How do you clean litter trays?

[user1476618264]

I’ve decided that I’m going to get a cat this year. I’ve never had one before but I really like my friends’ cats. They live in houses and the cats go out but I’m in a flat so my cat will need a litter tray. How do I clean it though?

I know I’ve got to scoop used litter out, but when I change the litter, I assume I have to wash the tray?

I just use antibacterial wipes to clean it. Never been any issues.

What we do may not be typical but...

We have a large tray deep filled (3-4 inches) with clumping clay litter. We remove soiled litter (clumps) and anything solid every day, and we top up when necessary.
Using clay based litter means the tray itself really doesn't need to be cleaned.

I get an old washing up sponge and give it a good scub with washing up liquid once a month. Get really good clumping cat litter. And you'll have to do less full changes. Also get the best insurance you can get!

This is what we do. We have deep trays and at least 4 inches of litter. Wet wipes get rid of any side paw/poo swipes.

Sieve litter trays are the best! We use one by PeeWee and just buy big bags of wood pellets. The pellets turn into sawdust once wet, so every day we give the tray a shake and the sawdust falls into the tray below. So quick and easy!

I use wood chip and find everything gets absorbed so the tray doesn’t smell. I don’t clean it unless I see a smear and then I use my usual kitchen spray and kitchen towel.

Sorry to be that person, but you should reconsider cat ownership if the cat can never go out.

My cats don't go out

There'll be cats in rescues that can't go out for all sorts of reasons. Hopefully OP is rescuing, not buying...

As long as you go to a rescue and they know your situation it is fine. There are more cats in rescues than there are homes willing to take them. My cats go out and I am very much in favour of this if possible but I’d rather cats go to indoor homes than be put to sleep.

Litter tray liners are an absolute game chat

My cats do go out, but the little furry sods generally come back in to use the litter tray. 😹

Just antibac cheap own brand spray and kitchen towel and wipe down. I have big bin bags so can slide the tray in to empty litter etc into bin bag all so usually not that much mess to have to wipe after this. I don't bother with liners etc and have found easier. Would recommend a tray with high sides to reduce stuff being flicked out after doing their business when burying it 😂 And just the wood pellet litter as good with smells and does not clump or get all dusty. Enjoy your cat!

My cats don’t go out - they have a bespoke catio. Point blank refused to go out in it in this weather, and I don’t blame them! Apparently the bed and electric blanket is the place to be. Even looking at the rain through a window is beneath them.

I have a very deep litter tray and use litter tray liners. I also have to lay two pieces of v cheap kitchen roll on top of the litter otherwise His Lordship refuses to use the tray because of his dainty paws 🙄

So I tie everything up in the liner and pop it into the bin.

Our two rescue cats don't go out. We have two litter trays, so that's one each. We clean out the litter trays and refresh the litter once a week and every day between refreshes we just scoop out the poop and pee-logged litter into a nappy bag and put it in the bin. It can be a bit messy as they flick litter that's got stuck in their paws, but it's very manageable. Good luck and enjoy your cat, OP!

Scoop every day but once a week I empty the litter into a bin bag, remove the liner (its reusable) and pop it under the hot tap in the bath- litter tray is in the loo- and give the inside of the litter tray a wipe with some anti bac. Clean inside of liner with hot soapy water then put it back into the tray. If I don't do this it smells- have been in far too many friend's houses with litter trays that stink so I'm paranoid!

We use plant-based clumping litter (Greenwoods) and have three cats.

We scoop every time they use the trays, top up as needed (normally every three days) and empty them completely maybe once a month. We rarely ever need to clean the trays themselves but when we do I just use warm water and fairy liquid.

We used liners for a while but they always got ripped when the little darlings dug to Australia. We scoop visible lumps but otherwise just tip the lot into a bin bag a couple of times a week. The tray rarely needs cleaning. We use breeder celect which is non-clumping and does track but seems to leave the trays clean.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I like the idea of the litter sieve, and laughed at the kitchen roll to protect delicate paws 😀

It’s interesting how many of you say that the trays don’t smell too bad once you empty the litter. I had been thinking I would have to wash it but my sinks aren’t big enough - and just hadn’t even considered the bath is much larger 🤦‍♀️

I found them absolutely useless. They just shredded them.

If I do wash mine I do it outside with flash and a kettle full of water. Wouldn’t want cat poo residue in the bath.

I used to tip the litter out, spray the tray liberally with litter tray cleaning spray and wipe out with kitchen roll until it was dry

I wash mine out in the shower.