How to Clean Cat Houses

A cat house protects outside cats from rain and snow.

Cat houses provide your feline companion a place to go and feel safe. They protect outdoor cats from the elements and provide a hiding place for indoor cats. Just like a cat's litter box, cat houses need regular cleaning. Otherwise, the bacteria that build inside make it an inhospitable place for the cat to be, posing potential health risks. Cleaning a cat house requires little more than soap, water and spray cleaner with bleach. Once the cat house is clean, it will make for a happier, healthier kitty environment.

Things You'll Need

• Washing machine
• Laundry detergent
• Liquid dish detergent
• Bucket
• Rag
• Spray cleaner with bleach

Instructions

1. Open the cat house. Depending on the type of house you have, this process varies. If the top comes off, remove that. If the house is an inverted plastic storage bin with a door cut in it, turn it over.

2. Remove any toys or bedding inside. Wash them thoroughly using the washing machine and dryer. Use the hottest cycle possible. This will kill any fleas on the items. Discard any debris found in the house, such as leaves, feces or insects.

3. Mix together liquid dish detergent and hot water in a large bucket. Use enough detergent to make the water sudsy. If possible, use a dish detergent that is anti-bacterial.

4. Soak an old rag or sponge in the soapy, hot water. Scrub the inside of the cat house with it. Scrub the walls, ceiling and floor. Rinse the rag as needed in the soapy water.

5. Rinse the inside of the house with clean water to remove any soap residue. Do this either using a hose, a bucket of clean water or a rag soaked in clean water.

6. Spray the inside of the cat house with a spray cleaner with bleach. Alternatively, use a rag soaked in bleach if you do not have spray cleaner. The bleach kills bacteria. Leave the house to dry completely.

7. Put the clean bedding and toys back in the house. Close the cat house by replacing the top or turning it back over.

8. Repeat cleanings every one to two weeks.

Tips & Warnings

• Wash all rags used for cleaning the cat house separate from other laundry. Use bleaching when washing to kill any bacteria on the rags.

References

• Tipnut: How to Clean a Litter Box