All cat owners know how stinky the litter box can be. It does not seem to matter how often you clean it because as soon as your cat uses it, the smell returns. Luckily, there are ways you can naturally deodorize the litter box with very few materials.
In this article, we will look at easy ways you can make your own deodorizer for your cat’s litter box. These are simple and quick ways to remedy the problem and will come in handy in between litter box cleanings.
The Top 3 DIY Cat Litter Deodorizers
1. DIY Kitty Litter (and Carpet!) Deodorizer From Simple Family Remedies

Materials: | Baking soda, a glass pint jar, 10-30 drops of essential oils |
Difficulty Level: | Easy |
This DIY Cat Litter Deodorizer is a fast and easy way to deodorize your cat litter box. All you need are a few simple ingredients, and you are good to go. It’s important to note that, with this particular plan, getting the correct type of essential oil is crucial to the well-being of your cat. Some oils are harmful to cats, such as citrus oils, so avoid this scent.
Lavender and cedarwood oils are safe for your feline friend and come highly recommended with this DIY plan. To use this plan, simply sprinkle the mixture over a newly cleaned litter box. You can use it daily or every other day. It’s best to initially start with one litter box to get your cat (or cats) used to the scent.
This method is a cheap and easy way to keep your litter box deodorized.
2. Make Your Own Odor Absorber From HomeTalk

Materials: | Small glass jars with lids, baking soda, essential oils, decorative paper of your choice, small pin |
Difficulty Level: | Easy |
This is yet another homemade deodorizer you can make at home for that stinky litter box. This method works well if you do not want to place the mixture into the litter box itself.
The instructions are easy to follow, and you only need a few items. These small jars work well to absorb odor, and you can place them in the room wherever you keep the litter box. Use whatever kind of paper you want for the top, and poke holes so the odor in the room will absorb.
3. 10-Minute DIY Will Solve Your Odor Problems from One Good Thing by Jilllee

Materials: | Baking soda, 1 cup distilled water, 3-4 drops of essential oil (lavender or lemon), silicone mold or muffin pan |
Difficulty Level: | Easy |
This idea from One Good Thing by Jillee is another great way to deodorize the litter box without putting anything directly in it. If you have 10 minutes to spare, this is a neat idea.
The instructions are straightforward, and you can use this for other smelly areas and not just for a smelly litter box. These deodorizing disks can be placed near the litter box; just be sure to keep it out of your cat’s reach.
Other Ways to Reduce Litter Box Smell
Try a Deodorizer
Wondering whether an enzymatic spray or deodorizing powder is better at fighting pet odors? Compare our Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray to our Deodorizer Powder to see which product is best for your deodorizing needs.
Image | Product | Details | |
---|---|---|---|
For Home
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Hepper Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray |
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Check Price |
For Litterbox
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Hepper Advanced Bio-enzyme Deodorizer & Litter Additive |
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Check Price |
Scoop Daily
Scooping once or twice a day will help keep the smells down to a minimum. Clumping cat litter makes it easy to rid the litter box of the smelly stuff, and your cat will be grateful, too.
Replace Litter Regularly
You should replace the litter entirely once a month at a minimum. If you just scoop and replace the litter, bacteria will remain, which in turn will produce unwanted smells that will make you hold your breath.
After disposing of the litter, wash the box with warm soapy water and rinse thoroughly. After it’s completely dry, refill it with litter.
Replace the Litter Box
No matter how much you clean the box, eventually, you will need to replace the box entirely. This, of course, doesn’t apply if you use litter box liners. If you choose not to use liners, you will probably want to replace the box yearly.
Conclusion
The only real downside of owning a cat is the stinky litter box. So, try out one of these DIY litter box deodorizers and keep your home smelling as fresh as possible.
See also:
- Cat Litter Deodorizers VS Baking Soda: Which Works Better?
- Can You Put Baking Soda in Cat Litter? Vet-Reviewed Safety Facts
Featured Image Credit: evakerrigan, Shutterstock
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