How To Keep Litter Box Clean

The simple answer to keep the litter box area clean is to clean it regularly.

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.

Scoop the litter box daily and clean it completely weekly.

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 or ceramic 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 with pH strips
Keep a detailed diary of litter waste

Test these ideas out today or save THIS PIN to your Litter Box board on Pinterest.

pin image how to keep the litter box clean

Disclaimer: I earn a commission through affiliate links below. No additional cost to you.

Also, nothing I say is medical advice. All photos are of my cats.

clean litter box area

1. Use a stainless steel litter box

Ever notice that household toilets are made of ceramic?

A stainless steel litter box is the best option because it doesn't trap bacteria as plastic does.

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

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 on Amazon:

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.

Cats are territorial. And, even if they are best friends, they each should have a private bathroom, plus one extra.

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.

Since the cats each have a private bathroom, they are less likely to go potty outside of the box.

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.

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:

US: on Amazon and Chewy
CA Amazon
UK Amazon

how to keep litter box area clean ceramic 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 ceramic or 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:

US: on Amazon and Chewy
CA Amazon
UK Amazon

how to keep litter box area clean double layer litter mat

5. Get a large double-layer litter mat

This is another suggestion that 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:

US: Amazon or Chewy
CA Amazon
UK Amazon

I also put the Ripple Rug bottom only under the litter box for more wiping. You can wash it on the delicate cycle with cold water. Hang dry only.

diy litter genie how to keep litter box area clean

6. Dispose of litter waste in a DIY litter genie

If you're owned by a street cat, you probably already dispose of garbage daily. If not, then this one is for you.

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 and dog waste bags on Amazon:

Clean out your DIY litter genie on a weekly basis. If you don't clean weekly, it will accumulate bacteria and stank.

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.

litter box location matters

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 10x+ 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 bowls and ingested by your cat. 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.

urine test dipsticks

10. Test your cat's urine with pH strips

The cat's bathroom habits tell us a lot about his health.

We can measure the pH easily. And the results show us very important information.

Benefits:

Allows you to detect potential underlying medical issues early
Decreases the risk of accidents outside the box

Too low or too high pH levels can cause urinary crystals. Our version of this is kidney stones.

A urinary blockage can happen if the crystals get worse. This results in death if not treated immediately.

Pay attention to your cat's schedule and get a strip ready while he's digging around. Stick the strip under him when you can hear a stream going.

Make sure you stick it in far. Check it to see if urine is on the test boxes before your cat is done.

Compare to the chart provided after the amount of time the box says. Please speak with your cat's doctor about what's normal values for your cat.

This little step can help save your cat from painful conditions.

Buy urine dipsticks on Amazon:

litter box log printable cat care binder

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.

If your cat is urinating or defecating more or less frequently, this is a sign that something is off.

Again, 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.

Grab my Printable Cat Care Binder on Etsy to keep track of your cat's records.

My printable binder 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.

pin image how to keep the litter area clean

Final thoughts on keeping the litter box clean

Keeping up with your cat's litter box is simple. It doesn't take a lot of time as long as you clean it regularly.

Ditch plastic. Use the right supplies to cut down on bacteria buildup and stank.

Scoop as your cat goes and clean the box 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 and urine pH can help you detect any underlying issues.

This will help your vet determine the issue if your cat starts going potty outside the box.

Need help keeping track of your cat's records? Grab my Printable Cat Care Binder on Etsy!

Hey friends! I'm Jess, and that handsome guy is Jericho. We're here to help YOU feed your cats BETTER. I've learned from over 400 cats what works and what doesn't. I've also learned the hard way what commercial food does to cat health. I am a Clinical Pet Nutritionist on a mission to change cat lives for the better through proper nutrition!