How to Sanitize a Litter Box Without Bleach

Cat lovers have one chore associated with maintaining a clean, sanitary house for themselves and their beloved kitties that is most unpleasant-cleaning the litter box. You can clean a litter box without bleach, and still be sure that it is germ and bacteria free. Hydrogen peroxide is a fantastic oxidant that kills these nasties, and gets rid of that litter box smell. Bleach is a caustic acid, and is harmful to people and pets.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Latex or rubber gloves
• Plastic bag for used litter
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Sink or garden hose

1. Put on the gloves, and dump the used litter into the plastic bag and discard.
2. Take the dirty litter box outside or put in your shower or bathroom sink.
3. Add some water and rinse well. If you are doing this inside, make sure that the litter is either flushable or the litter box is completely free of litter.
4. Add about four ounces of hydrogen peroxide, and swish it around in the litter box to make sure that the sides of the box have contact with the hydrogen peroxide.
5. After a few minutes of swishing, dump the peroxide down the drain, or if you are outside, dump it and dilute the peroxide with water from the hose. Rinse the litter box well, and dry it with a paper towel, or a rag.

Tips & Warnings

• Clumping litter is harder to get out of the box than regular clay litter. If you use clumping litter, spray the bottom of the litter box with a pressurized cooking oil first, so the litter will not cement itself to the bottom of the box.
• Run plenty of water down your drain if you are doing this chore in the shower or in a sink in case there was a bit of litter debris left in the litter pan.
• Do not use peroxide that is stronger than 3%. Hydrogen peroxide is a strong oxidant, and strong peroxide can actually burn the skin.
• Hydrogen peroxide is actually good for the soil because it releases oxygen that plants can use. Make sure that you dilute it well, however, because it can burn them.