27 Cleaning Tips For Homes With Cats To Finally Control The Litter Smell

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Imagine Finally:

  • No more strong odor when someone walks in
  • Less daily buildup around the litter area
  • A simple routine that saves real time each week

Here’s how you make it work…

1. Scoop The Litter Box Every Morning And Night

Litter smell starts building up within hours, girl.

Start Small With This: Scoop clumps twice a day before they sit and dry out.

It will be so much easier if you use a metal litter scoop with small slots to remove fine clumps fully.

2. Change The Litter Completely Once A Week

Old litter holds odor even if scooped daily.

Here’s What To Do: Empty the entire box weekly and refill with fresh litter.

This gets easier if you use a large litter disposal bag to avoid spills.

3. Wash The Litter Box With Warm Soapy Water

Plastic absorbs odor over time, bestie.

Give This A Try: Scrub the empty box with warm soapy water and let it dry completely.

It will feel less stressful if you try a long handled scrub brush to reach corners easily.

4. Place The Litter Box In A Well Ventilated Area

Airflow helps reduce trapped smells.

Use This Simple Trick: Move the box near a window or airflow source.

5. Sprinkle Baking Soda Under Fresh Litter

Baking soda absorbs moisture and odor at the base.

Begin With This: Add a thin layer of baking soda before pouring new litter.

6. Vacuum Around The Litter Box Daily

Loose litter spreads odor through the room.

Instead, Try This: Vacuum the area around the box every evening.

This is faster when you use a handheld vacuum for small messes to clean quickly.

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7. Use A Litter Mat To Catch Loose Granules

Granules stuck to paws spread across floors.

The Easy First Step Is: Place a thick litter mat under and in front of the box.

It will be way faster if you use a large textured litter mat that traps loose pieces.

8. Wipe Down Walls Near The Litter Box

Walls near the box collect fine dust.

If You’re Not Sure Where To Start: Wipe the lower wall area weekly with a damp cloth.

9. Wash The Litter Scoop Weekly

The scoop itself traps odor and bacteria.

Here’s A Small Step That Helps: Rinse and scrub the scoop in warm water once a week.

10. Clean The Floor Under The Litter Mat

Odor hides under the mat if ignored.

To Avoid Feeling Overwhelmed: Lift the mat and wipe the floor beneath it weekly.

11. Open Windows For 15 Minutes Each Day

Fresh air clears lingering smells fast.

Here’s A Quick Way: Open a window daily for short airflow breaks.

12. Empty The Trash Can Before It Smells

Bagged litter waste builds odor quickly.

Start Small With This Instead: Take litter trash out every 1 to 2 days.

This gets easier if you use a sealed litter disposal system to contain smell tightly.

13. Wash Cat Beds In Hot Water Weekly

Beds trap fur and odor over time.

Consider This: Wash removable covers weekly in hot water.

14. Clean Air Vents Near The Litter Area

Dust in vents spreads odor around the house.

One Easy Reset Is: Remove vent covers and wipe them clean monthly.

It will take less time if you use a small vent cleaning brush to scrub narrow slats.

15. Replace Old Litter Boxes When Scratched

Deep scratches hold odor even after washing.

Here’s A Gentle Way To Start: Replace boxes that stay smelly after cleaning.

16. Keep Food And Water Bowls Away From The Litter Area

Close placement increases overall odor in one spot.

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The Most Doable Way Is: Move feeding stations to a different room.

17. Mop Hard Floors Around The Box Twice A Week

Paw prints leave fine dust and residue.

To Make This Feel Less Heavy: Mop the litter zone 2 times per week.

This feels easier if you use a spray mop with washable pads for quick cleanup.

18. Clean The Inside Of The Trash Can Monthly

Trash bins absorb odor over time.

Here’s The Shortcut Version: Wash the inside of the trash can with warm soapy water once a month.

19. Remove Clumps As Soon As They Form

Fresh clumps are easier to remove and smell less.

Start By Doing This Instead: Scoop right after noticing clumps.

20. Wash Curtains That Hang Near The Litter Area

Fabric holds odor longer than hard surfaces.

Here’s A Small Step That Helps: Wash nearby curtains every few months.

21. Clean The Baseboards Near The Box Weekly

Fine litter dust sticks along edges.

If You Want To Keep It Easy: Wipe baseboards with a damp cloth weekly.

22. Use Vinegar To Wipe Down The Litter Area

Vinegar helps neutralize odor on hard floors.

Give This A Try: Spray diluted vinegar lightly and wipe dry.

23. Replace Old Litter Liners Frequently

Old liners trap smell underneath the box.

The Easier Approach Is: Swap liners weekly instead of stretching them.

24. Store Extra Litter In A Sealed Container

Open bags release odor and dust.

Here’s A Quick Way: Keep extra litter in a sealed bin with a lid.

It will be so much easier if you use a plastic storage bin with tight lid to contain smell.

25. Brush Cats Regularly To Reduce Fur Odor

Loose fur carries odor into bedding and floors.

Start Small With This: Brush cats outside or near an open window weekly.

26. Clean Under Furniture Near The Litter Area

Dust and fur hide under nearby tables and shelves.

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Here’s A Small Step That Helps: Vacuum under furniture once a week.

This gets easier if you use a low profile vacuum attachment to reach flat spaces.

27. Set A Weekly Reminder To Deep Clean The Litter Zone

Consistency prevents odor from building up again, babe.

The Most Doable Way Is: Pick one set day each week to deep clean the entire litter area.

You can make this easier to finish if you use a visual timer clock to stay on track.


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Lily Thompson

Hey, I'm Lily! I'm a mom who's really good at two things: making life easier and sharing what works. I created ''Like Mom Said'' after one too many moments of realizing: "My mom was right about this." Turns out, a lot of that old-school wisdom still holds up... it just needs a modern spin. Think of me as your friend who's always got a tip (and coffee in hand.)