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DIY Cleaning Methods for Cat litter box

Reviewed by Zac Kieffer

Updated: September 15, 2025

Discover easy DIY cleaning methods for your cat’s litter box. Keep it fresh, odor-free, and hygienic with simple tips and tricks for every cat owner.

DIY Cleaning Methods for Cat litter box

Baking Soda and Vinegar

Sprinkle baking soda over the empty litter box, then pour white vinegar on top. Let the mixture fizz and sit for a few minutes to break down stains and odors. Scrub with a brush, rinse thoroughly with water, and dry before adding fresh litter. This natural method deodorizes and disinfects the box effectively.

Title

How to Clean a Cat Litter Box with Baking Soda and Vinegar

Empty the litter box completely. Start by removing all used litter and any solid waste. Use a scoop to get every last bit—don’t forget the corners, where clumps like to hide.

Rinse with warm water. Give the box a quick rinse in the tub or outside with a hose. This helps loosen any stuck-on debris and preps the surface for cleaning.

Sprinkle a generous layer of baking soda over the bottom and sides. Baking soda is a common household powder that helps with odors and can gently scrub away residue. Let it sit for a few minutes to do its thing.

Pour white vinegar over the baking soda. You’ll see fizzing—this is normal! The reaction helps lift grime. Use enough vinegar to cover the baking soda, but not so much that it overflows.

Scrub with a brush or sponge. Use a dedicated cleaning brush or an old sponge (not one you use for dishes) to scrub all surfaces, including corners and edges. The fizzing action helps, but elbow grease is still required.

Let it sit for 5–10 minutes. This gives the mixture time to work on any stubborn spots or lingering smells.

Rinse thoroughly with warm water. Make sure to remove all traces of baking soda and vinegar. Any residue left behind can mix with fresh litter and create clumps or odors.

Dry the box completely. Use a towel or let it air dry. A dry box helps prevent new litter from sticking and clumping to the bottom.

Refill with fresh litter. Add your usual amount of clean litter, and you’re good to go.

Tip: For best results, clean the litter box this way every 1–2 weeks, depending on how many cats you have and how sensitive you are to odors.

Note: Always check the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific litter box. Some materials (like certain plastics) can react differently to vinegar over time.

Ineffective Odor Control

Baking soda and vinegar may not fully neutralize strong cat litter odors, as their reaction is brief and doesn’t address persistent smells. This method can leave lingering odors and may not provide long-lasting freshness in the litter box.

Hydrogen Peroxide and Water

Mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto the empty litter box and let it sit for 5–10 minutes. Scrub with a brush, then rinse thoroughly and let dry before adding fresh litter. This method disinfects and helps eliminate odors naturally.

Title

How to Clean a Cat Litter Box with Hydrogen Peroxide and Water

Empty the litter box completely. Start by removing all used litter and any debris. Give the box a quick shake over a trash bag to get rid of stubborn bits stuck to the bottom or corners.

Rinse with warm water. Before you reach for the hydrogen peroxide, give the box a good rinse with warm water. This helps loosen up any remaining residue and makes the next steps more effective.

Mix your cleaning solution. Combine equal parts 3% hydrogen peroxide and water in a spray bottle. (3% is the standard strength you’ll find at most drugstores—don’t use anything stronger.)

Spray the entire inside of the box. Make sure you cover all surfaces, including corners and edges where grime likes to hide. Let the solution sit for about 5 minutes. This gives it time to work on stains and odors.

Scrub with a dedicated brush or sponge. Use a brush or sponge that you only use for the litter box. Scrub all surfaces, paying extra attention to any stuck-on messes. If you see stubborn spots, spray a little more solution and let it sit for a few more minutes before scrubbing again.

Rinse thoroughly with warm water. Make sure you remove all traces of the hydrogen peroxide and water solution. Any leftover residue can mix with fresh litter and create clumps or odd smells.

Dry completely before refilling. Use a clean towel or let the box air dry. Moisture left behind can cause new litter to stick or clump in weird ways.

Refill with fresh litter. Once the box is dry, add your preferred litter and return it to its usual spot. Give your cat a little encouragement—they’re usually suspicious of any changes to their bathroom routine.

Tip: Always wear gloves when cleaning the litter box, and wash your hands thoroughly afterward. Even if you’re using household products, it’s just good practice.

Note: Hydrogen peroxide can have a mild bleaching effect on some plastics. If your litter box is colored, test a small, hidden area first to make sure it won’t fade or discolor.

