Setup guide
Get CanClamp installed in about ten minutes.
You'll need: your CanClamp base + straps, about 5 to 10 pounds of sand or pea gravel, a tape measure, and your trash can.
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1
Find the zipper on the base
The CanClamp base is a 24-inch diameter fabric disc. Lay it flat with the zipper facing up. Unzip it all the way around so you can pour material inside.
Tip: Lay it on a tarp or in your driveway — not on grass — so any spilled fill is easy to sweep up.
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2
Fill it with one bag of sand — that’s it
The base is sized to hold exactly 0.4 cubic feet — the volume of one standard bag of play sand or paver sand from Home Depot. Pour in the entire bag and you’re done. No measuring, no guessing.
Pea gravel, crushed rock, or aquarium gravel work too — just stop pouring once the disc is uniformly about one inch thick all the way across.
Tip: Lay the base on a tarp or driveway — not grass — so any spill is easy to sweep up.
Important: Do not overfill. More than one inch of fill makes the base unstable, hard to position under the can, and can stress the zipper. One inch (one Home Depot bag) is plenty — the weight holds the can down; more weight gives no extra benefit.
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3
Spread it evenly and zip it shut
Pat the fill out so the thickness is uniform across the disc — no high spots or empty pockets. Then zip the base completely closed. Run your finger along the zipper to confirm it's fully seated.
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4
Position the base under your trash can
Pick the spot where your can lives. Set the filled base flat on the ground, then place your trash can directly on top of it, centered. The base should disappear under the can — you shouldn't see fabric sticking out past the rim.
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5
Choose your strap mode
Two straps run up from the edges of the base. The straps have self-adhering velcro on both sides — they wrap around and stick to themselves, no buckle to fiddle with. You have two options:
Mode A — Through the handles
Run each strap up the side of the can and through the handle, then fold it back on itself. The velcro grips itself and locks.
Use when: you want the can itself anchored but still want easy lid access for daily use.
Mode B — Over the lid
Run each strap up the side of the can, over the closed lid, and back down the other side. Press the strap to itself; the self-adhering velcro locks it in place.
Use when: trash day winds, animals testing the lid, or anytime you want both can and lid locked down.
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6
Test it
Give the can a firm shove from each side. It should resist tipping and stay planted. If the base shifts under the can, recenter and reseat the straps.
Common questions
Can I use water instead of sand?
No. The base isn't waterproof on the inside — water will leak through the zipper and the fabric. Use a dry granular fill: sand, pea gravel, crushed rock, or aquarium gravel.
Will it work with my trash can?
The 24-inch base fits under most standard residential cans (32, 45, and 65 gallon). If your can has a base wider than 24 inches, the strap geometry won't reach properly — reach out before ordering.
Can I leave it outside year-round?
Yes. The fabric is UV-treated and the straps are weather-rated. In hard freezes, sand-filled bases stay flexible; gravel may stiffen slightly but won't fail.
What if the velcro stops sticking?
Pick the velcro clean of debris with a stiff brush. If the strap is still under warranty, email us at support@can-clamp.com and we'll send a replacement.
Need help?
Email us anytime — we read every message.
- Email: support@can-clamp.com
- Web: can-clamp.com