Advice for first time cat owner

[TryingToMakeItThrough]

Hi, so me and my partner brought home a little kitten yesterday, 11 weeks old, black and white, and just wondered what advice you’d give us.

He’s quite vocal, loves lying on my lap and having a good nap, and eating well, and i love him already, but he’s not using the litter tray, last night he pooed on the sofa and I’ve used pet odour neutraliser and washing powder to try and get the smell out, but it’s still lingering, and I’m not sure how to go about getting him to use the litter tray, I take him after his eaten, when he wakes up, and after vigorous play, but not success yet.

Any advice?

Cannot possibly provide advice without a picture. It is the Mumsnet rule.
Sounds like he's already fairly confident. But don't over do it. Let him come to you. It will take time to find the little tray. One of mine pood on the sofa when I first got her. It soon stopped.

Congratulations! Pictures of the wee floof please!

So my advice would be to keep him to just the one room until he cracks the litter tray. Keep litter tray clean but not too clean (I.e. don't completely change all the litter too regularly, just scoop away offending area and definitely never use cleaning products on it, just rinse out with boiling water say once a week)
Make sure litter tray is away from food area - e.g. opposite side if the room.
Be prepared to spend a good amount if time in this room with him and gently him in the tray if he looks like he's sniffing for somewhere to go. Also do this shortly after he wakes up from a nap and after he's eaten.
Clean up any messes quickly and thoroughly using an Enzyme cleaner. I placed tin foil over areas my DCat tended to go after a tip on here - apparently they don't like the sensation on their paws. Seemed to help.
Good luck!

Gently put him in the tray

Thought I’d post a picture of him for those that asked☺️

I can vouch for shockedballoon's techniques working.

If you don't have a specialist cleaning product use a solution of bio washing powder as an interim solution.

He's absolutely beautiful, OP. What a dear little nose.

He is little poppet!!

Echo advice here but just wanted to come on to say what a character! He's lovely - I think he's going to be HUGE given the size of his paws - particularly the one back paw we can see!