NEVER Clean the Litter Box Like This (The Old Mexican Way), by Lupe Santos on YouTube. 12 min 43 s.
- Video length
- 12 min 43 s
- Time to do it
- 15 minutes a day plus a monthl
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Count your cats and set out one box per cat plus one extra. Two cats means three boxes. Spread them around the home rather than lining them up in one room.
Fill each box with 2 to 3 inches of plain unscented clumping litter. Skip perfumed litters, crystals and deodorizers, since scent covers the problem instead of removing it.
Scoop solid waste and clumps at least twice a day, morning and evening. Fresh waste barely smells. It is waste left sitting that turns into ammonia.
Stir the litter after scooping so clean litter comes to the top, then top up to the 2 to 3 inch line. Keep the level steady so clumps do not stick to the bottom.
Sprinkle a light layer of baking soda over the litter after scooping. Do not dump in half the box. A thin dusting is enough to help with odor.
Place boxes away from food, water and noisy appliances, in quiet spots the cat can reach easily. Put a litter mat at each entrance to catch tracked litter.
Once a month, empty the whole box. Wash it with mild unscented soap and warm water, rinse well, and let it dry fully in the sun if you can.
Refill with fresh litter and start the daily scooping again. Replace plastic boxes when they get scratched and hold odor, usually once a year or so.
Watch for changes. If a cat avoids the box, strains, or the smell changes suddenly, call your vet. That is a health question, not a cleaning problem.
Tips and common mistakes
Scooping twice a day does more for smell than any scented product you can buy.
Never use bleach or strong cleaners in the box. Cats dislike the smell and may stop using it.
Wash your hands after handling litter, and keep the box away from pregnant people and young children where possible.
If one box is always ignored, try moving it to a quieter, more private spot before buying anything new.
Questions
How often should I fully change the litter?
Empty and wash the box about once a month, or sooner if it still smells after scooping. Top up daily in between.
Does baking soda really help with litter box smell?
A light dusting can help absorb odor, but it is no substitute for scooping. Fix the daily habit first.
Why does my house still smell if I scoop every day?
Check the number of boxes and their placement. Too few boxes or boxes in damp, closed spaces keep odor trapped.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
