The simple answer to keep the litter box area clean is to clean it regularly.
Scoop the litter box daily and clean it completely weekly.
Plastic is not recommended because it traps bacteria. This bacteria will not keep your litter box clean.
Cats prefer a clean litter box so we must keep it clean.
I only spend ~5 mins/week keeping the litter box clean.
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Here’s exactly how to keep the litter box area clean:
- Use a stainless steel litter box
- Provide one litter box per cat, plus extra
- Cats prefer unscented, naturally clumping litter
- Use a metal litter scoop
- Get a large double-layer litter mat
- Dispose of litter waste in a DIY litter genie
- Use small waste bags
- Keep the litter box in a quiet area away from food and water
- Scoop after each use and clean out litter boxes weekly
- Test your cat’s urine and feces at home
- Keep a detailed diary of litter waste
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1. Use a stainless steel litter box
Ever notice that household toilets are made of ceramic? And not plastic.
A stainless steel litter box is the most sanitary option to keep the litter box clean.
- Doesn’t trap bacteria like plastic
- Large, open layout for cat comfort
- Easier cleanup which means less stinky box
- More sanitary than plastic which means a lower risk of kitty getting sick
Litter clumps stick like glue to a plastic box. A plastic box will make you feel like you’re mining but not for gold.
You also have to replace a plastic box at least yearly. This is bad for your wallet and the environment.
A stainless steel box is a one-time purchase.
Buy a stainless steel litter box:
There are significantly fewer chances of bacteria and mold lodging into the material of a stainless steel box.
Using a stainless steel litter box makes clean-up so much easier for you too. No more caked-on litter.
So let’s start with a sanitary box to keep the litter box area clean.
2. Provide one litter box per cat, plus extra
Cats are territorial. They should each have a private bathroom, plus one extra, even if they are best friends.
The extra litter box is essential for when you are not able to scoop before their next trip to the bathroom.
- Reduce the risk of behavioral issues and sibling fighting
- Decrease the chance of accidents outside the box
- Keeps cats happy because they like private bathrooms
This is better for the cats and better for you too.
Cats are less likely to go potty outside of the box if they each have a clean bathroom.
There are many reasons cats refuse the litter box. Sometimes the solution is as simple as adding another box and keeping them clean.
If your cats do their business in the box, where they are supposed to, this will keep the litter box area clean.
3. Cats prefer unscented, naturally clumping litter
The cat’s nose is much stronger than ours. And the cat’s nose is only inches away from the box. So they prefer unscented litter.
Scented litters are too strong for your cat. This can cause stress.
- Cats prefer unscented naturally clumping litter
- Easier clean up for you
- Decrease the risk of your cat getting sick
Cats prefer clumping litter because it allows you to remove waste from the box after each use.
Naturally clumping litter is preferred because synthetic ingredients are no good for cats.
Non-clumping litter is no good because you’re required to mix around the pee with clean litter.
Cats don’t want to walk around on pee-pee litter. Would you?
Naturally clumping litter makes cleanup easier on you too. It’s a win-win.
I’ve tried 11 types of cat litter. Honestly, I’m not 100% pleased with any of them.
Currently, I’m using walnut clumping litter.
So far it’s the only litter that’s natural and safe to breathe in.
Buy walnut clumping litter:
Unscented, naturally clumping litter is what your cat prefers.
4. Use a metal litter scoop
This goes back to my first suggestion. Plastic is no good.
Cat waste gets stuck on plastic easily. This makes cleanup difficult because plastic traps bacteria.
- Easier to clean
- More sanitary which means no stink
- One-time purchase because it’s more durable and this is good for your wallet too
Waste doesn’t stick to a metal litter scoop.
The waste slides right off which means no more caked-on litter and bacteria buildup.
Don’t you want cleanup to be as quick and easy as possible?
Buy a metal scoop:
A metal litter scoop will stay cleaner longer.
5. Get a large double-layer litter mat
This also helps both you and your cat. A large mat gives your cat more room to wipe off when needed.
I like the double-layer litter mat the best because cleanup is easy and sanitary.
- Traps track litter
- Easier to clean than mesh mats
- You can clean between the layers which means no bacteria buildup and no stink
The litter falls between the layers, you open the layers, it all slides out.
The mesh-looking litter mats do a good job of trapping litter. But it is difficult to get all of the trapped litter out.
So you will have bacteria trapped inside.
With the double-layer litter mat, you’re able to wipe between the layers to make sure all of the litter is out.
A large mat will surely keep the litter box area clean.
Buy a double-layer litter mat:
I’ve updated my litter box setup and now use the Ripple Rug bottom only instead of the double-layer litter mat. You can wash it on a delicate cycle with cold water. Hang dry only.
A large, double-layer litter mat is easier to clean up track litter.
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6. Dispose of litter waste in a DIY litter genie
The litter genie is a great idea, but it’s made out of plastic.
The litter genie stores waste so you don’t have to take the garbage out every day.
