DIY solutions for kitty litter box odours

Cats are cute, cuddly and affectionate but that awful litter box smell? It's something else. Once the odour of soiled kitty litter penetrates the bottom of a litter box, it's practically impossible to remove completely. To help keep your kitty's litter box clean and odour-free, here are some easy DIY solutions.

[Photo Credit: iStock.com/ZoranMilisavljevic83]

An aluminum foil odour barrier is easy to make. It's effective, too.

1. Cut a piece of thick cardboard to about the same width and length as kitty's litter box.
2. Cover this homemade liner made from cardboard with heavy-duty aluminum foil.
3. Secure the foil to the cardboard with masking tape and drop it in the empty litter box.
4. Lasly, cover the liner with a fresh layer of litter.

When changing the kitty litter, don't toss out your homemade liner.

• Simply swab the foil with a wet sponge soaked in a solution of two parts vinegar to one part baking soda.

If you treat the liner gently, you should be able to get at least three or four uses out of it.

Although a scientist could best explain to you why the smell of lemon in the air neutralizes unpleasant odours, suffice it to say that lemon gives baking soda a run for the money when it comes to odour control.

To combat odour in the area where the litter box sits:

• Place half a fresh lemon, cut side up, on a saucer and set it on the floor about eight centimetres (a few inches) from the box.
• For really tough odours you can place several lemon halves on a paper plate or try a combo of orange, lemon and lime halves.

If you're buying scented litter or the kind that neutralizes litter box odours, you're probably spending a lot every week on this kitty essential. To help you achieve the same result for less money, here are three tried-and-true suggestions.

1. Add 75 grams (1/3 cup) of baking soda to regular litter and mix well.
2. Sprinkle 75 grams (1/3 cup) of baby powder onto the litter to keep it fresh.
3. Stir a handful of dried parsley or other aromatic dried herb into the litter.

Sounds simple? It is! Does it work? You bet!

Instead of using name-brand or off-brand cleaning products, you can also use one of these kitchen pantry or under-the-sink items to keep a litter box fresh. How? After removing the litter and liner, simply clean the box each week with one of these solutions:

• Vinegar
• Household ammonia
• Lemon oil
• A solution of one part household bleach to 10 parts water

To finish the job properly, rinse the litter box with plain water. Then wipe it dry with a clean cloth before refilling it.