Tips for Cat Owners: How to Clean the Litter Box

Housecleaning Tips for Cleaning Outside the Box
People with cats are often in need of housecleaning tips when it comes to the litter box. Some cats are neater than others when using the privy. The neat ones saunter in, do their business, cover up and move on. The not-so-neat ones toss litter around until half of what was in the box is on the floor in front of the box. Older cats can be especially messy, as they often lose sight of the fact that while the head and paws are inside the box, the "business" end may not be.

To keep the area around the litter box clean, use a separate broom and dust pan to sweep wayward litter. (The broom you use to sweep cat litter and errant feces is NOT the broom you want to use in the kitchen, dining room or bedroom.) You can also use a handheld vacuum, but make sure there's no urine in the area. And, just as you wouldn't vacuum up a nail, screw or other heavy object, do not vacuum up cat poop.



Wash the floor under and the walls around the box at least once per week with undiluted white distilled vinegar. Because of its high acidity levels, white distilled vinegar disinfects and kills germs as well as bleach and other commercial cleaners. More important, however, white distilled vinegar is not toxic to your cat. If the litter box is in a bathroom, make sure to scrub the grout between the tiles on both the floor and the walls, as grout is somewhat porous and bacteria can hide there. If you have a cover on the litter box, it's unlikely that feces or urine will be on the walls. But, litter dust will more than likely get on the walls when you add new litter to the box and when your cat tosses it around.

Housecleaning Tips for Cleaning the Litter Box
The litter box itself should be cleaned at least once a month when the litter is changed. Empty the old litter into a garbage bag and scrape out any that's stuck to the bottom or the sides. Rinse the box out thoroughly and fill with approximately ½ to 1 inch of undiluted white distilled vinegar. Let stand for 30 minutes and rinse well with cold water. Make sure to scrub the inside of the litter box cover to remove any feces and urine, and wipe down the outside to remove litter dust. To clean the scoop, scrape off all litter, urine or feces that is stuck between the tines and wipe it down with undiluted distilled vinegar. You can also soak it in the box.

Make sure to wear disposable rubber gloves when cleaning out your cat's litter box. For the health of your family, dispose of all paper towels, sponges and towels after use. Do not save them for next time. Follow these simple housecleaning tips for the litter box and you and your cat will both be happy.