Cats are finicky creatures. And when it comes to their litter, they can be downright particular. If you’re not using all of the cat litter that you’ve bought, storing it correctly is key to keeping it fresh and usable the next time around. This article will discuss how to store unused cat litter. Read on For
Unused cat litter can be stored in several different ways. How you keep it depends on what type of litter and how much of it you have leftover after using the litter and its initial storage.
Contents
A Detailed Guide on How to Store Unused Cat Litter
Step 1: Determine How Much Unused Cat Litter You Have
The next step is to figure out how much dry cat litter you will need to store your used litter so it doesn’t absorb any moisture from the air. A general rule of thumb is to use around three parts dry cat litter for each part of used, moistened cat litter.
This can be done by making two cuts about three inches apart on either side of the bag’s seal. Once the seal has been breached, it should be easy to remove any remnants clinging to it and safely dispose of them alongside your used litter box contents. It would help if you now had an exact measurement of how much-unused litter you have.
Step 2: Calculate How Much Drier Cat Litter You Will Need
You will need to figure out how much cat litter you have. Most brands are sold in sealed plastic bags. To get an exact measurement, use a pair of scissors or another sharp implement to carefully cut the top off the bag without spilling any litter inside.
To determine the amount of Dreier cat litter you will need, take the total amount of used, dirty cat litter you currently have and divide it by three. This number will give you the necessary amount to cover one-third of your container at a time if packed tightly. For example, if you have 4 cups of used cat litter, you will need approximately 1.3 cups of dry cat litter to store your used litter in.
Step 3: Find the Right Container
The best way to store this is in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. This will prevent mold growth and keep the mixture fresh.
Some exceptionally sturdy plastic containers come with their lids and may even include vents that can be opened or closed depending on how much airflow is required when storing wet cat litter. If none of these options are readily available, one can always improvise by keeping the used cat litter in an airtight plastic bag that has been punctured with holes to allow for airflow. Properly sealing any improvised containers must be done carefully not to spill any contents inside.
Step 4: Loosen Up, Wet Down, Mix, and Pack Tight
After you have determined how much dry Dreier cat litter you will need for this purpose, it is time to begin mixing your old dirty kitty litter with its new moist partner. Begin by loosening up all of the clumps of used cat litter so that they are broken down into small pieces while wetting them down slightly at the same time. You may want to do this with a garden hoe or pitchfork. Next, add the dry cat litter and mix it in well with the used cat litter.
This will help them mix more easily with their fresh new Dreier partners, who will need to be packed tightly so that they do not fall through the cracks. Mix the old and new cat litters until you have formed a uniform color, then begin packing it tightly into your airtight storage container.
Step 5: Let it Dry and Howl.
Once you have packed the container tightly with used kitty litter and Dreier cat litter, it is time to let it dry for at least 24 hours before using. During this time, the two litters should form a hard seal that will protect your old dirty cat litter from absorbing any moisture from the air or spilling out into your house.
Howling is an optional step where you allow your new partners to mix their scents more thoroughly, making them familiarize themselves more quickly with each other. Howling is typically done by squeaking the top of the storage container or shaking it around while transferring its contents back into your clean litter box. Howling does not always need to be done every time you store dirty cat litter and can be skipped sometimes with no ill effects to the process.
Step 6: Store Cat Litter in a Vacuum
Some people don’t want to bother finding a suitable container or worrying about spillage, so they choose to use a vacuum sealer instead. If you have access to this kind of equipment, it is much simpler to go ahead and plug in your machine, put the dirty cat litter inside, and suck out all the air.
Howling isn’t necessary when using a vacuum sealer since there are no cracks for anything to fall through. After you have successfully sucked out all of the air, your cat litter will remain dry indefinitely until you are ready for it again. How you go about storing cat litter in a vacuum should be determined by the specific instructions for your machine. These steps will help in how to store unused cat litter.
Tips and Warnings
Tips
- Use a sealable container that your cat won’t easily be able to get into. If your cat can quickly get into the stored litter, you will have a mess on your hands.
- Make sure the storage area doesn’t have a strong odor before storing it. Strong odors could make your stored litter smell bad and encourage your cat not to use it when you try to re-introduce it to them. This is especially important if you plan on using this method for more than just a few days.
- Unused clay-based clumping kitty litters typically stay much longer than other types of cat litter because, when they dry out, they become even more absorbent and harden, much like cement.
- Store Cat Litter in a Vacuum Sealer If you have a vacuum sealer, you can place the used litter in the machine and use it the same way as regular plastic bags. Then, you can store it out of your cat’s reach until you are ready to use it again.
- How to Use it Again If you have stored your litter in a sealed bag, you should let it air out a bit before introducing it back into the cat’s litter box. Cat litters that have been exposed to moisture may clump when they dry, which could make for some problematic cleanup on your part if your cat starts using its old litter box.
Warnings
- Do not store your cat’s litter in an airtight container, like a jar or tub with a lid. This will typically result in the accumulated junk having an overpowering ammonia smell.
- If you store your litter for too long, it can grow toxic bacteria. You should use common sense here and only keep the litter if you know that you will be using it again within a few days.
How Can I Make My Cat Litter Last Longer?
Once you have purchased your cat litter, it is essential to store it properly to make the product last as long as possible.
It is best to buy only what you need for at least three months, depending on how many cats you have. The kitty litter box should also be scooped daily and completely replaced every 2 or 3 weeks. This will ensure that all contents are fresh and absorbing when your cats use the box. Allow any sand-like substance to build up in the bottom of the pan. Your furry feline friends will likely avoid using their kitty sandbox altogether because they won’t like stepping into a dirty area or having sand stuck between their toes.
Once you have purchased a large bag of cat litter, it is best to transfer the contents into a clean, dry container with a tight-fitting lid. A re-sealable plastic storage bin or an empty food storage container will work well as no odors are coming from the lid or sides. It’s also essential to keep the litter sealed tightly. Many cats don’t like scented litter and may try to cover their smells by adding other fragrances from outside sources, such as perfumes, air fresheners, and candles. These aromas can be overwhelming for your feline friends and may repel them from using the kitty sandbox.
Conclusion
It’s essential to know how to store unused cat litter properly so that it doesn’t harm your home. Consider these tips for storing new kitty litter, and make sure you’re doing everything in your power to keep the cats happy at home!
