Cleaning Cat Litter

Written by Karen Bates (last updated July 4, 2016)

Cats are pets that are well known for their cleanliness. Even though they are good at taking care of themselves, however, sometimes their owners need to clean up after them.

If you are a cat owner or are thinking about getting a cat, you have to know how to properly clean a litter box. It is fortunate that cats can be trained to use the bathroom in only one spot, but you still need to clean the litter often to ensure your cat stays healthy and to prevent unpleasant odors. Plus, if the litter box is left uncleaned for too long, there is a good chance that your cat will get disgusted as well and stop using it. If this occurs, you might be unhappy to find that your cat chooses to do its business in other parts of the house instead. This situation would only mean more cleaning for you in the end, so it's important that you stay on top of the task and keep the litter clean.

Cleaning cat litter is a fairly easy task that can be completed in just a few minutes or less. When considering cleaning a litter box, keep these ideas in mind:

  • How you clean the litter box depends on the kind of litter you use. You might use clay litter, clumping litter, natural litter, or something else to fill the litter box.
  • For litter that clumps, you will need a litter scoop that will allow you to easily collect the clumps and throw them away. Other litter types require a full cleaning to get rid of waste in the litter.
  • It is easier to fully clean the litter box if you wrap a plastic bag (like a small garbage bag) around the box like a liner before you fill it with clean litter. This way, all you have to do to clean the box is pull the bag off with the litter inside. If your cat scratches through the plastic bag, just empty the contents of the litter box into another bag to dispose of it.
  • Once in a while, you should empty the box out completely and clean it with a cleaning solution. You can try dish soap, a mixture of water and vinegar, or a commercial cleaner that is safe for animals to wash the box, then rinse it off thoroughly.

Remember that if you have more than one cat, you will need to clean the box more often. It can also help to have more than one litter box in your home.

Author Bio

Karen Bates

An English student who enjoys writing and art, Karen has had her poetry published in her university's literary journal and has several novels in the works. ...

MORE FROM KAREN

Choosing Your Pots and Pans

When deciding which pots and pans to get for your kitchen, there are several things to consider. Some of these things ...

Discover More

Form Versus Function in Garden Design

How can you make the most of your garden area? Make sure that you keep both form and function in mind as you plan.

Discover More

Dog Cleaning

Your dog may need more cleaning than just a regular bath. Take care of your dog's grooming needs to keep him healthy and ...

Discover More

Keep Your Hardwood Floors Like New Bona's hardwood floor cleaner is the #1 choice of professionals. The no-residue formula is specially designed to be safe for floors, families, and the environment. Check out Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner Refill today!

More Cleaning Tips

Pet Cleaning

Did you pet make a mess on the carpet again? Be sure to have the right tools on hand to deal with clean up.

Discover More

Automatic Litter Box

Are you tired of scooping your cat's poop out of the litter box? Consider purchasing an automatic litter box instead.

Discover More

Cleaning Pet Urine

Did your pet have an "accident"? If so, you really need to get started on cleaning it up. While it may smell bad, it is ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in Cleaning Tips from Tips.Net. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 9 + 3?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)


Newest Tips
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in Cleaning Tips from Tips.Net. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.