How to Clean a Cat Tree (and Other Cat Supplies)

1 How to Clean a Cat Tree (and Other Cat Supplies)

I. How to clean a cat tree

1. After long use it gathers cat hair — lift it off with a lint roller or tape.

2. If it gets urine, vomit, or other hard messes, first blot moisture with dry paper, wipe with a damp cloth, then scrub with a soft brush and cleaner, wipe foam and water dry, and finally spray a pet disinfectant and set it in the sun to sanitize.

If it comes apart easily, disassemble and soak the parts in a bucket: wet them, add a chlorine-based household disinfectant (e.g., diluted bleach) or glutaraldehyde for about 20 minutes, rinse well, and sun-dry to kill germs.

That keeps odor and germs down. A cat tree lasts about 2–3 years but longer with care — clean it regularly.

II. How to clean cat toys

For washable toys, soak in water, then in 3–4% hot alkaline water or 0.1% benzalkonium bromide solution, brush, and rinse well. Sun-dry to use UV for extra disinfection and stop microbes or parasites. Disinfect toys at least monthly. You can also spray 0.1% peracetic acid.

For non-washable toys like a teaser wand, spray disinfectant and sun them for UV regularly.

One caution: if you use disinfectant on toys or supplies, rinse thoroughly at the end so no residue remains for the cat to lick and be poisoned. To avoid this, use a pet-safe disinfectant and pick one suited to the item, diluting per the label and controlling frequency. In any case, be careful with household disinfectants around cats to prevent poisoning.

Above are ways to clean the cat tree and cat items. Choose disinfectants wisely and clean correctly to avoid poisoning your cat.