A clean litter box matters for both cat health and household odour control. Cats are sensitive to unclean boxes and may avoid them — leading to house soiling — if they're not maintained. Daily scooping and monthly deep cleaning is the standard routine.
Daily — Scooping
- Scoop solid waste and clumps once or twice daily — the more frequently, the less odour
- Use a sifting scoop for clumping litters; a standard scoop for non-clumping
- Discard waste in a tied plastic bag and place in the outdoor garbage — do not flush cat litter, as it can clog pipes and harm aquatic ecosystems
- Top up the litter as needed to maintain a depth of 5–8 cm (2–3 inches)
Monthly Deep Clean
- Empty all litter from the box into the garbage
- Take the box to a utility sink or bathtub
- Rinse out residual litter and debris with warm water
- Wash with warm water and a small amount of dish soap — scrub all surfaces including the rim and outside
- Rinse thoroughly
- Disinfect with a diluted bleach solution (1 tablespoon bleach per 4 litres of water) — let sit 5 minutes, rinse extremely thoroughly, and allow to dry completely
- Allow the box to air dry fully before adding new litter — a damp box causes litter to clump and stick to the sides
Avoid strongly scented cleaners or essential oils — cats are sensitive to many chemical scents and may reject a box that smells like cleaner.
Deodorizing
- Sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda on the bottom of the clean box before adding litter — it absorbs odours without chemicals
- Use a litter with activated charcoal or carbon for additional odour control
- Place an open box of baking soda near (not in) the litter box area
When to Replace the Box
Replace plastic litter boxes every 1–2 years — the plastic develops microscopic scratches where bacteria and odour-causing organisms embed and cannot be fully cleaned out. If the box smells despite thorough cleaning, it's time to replace it.