Residual Bacterial Growth

Hydrogen peroxide and water may not fully eliminate all bacteria in the litter box, allowing some to survive and multiply. This residual bacterial growth can lead to lingering odors and potential health risks for both cats and humans.

Activated Charcoal and Warm Water

Sprinkle a thin layer of activated charcoal over the empty litter box. Add warm water and let it sit for 10–15 minutes. Scrub gently, then rinse thoroughly. Activated charcoal helps absorb odors and deep-clean the box naturally.

Title

Activated charcoal and warm water can help manage odors and freshen up your cat’s litter box, but it’s not a magic fix. Here’s how to use this method effectively, with a few pro tips to keep things realistic.

Gather your supplies: You’ll need activated charcoal (the kind sold for odor control, not the stuff from your grill), warm water, a scoop, and a clean cloth or sponge. Activated charcoal is a highly porous material that can absorb certain odors from the air and surfaces.

Empty the litter box: Remove all litter and give the box a good shake outside to get rid of loose debris. This step is key—charcoal can’t do much if there’s still old litter clinging to the corners.

Rinse with warm water: Use warm (not hot) water to rinse out the box. This helps loosen any stuck-on bits and preps the surface for a deeper clean. Avoid using boiling water, as it can warp some plastic boxes.

Wipe down the box: Use a clean cloth or sponge to wipe the inside and outside of the box. If you want, you can use a mild, unscented soap, but make sure to rinse thoroughly so no residue is left behind.

Apply activated charcoal: Once the box is dry, you have two options:
- Place a small pouch or sachet of activated charcoal in a corner of the box (outside the litter area, if possible) to help absorb odors over time.
- Alternatively, sprinkle a thin layer of powdered activated charcoal under the fresh litter. Don’t overdo it—a little goes a long way, and too much can make a mess.

Refill with fresh litter: Add your usual litter on top of the charcoal. Scoop daily to keep things as fresh as possible—charcoal can help with odors, but it won’t replace regular cleaning.

Maintain regularly: Replace the charcoal pouch or powder every few weeks, or whenever you notice odors creeping back in. Wash the box with warm water and a cloth at least once a week for best results.

Pro tip: Activated charcoal is great for helping with smells, but it won’t address stains or residue. For those, you’ll still need to scrub and rinse as usual. And always check that your cat is okay with any changes to their litter box routine—some are pickier than others!

Charcoal Saturation Limits

Activated charcoal can only absorb a limited amount of odors and toxins before becoming saturated, reducing its effectiveness. Once saturated, it no longer traps smells, making the DIY cleaning method less effective over time.

Mix equal parts lemon juice and warm water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution inside the cat litter box, let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub and rinse thoroughly. This natural cleaner helps neutralize odors and leaves a fresh scent.

Title

How to Clean a Cat Litter Box with Lemon Juice and Warm Water

Empty the litter box completely. Start by removing all used litter and any solid waste. Dispose of it according to your local guidelines—never flush cat litter down the toilet, as it can clog pipes and isn’t great for water systems.

Rinse out loose debris. Give the box a quick rinse with warm water to get rid of any leftover litter or debris stuck to the bottom or sides. This helps the lemon juice solution work more effectively.

Mix your cleaning solution. Combine about half a cup of lemon juice with a few cups of warm water in a bucket or large bowl. Lemon juice is known for its fresh scent and its ability to help loosen grime, but it’s not a disinfectant. The warm water helps dissolve any stuck-on residue.

Scrub the box thoroughly. Dip a scrub brush or sponge into your lemon-water mix and get to work on all surfaces of the litter box—bottom, sides, and corners. Pay extra attention to any spots with visible buildup or lingering odors. If you see stubborn stains, let the solution sit for a few minutes before scrubbing again.

Rinse well with warm water. After scrubbing, rinse the box thoroughly to remove all traces of lemon juice. Any leftover residue can mix with fresh litter and may bother some cats’ sensitive noses.

Dry completely before refilling. Use a clean towel or let the box air dry. Moisture left behind can cause new litter to clump or stick, so make sure it’s bone dry before adding fresh litter.

Refill with clean litter. Once the box is dry, add your preferred type of cat litter and return the box to its usual spot. Give your cat a little extra praise for their patience—no one likes a bathroom renovation, feline or otherwise.

Material Corrosion Risk

Lemon juice is acidic and can corrode certain metals or damage protective coatings in some litter boxes, especially if not rinsed thoroughly, leading to material degradation and reduced lifespan of the box.

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