tightening the main lid hinge screws or positioning the lid angle slightly forward.
• But be careful not to over-tighten, as stripping the screw holes can occur.

Proper hinge alignment keeps just enough forward tension on the lid so it pops open instantly when you step on the pedal.

When to Call a Repair Service

While many stuck lid issues can be fixed with basic troubleshooting, sometimes the problem requires more complex repairs. If you’ve tried all the steps above and the pedal opener still doesn’t work, it may be time to call in a repair technician. They have the expertise to diagnose and replace any severely worn or damaged components.

Enjoy Hands-Free Trash Disposal Again