I will be in the near future doing a more in-depth series on all natural cleaning products you can use safely around your pets when cleaning all of your home, but I thought this litter box series wasn't complete without discussing the need to stop cleaning your litter boxes with toxic products!  The reason what you use to clean the litter box with is very important to consider is that your cat uses their litter box multiple times per day, so whatever you clean their litter box with they are exposed to by getting onto their feet while using the box, and then licking off themselves during grooming time.  While many cleaners promise to rid 99/9% of germs, and this makes us as humans feel good that we are keeping our kitty safe by keeping things "clean" the fact of the matter is that cats bodies are very durable and can handle the bacterial load which grooming themselves exposes them to on a daily basis, and they simply do not need a sterile litter box, they simply need a maintained, clean box.  The negative health effects of them and YOU using and breathing, and ultimately ingesting chemical toxins which are needed for a sterile litter box are an unnecessary health risk.  
 
When it comes to cleaning the litter box, or your home for that matter, my rule of thumb is - If it is not safe for your pet to swallow, then it is not safe to clean with because ultimately the will swallow everything we clean with!
 
One natural solution is pictured here, a simple combo of vinegar and water.

1️. Empty the Litter Box of all litter. 2️. Pour Vinegar into the litter box, enough to coat the bottom. 
3️. Do not forget your litter box scoop, place that into the box with vinegar.
4️. Add about 1/2 cup of baking soda to the vinegar, this creates a simple, natural reaction which helps to sanitize the box.
5️. Add some water to the box to fill it to the top and let soak for 1-2 hours.
6️. Use a natural fiber scrubber to scrub out the box and scoop, do not use a metal scrubber as it will gouge plastic litter boxes allowing spaces for harmful pathogens to potential build-up. 
7️. Rinse box thoroughly and hand-dry with a towel/rag or let air dry.

 
Other good options are to use a peroxide and water solution, or also a natural dish soap or hand soap from a brand like www.branchbasics.com

April Arguin  A.S., C.P.N., P.M.H.

ReNewedPet.com