Add baking soda to the litter: Surprisingly, baking soda is a great all-natural deodorizer that is both safe for cats and can help manage the litter box smell.
There are many DIY litter options that are tried and tested. Mixtures of chicken feed, baking soda and cedar shavings (great for absorption, but it does attract rodents!) or dish soap, water, shredded paper, and baking soda (Usually items you already have, but takes a long time) are just a few combinations.
The "why" behind baking soda's successful absorption of odors has more to do with chemistry than anything else, says Alex Reed, the co-founder of Truman's: "Most smells are acidic in nature, and baking soda can be a pH neutralizer." Simply put, the chemicals in baking soda are perfect at neutralizing the acids that ...
By mixing a little bit of baking soda with the litter, you can help absorb any urine odors also.
Be patient: While baking soda can absorb heavy smells like burnt, fried, and spoiled food, it can take several days to make a noticeable difference.
How Often Should You Change the Cat Litter? If you use a clumping litter, it's best to scoop the box daily and change it out completely at least monthly. If you have more than one cat, it may be best to change the cat litter more often, every 2-3 weeks.
When urea, the main component of urine, decomposes, the highly volatile ammonia is released, and as cats have higher levels of urea than dogs, or even humans, this is multiplied in the litter tray. Humans can detect ammonia at very small concentrations, and it has a particularly fishy smell.
Use scent deterrents
Try orange and lemon peels, cayenne pepper, coffee grounds, lavender oil, lemon grass oil, citronella oil, peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, and mustard oil. You can either sprinkle drops directly onto your flower beds or soak a cotton wool around it and place at entry points.
Cats, because of their extremely keen sense of smell, are often put off by scented litters and perfumed environments.” Your cat's sense of smell is really the key to the decision of whether to use a litter with or without fragrances.
Cleaning the area thoroughly with vinegar first and then applying an enzyme treatment will break down and evaporate the uric acid and your home will be free of cat odors. Vinegar and enzyme cleaners work on all surfaces: hardwood floors, carpets, mattresses.
“In between wet shampoos, baking soda may be used for dry shampooing dogs and cats,” says Pickard. “Start by brushing your pet to remove any dirt or loose hair. You may want to do the next step outside. Rub baking soda into your pet's fur and massage it into their skin, making sure not to set it into their eyes.
Several products can help neutralize cat pee odor, including vinegar or baking soda and enzymatic cleaners.
Unopened, baking soda will remain shelf stable until the best-by date on the box, generally 2 years. Once opened, a box of baking soda or baking powder should be used within six months. Not because it becomes stale or moldy, but because it loses its potency and power.
Scoop waste daily. How often you replace the litter depends on the number of cats you have, the number of litter boxes and the type of litter you use. Twice a week is a general guideline for replacing clay litter, but depending on your circumstances, you may need to replace it every other day or only once a week.
For the most part, all experts agree…the litter box should be scooped 1-2 times each day. “Litter boxes should be scooped at least once or twice a day, and it's even better if you can get to it as soon as your cat has finished his business,” said By Dr. Stephanie Janeczko in this featured post on Petfinder.
“Cats will sometimes jump into the litter boxes and often use them while, and right after, their people have scooped them,” says Marilyn Krieger, certified cat behavior consultant. “Cats love clean litter boxes, ones that are freshly scooped and don't smell of excrement.
But if you're ever in a bind and wondering if you can use rice as kitty litter, the answer is yes!
Potting Mix (or garden soil) is actually a very natural product for cats to use instead of a litter tray! Many cats choose to do a complex contortionist act in order to poo and pee into pot plants!
Corn-based Cat Litter
Corn-based cat litter is made from corn kernels or corn cobs. It is septic and sewer safe making disposal easier. Corn-based cat litter is also 99% dust-free and safe for kittens, cats prone to infection, cats with respiratory problems, and cats recovering from surgery.
Millions of people keep a box of baking soda in the refrigerator and freezer to help keep them from smelling stale. But that little orange box, shaker container, or 3.5 lb. pouch contains a multi-purpose substance you can use to clean and deodorize all kinds of items and areas.
Baking soda, unlike most commercial air fresheners, doesn't mask odors, “it absorbs them," says Mary Marlowe Leverette, a home economist and blogger. Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate in a convenient box) neutralizes stubborn acidic odors -- like those from sour milk -- as well as other funky smells lurking in your home.
You already know that baking soda removes odors, but there may be a few places you never considered using it for a refresh. Try these baking soda odor removing hacks to get your home smelling fresh and clean the easy way.