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
Let’s cut the fluff, hooman.
If you’ve got multiple cats and your litter box smells like regret after day three, it’s not your nose—it’s your system. And don’t worry—we’ve got the exact process our hoomans use that keeps our house smelling like lavender and victory.
In this blog, you’ll 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 you’ve been winging it until now
Let’s dive in… paws first.
🚽 Why Multi-Cat Homes Need a Deep Clean Routine
Callie here. I didn’t 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 helps—but every week or two, it’s time to go full send: we’re talking outdoor hose, wipes, enzyme spray, the works.
Here’s exactly how our hooman gets the job done.
🧼 The STRAYZ 8-Step Litter Box Deep Clean Routine
We’ve got three litter boxes, 4 cat butts, and zero tolerance for grime. Follow this exact method to win the war on stink:
1. 🚶♀️Take the Box Outside
Grab the entire litter box—lid, scoop, mat and all—and take it outside to your cleaning area. Preferably where neighbors won’t judge.
2. ♻️ Dump the Litter
Remove all used litter into a garbage bag or compost bin (if your litter is compostable). Don’t skip this step. You’re starting fresh.
We use:
🔗 Purina Tidy Cats Free & Clear — low dust, no fragrance, and easy on Seymour’s sensitive nose.
3. 🧴 Spray with Enzyme Cleaner
Saturate the inside of the empty box with our favorite:
🔗 Nature’s Miracle Stain & Odor Remover (Dog Formula)
Yes, it says “dog” on the bottle.
No, we’re not offended.
This formula is the best for breaking down those stuck-on smells and invisible bacteria that regular soap just doesn’t touch.
Let it sit for a few minutes to activate.
4. 🧻 Wipe Down with Scrubbing Wipes
Next, go in with:
🔗 Nature’s Miracle Litter Box Scrubbing Wipes
They’re 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. 💦 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: “Nothing feels more luxurious than fresh airflow through a clean bottom pan.”
6. 🧼 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. ⬆️ Bring It Back Inside & Reassemble
Attach the lid (if applicable) and place it back in its original spot—on top of a litter mat or tray to catch loose pebbles.
Our fave setup:
🔗 XXL Stainless Steel Litter Box with Lid
Spacious, anti-stink, no grooves, and nearly impossible to stain. Mama calls it “The Throne.”
8. 🪨 Refill with Fresh Litter
Pour in 3–4 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 wait…
Cue the dramatic slow walk as one of us enters to “christen” the fresh pan.
We ALWAYS go first. It’s tradition.
📥 Want the Checklist? Get Our FREE Cat Parent Essential Guide
Download your printable checklist + supply list here:
👉 Get the Free Cat Parent Guide
Click below to grab every single thing we’ve mentioned—because if you’re gonna clean, do it right:
👉 STRAYZ Litter Box Essentials
✔️ Nature’s Miracle Wipes
✔️ Enzyme Spray
✔️ Stainless Steel XXL Box
✔️ Tidy Cats Litter
✔️ Plus bonus tools we love
Every link supports our mission to help rescue cats across PA—and helps Seymour keep his treat drawer stocked.
🐾 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 don’t need to be perfect—just consistent.
And if no one’s told you lately: your cats see the love behind every scoop, spray, and scrub. 💛
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