- Keeps waste out of your kitchen garbage
- Place near the box for easier scooping
- Smell stays inside
But the litter genie is made out of plastic. It also has a lot of complicated steps.
Instead, you can try my DIY litter genie. Get a glass jug or mini stainless steel garbage bin.
If you have multiple boxes, you should have 1 DIY genie for each box. Unless you dispose of the waste bag more frequently.
Buy a mini garbage bin:
Clean out your DIY litter genie on a weekly basis. It will accumulate bacteria and stank if you don’t clean it weekly.
This DIY litter genie is more sanitary. The real litter genie product is plastic. Which traps bacteria no matter how many times you clean it.
7. Use small waste bags
Most small waste bags are the perfect size for my DIY litter genie.
Dog waste bags work perfectly for the DIY litter genie.
- Perfect for DIY litter genie
- If you have a dog, you already have these
- Smaller bags means you toss waste more frequently which means less stink
It makes cleanup easier and keeps litter waste out of your kitchen garbage.
Be sure to check the size of the garbage bin to buy waste bags that fit.
Note: I’ve tried plant-based garbage bags, and they do not work well.
Unfortunately, plastic bags hold up better here. But the real litter genie uses plastic bags anyway.
8. Keep the litter box in a quiet area away from food and water
Make sure litter boxes are in a safe and quiet space.
Cats like privacy and safety when using the bathroom. You do too, right?
- Decreases the chance of stress in your cats
- Lowers the risk of contaminating food with litter waste
- Ensures your cat will not eliminate outside the box
Please, please do not put the litter box near your cat’s food and water.
Cats are very keen to smell.
If you can smell the litter box waste, imagine smelling it 40x+ times that amount and trying to eat or drink water.
You have to think about track litter too. The litter and/or particles of poo can get into the dishes. Gross!
These waste particles will also travel to your kitchen sink when it’s time to clean the dishes.
Litter boxes should always stay in the same spot.
Cats need routine in their lives to feel safe and comfortable.
When I made the switch to a stainless steel litter box, I put it right next to the old litter box and set it up the same way.
Keeping litter boxes in the same area can prevent stress and behavior issues in your cat.
9. Scoop after each use and clean out litter boxes weekly
You flush every time you use the toilet, right?
It only takes ten seconds a couple of times a day to scoop the box.
- Makes your cat happy
- More sanitary
- Less stink and easier cleanup
Do you go for more than one week without cleaning your bathroom?
Good. So let’s add about 5 minutes per box once per week to clean it out completely.
If your cat is refusing the litter box, it’s probably because it isn’t clean enough.
Just remember, the longer you let the waste sit, the longer it will take you to clean.
Make your litter last. Don’t fill the box all the way.
Instead, fill enough to last one week. That way you aren’t wasting litter, and the box stays clean.
Fill about 3-4 inches in a pyramid-type mound shape in the middle of the box. Reshape after you scoop.
One 10-pound bag will last one month for one cat.
I know it’s a chore. I spent all day scooping litter boxes as a cat sitter.
But if you want to keep the litter box area clean, you have to clean it.
10. Test your cat’s urine and feces at home
The cat’s bathroom habits tell us a lot about his health. We can monitor this at home very easily.
Benefits:
- Allows you to detect potential underlying medical issues early
- Decreases the risk of accidents outside the box
Affordable Pet Labs sells urine and complete GI panel test kits. You collect the samples at home and send them straight to the lab.
They include everything you need, and it’s the same labs that veterinarians use.
Affordable Pet Labs does not make interpretations for you or offer consultations. It’s strictly for labwork.
But you can give them your vet’s email to send results directly to the office. Use this link and get 15% off your first order.
Alternatively, you could buy urine dipsticks on Amazon to monitor in between vet visits.
Testing your cat’s urine and feces at home is easy and great for monitoring his health.
11. Keep a detailed diary of litter waste
Your cat’s bathroom habits are one of the only signs that help us figure out what’s going on inside.
Urinating or defecating more or less frequently is typically a sign that something is off.
- Allows you to detect issues early
- Decreases the risk of eliminating outside the box
Your cat isn’t going to tell you he’s in pain so we have to use every tool we can.
The binders comes in handy for the vet when diagnosing and when transitioning cat food.
We all have busy lives, and the days can slip away from us.
Keeping a written diary is a sure way of knowing that your cat’s bathroom habits are healthy.
Final thoughts on keeping the litter box clean
Keeping the litter box area clean is simple. Just clean it!
Ditch plastic. Use the right supplies to cut down on bacteria buildup and stank.
Scoop as your cat goes and clean the box out weekly.
Remember, the longer you let the litter waste sit, the longer it will take to clean.
Implement a routine for yourself. Make time to improve your cat’s litter box because it’s vital to his health and happiness.
Monitoring your cat’s bathroom habits can help you detect any underlying issues.
This will help your vet determine the issue if your cat starts going potty outside the box.
Also remember to have fun with your cat!
Need help having some fun time with your cat? Check out how to get your cat to play next!
