How to Deep Clean a Litter Box for Multiple Cats: Step-by-Step Guide
From the desk of the STRAYZ newsroom: Callie, Seymour, Mama & Yebba & our 2 hoomans Ashley & Alex reporting live!
Published On: 7/31/2025
Last Updated On: 7/31/2025
Letâs cut the fluff, hooman.
If youâve got multiple cats and your litter box smells like regret after day three, itâs not your noseâitâs your system. And donât worryâweâve got the exact process our hoomans use that keeps our house smelling like lavender and victory.
In this blog, youâll get:
Our 8-step deep clean litter box routine
Links to our must-have cleaning products
A free download to help you stay on track
Bonus: zero judgment if youâve been winging it until now
Letâs dive in⌠paws first.
đ˝ Why Multi-Cat Homes Need a Deep Clean Routine
Callie here. I didnât survive the streets of Reading, PA to end up squatting in a stinky box.
When you live with multiple cats, your litter box gets used and abused more often. Scooping helpsâbut every week or two, itâs time to go full send: weâre talking outdoor hose, wipes, enzyme spray, the works.
Hereâs exactly how our hooman gets the job done.
đ§ź The STRAYZ 8-Step Litter Box Deep Clean Routine
Weâve got three litter boxes, 4 cat butts, and zero tolerance for grime. Follow this exact method to win the war on stink:
1. đśââď¸Take the Box Outside
Grab the entire litter boxâlid, scoop, mat and allâand take it outside to your cleaning area. Preferably where neighbors wonât judge.
2. âťď¸ Dump the Litter
Remove all used litter into a garbage bag or compost bin (if your litter is compostable). Donât skip this step. Youâre starting fresh.
We use:
đ Purina Tidy Cats Free & Clear â low dust, no fragrance, and easy on Seymourâs sensitive nose.
3. đ§´ Spray with Enzyme Cleaner
Saturate the inside of the empty box with our favorite:
đ Natureâs Miracle Stain & Odor Remover (Dog Formula)
Yes, it says âdogâ on the bottle.
No, weâre not offended.
This formula is the best for breaking down those stuck-on smells and invisible bacteria that regular soap just doesnât touch.
Let it sit for a few minutes to activate.
4. đ§ť Wipe Down with Scrubbing Wipes
Next, go in with:
đ Natureâs Miracle Litter Box Scrubbing Wipes
Theyâre thick, textured, and paw-fect for getting into corners and crevices.
Pro Tip: Wipe the lid and scoop too. We notice when you half-clean.
5. đŚ Hose It Down
Get your garden hose or pressure washer and blast the box inside and out.
Scrub stubborn spots with a sponge or brush if needed.
Yebba says: âNothing feels more luxurious than fresh airflow through a clean bottom pan.â
6. đ§ź Dry It Completely
Use clean cloth towels or microfiber rags to dry the entire box, scoop, and lid.
No one wants a soggy bottom. Not even Seymour.
7. âŹď¸ Bring It Back Inside & Reassemble
Attach the lid (if applicable) and place it back in its original spotâon top of a litter mat or tray to catch loose pebbles.
Our fave setup:
đ XXL Stainless Steel Litter Box with Lid
Spacious, anti-stink, no grooves, and nearly impossible to stain. Mama calls it âThe Throne.â
8. 𪨠Refill with Fresh Litter
Pour in 3â4 inches of clean litter and gently shake the box to level it out.
Optional: sprinkle a bit of baking soda at the bottom for odor control.
Then waitâŚ
Cue the dramatic slow walk as one of us enters to âchristenâ the fresh pan.
We ALWAYS go first. Itâs tradition.
đĽ Want the Checklist? Get Our FREE Cat Parent Essential Guide
Download your printable checklist + supply list here:
đ Get the Free Cat Parent Guide
Click below to grab every single thing weâve mentionedâbecause if youâre gonna clean, do it right:
đ STRAYZ Litter Box Essentials
âď¸ Natureâs Miracle Wipes
âď¸ Enzyme Spray
âď¸ Stainless Steel XXL Box
âď¸ Tidy Cats Litter
âď¸ Plus bonus tools we love
Every link supports our mission to help rescue cats across PAâand helps Seymour keep his treat drawer stocked.
đž Final Scoop from the STRAYZ Newsroom
Clean boxes = calm cats.
Calm cats = happy homes.
Happy homes = fewer accidents, more cuddles, and less "why does it smell like a diaper pail in here?"
You donât need to be perfectâjust consistent.
And if no oneâs told you lately: your cats see the love behind every scoop, spray, and scrub. đ
Until next time,
Stay clean, stay kind, and always let the cat go first.
Love,
Callie, Seymour, Yebba, and Mama
The Stray Cat News Squad