Cat litter dust can easily make its way onto your floor and is part of owning a cat, so learning how to clean cat litter dust from floor is crucial.
The best method for removing cat litter dust is to first use a vacuum carefully to remove as much loose litter as possible. After this, a baking soda paste made from baking soda and vinegar can be applied to remove any stubborn litter afterwards.
This isn’t the only method, however, and it can depend on the type of floor that you have as well. So keep reading to discover all the methods you can use, as well as some tricks for preventing litter in the first place and what can happen if you ignore it.
Does The Type Of Litter Matter?
There are lots of types of cat litter ranging from your traditional clay litter all the way to silica gel, but in this case, we are only focused on the dust.
In terms of cat litters that produce dust, they will all be able to be removed by our methods below. If you have a different type of litter the odds are that it produces very little dust and therefore it wouldn’t be an issue for you.
Cleaning Cat Litter Dust From Hard Floors – Hardwood, Vinyl, Laminate, Etc
Hard floors such as hardwood, vinyl and laminate are all suited to be cleaned with distilled white vinegar and baking soda, which is a great combination that will not only remove cat litter dust but also give the surface below a thorough clean.
It is also highly likely that you have both of these at home anyway, which is why we recommend it so highly.
For this method, you will need a couple of things:
- Baking Soda
- Distilled White Vinegar
- Vacuum Cleaner with Suitable Attachment
- Non-abrasive Brush
- Small Container
- Gloves
- Mask
- Dishcloth
Once you’ve got these together it’s time to jump into the steps
Put On The Mask And Gloves
The first thing to do is to put on a pair of gloves and a face mask.
Dust can become airborne very easily, and during this method you will be getting quite close to the floor, so you will want to wear these.
Vacuum The Area
Start by carefully vacuuming to pick up any loose dust, using a floor-friendly attachment.
This is the easiest way to remove the majority of dust.
Apply The Solution
Mix one part baking soda with two parts vinegar in a small container as required, and then apply this solution to the remaining dust and leave it to settle for up to 5 minutes.
Scrub And Remove
After the time is up use the scrubber to gently scrub the floor to remove any stubborn dust.
The vinegar and baking soda solution should have gotten rid of any harsh smells, and your floor should look like new once you’ve finished this step.
After scrubbing thoroughly wipe away the remaining solution using a clean dishcloth and rinse this through with water to repeat until it has all been removed.
Cleaning Cat Litter Dust From Carpet
For a start, we highly recommend placing your cat litter tray away from the carpet because it is much harder to get all of the dust out of it.
If you have faced this issue however you will need to know how to get it cleaned up, so we’ve got you covered. For this method, you will need a few things:
- Baking Soda
- Vacuum Cleaner
- Carpet Cleaning Machine or Carpet Shampoo
- Mask and Gloves (optional)
To clean cat litter dust start by vacuuming the area thoroughly. It may be difficult to push at first, but be patient at this stage. A mask and gloves are optional for this method, but you can wear them if you prefer.
After this sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the entire area and leave this overnight. In the morning, vacuum again to remove all of the baking soda.
Once this is done, use a carpet cleaning machine to thoroughly clean the entire area and then leave it to dry. If you don’t have access to a machine you can use a regular carpet shampoo and follow the instructions on the label to clean it.
What Problems Can Cat Litter Dust Cause To A Floor?
Cat litter dust can cause some problems for your floor, especially if you leave it for a long period of time.
These problems are mainly due to the urine content found within the dust, as the most common types of cat litter turn to dust as they absorb cat urine.
Mold
Cat urine, just like dog urine in carpets, can cause mold if left for extended periods of time.
This can become even more likely if your cat’s litter tray is not cleaned regularly and there are traces of faeces found in the dust as well. The amount of bacteria found within a cat litter tray is quite startling and a breeding ground for bacteria if not regularly cleaned.
Stains
If you leave cat dust saturated with urine on a surface for a long time it can actually leave some stain marks.
This is more common on floors that haven’t been sealed properly, but it can also happen on those that are properly sealed if the dust is left for a long time.
Odor
All cat owners can agree that a litter tray does not smell particularly nice, and the smell will only get stronger if you allow the dust to sit on your floor for extended periods of time.
This is one of the reasons why we recommend baking soda when it comes to cat urine due to its odor-neutralising capabilities.
Scratches
Have you ever noticed your cat scratching around the outside of its litter tray?
This is much less common, but cats will sometimes scratch the floor around their tray and even more so if it is covered in dust. This can lead to scratches on the floor which will require a lot more effort to put right, especially on floors such as hardwood.
When To Call A Professional
In the case of carpets, you may need to call a professional if the litter tray has been neglected and left on a carpet for a long period of time.
Cat urine will soak into the padding and subfloor which can cause mold and a host of other issues. At this stage, a carpet cleaning professional will need to take a look properly to assess the damage and see whether the carpet can be saved or not.
Hard floors like hardwood and laminate will be able to withstand more neglect, but if there are clear gaps in the floor or signs of moisture damage underneath such as cupping then it might be time for a professional to take a look.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to learning how to clean cat litter dust from the floor it can be challenging, but hopefully, you have all the knowledge you need from reading this article.
If you have any other methods that you have tried with success then don’t hesitate to get in touch.