Did you know that you can use cat litter for other things than just disposing of cat urine and feces?
If you are wondering how many cat litter uses are there, you’re not alone. That’s a good question and one that warrants an answer.
Cats. They’re cute, fluffy, and a lot of fun to play with or watch on YouTube.
Turns out there are a lot of household uses for kitty litter that have nothing to do with … cat litter.
Kitty litter has hundreds of uses, and it’s good to know some of them, because who knows when they might come in handy.
You do want to be prepared for any scenario.
Kitty litter is great at absorbing moisture. This makes cat litter perfect for all sorts of uses around the house.
If you are curious about these other uses, read on for the fantastic insights.
Hopefully, these other uses for cat litter can help you save money!
What is cat litter?
Cat litter is a material that is used by cat owners in litter boxes to absorb the waste of their pets and control odor.
What is cat litter used for?
It is used in litter boxes to absorb moisture from cat feces and urine, which makes it easier to scoop clumps of feces out of the litter box. Cat litter can be made of clay, silica, wood chips, or paper.
Other Uses for Cat Litter
Some of the best alternative uses for clean cat litter include:
1. Planting Flowers:
You can use equal parts of fresh cat litter and soil when planting flowers. It helps to keep the soil moisture high.
Also, cat litter, when put around the base of plants, help to keep away snails and slugs.
It would be best if you used low dust cat litter for potting plants.
However, used kitty litter cannot be used as a fertilizer. It has a higher percentage of nitrogen than the soil.
Cat litter also contains harmful parasites and organisms that pose a significant danger to the environment.
2. Drying Flowers:
Fresh cut flowers need to be preserved well for them to stay longer. Use an airtight container enough to accommodate the flowers.
Fill an inch of the cat litter boxes with kitty litter. The next step is to place the flowers in the container and seal it up.
Keep the flowers in the dark, dry room. They may stay fresh up to even ten days.
3. Fill holes:
Do you have irritating holes around the house? You can use cat litter to fill holes.
You can also use it to repel mice and moles from your yard.
Do this by spraying a generous amount of cat litter around the mice footpaths in your yard.
4. Deodorize dirty laundry:
One of the best households uses for kitty litter is to deodorize your home from pails of dirty laundry. Do this by adding a tablespoon full of kitty litter to the bottom of the containers. Use kitty litter to absorb moisture.
5. Deodorize musty lockers:
Set a carton of any box filled with kitty litter in a garage, gym locker, or even the closet to have a nice smelling space.
6. Deodorize your fridge:
Cat litter can also serve as a good substitute for baking soda in the fridge as long as you don’t mind the smell of cat food instead of vanilla or lemon.
Just place an open box inside your fridge and it will absorb any unwanted odors.
This is one of the out-of-the-box uses of cat litter to absorb odor.
7. Deodorize your garbage drain:
If you have a smelly garbage disposal, dump some used cat litter down the drain and then run some water through it to clean out any remaining particles.
The cat litter will help deodorize your sink while removing any lingering food particles.
8. Use as filler in garbage containers:
Deodorize your garbage cans by placing a layer of used kitty litter at the bottom of each can. The unused kitty litter should be poured on top of any garbage before the lid goes on.
Sprinkle in the bottom of trash cans to absorb any liquid that may accumulate at the bottom of your trash can (works great if you have pets who like to go dumpster diving).
9. Absorbing oil and removing stains:
Do you have any old stains around? Kitty litter comes in to play a significant role in removing the stains.
Pour a small amount of thinner on the stain and cover it with kitty litter.
Wait for about twelve hours, and voila, it’s gone. You can repeat the procedure on more stubborn stains.
Cat litter is also excellent in absorbing oil. Spread a generous amount of kitty litter and wait for it to absorb the oils. Sweep out the mess or scrub it with soap and water and have a clean, fresh environment.
This works well on fresh spills, not old ones.
10. Save Your Wet Phone:
Have you ever dropped an electronic gadget on water, and wondered what next?
Probably you’ve heard of placing it in a bag of rice, for the water to be absorbed.
Do you know kitty litter works better than rice when dehydrating your phone or any other small electronics?
You need to place your gadget into a piece of cloth and place it into a bag of litter. You can leave it overnight or until all the moisture is gone. This is one of the out-of-the-box uses for cat litter.
11. Get your car unstuck:
Next time your car gets stuck in the mud, add kitty litter to your back and front tires.
This will help you gain traction, making it easier to get out of the ground.
Use it for traction when stuck in the snow or ice too.
12. Get Rid of Foot Odors:
Foot odor is such a turn-off. It makes you feel uncomfortable when it comes to removing your shoes in front of other people.
One of the keys uses for kitty litter is to add a scented kitty litter to make your shoes smell nice. All you need is a cup of kitty litter and a pair of knee-high stockings.
Pour half of the litter into each sock and tie off the ends. Pop each into each shoe and leave overnight. Add an equal amount of baking soda
The litter will absorb all the moisture in the shoes plus any foul odor.
Then, just take them out and wash them. There, your shoes will smell fresh again.
13. DIY crafts:
You can use cat biodegradable litter that is non-toxic. Use it in your crafts that require fillings such as the bean bag seats and cushions.
14. Grill fires:
Is cat litter flammable?
Clay-based kitty litter is not flammable, thus, you can use it to prevent grill fires.
You can do this by lining the grill bottoms with litter; clay kitty litter will absorb grease during grilling. This will help you avoid grill fires.
Only clay-based cat litter can put out a fire since they are non-flammable.
Make sure to change it whenever it is oversaturated. All you should use unscented clay cat litter for this kind of work.
15. Ashtrays:
Do you have an outdoor event that will need ashtrays? Use kitty litter instead of sand or gravel.
Kitty litter absorbs cigarette odors and is much easier to scoop when emptying the trays.
16. Storing camping equipment:
Tents and sleeping bags tend to smell musty if not stored well. To eliminate this order, use a cup of scented kitty litter in an old sock and pack it with the camping equipment.
You can also use this trick for hunting jackets, suitcases, and skis.
For hunting equipment, use unscented cat litter.
17. Freshen Up Vintage Items:
Fill the bottom of an airtight container with litter. Place your books or vintage items on top of the litter and seal it well. Allow it to stay for over 24 hours before you open it, and enjoy the fragrance.
18. Removing old wallpaper:
Trying to remove old wallpaper can be a very difficult task. Who knew that all you needed was cat litter to take it off?
Simply moisten the cat litter with water and press it onto the wallpaper. Then, just peel it off. Voila! Goodbye old wallpaper!
19. Remove stains from carpets:
Does your carpet have a stain? Then simply pour kitty litter on the stain (a layer) and scrub it with a brush. It works as a great carpet cleaner.
20. Cleaning up spills:
Cat litter can help soak up liquid spills on floors and other hard surfaces. Don’t use clay-based cat litter though as it leaves a white residue when wetted.
Use it to clean up vomit or other bodily fluids that may have spilled.
21. Uses for cat litter in the garden:
Cat litter is made from clay and sand, which are great at absorbing moisture. This makes it a good base for your garden.
You can use cat litter to help with drainage in houseplants or to help absorb moisture so you can use less water in house plants that need moist soil.
You can also mix cat litter into your garden soil for better drainage or to add weight to pots and containers so they don’t blow away in the wind.
22. Packaging filler:
Use it as filler in packages you’re shipping to keep things from bouncing around too much during shipment (or use newspaper instead).
23. Ice melt:
Cat litter is great for melting ice on sidewalks and driveways because it doesn’t leave a residue as other ice melt products do.
It’s also inexpensive and won’t harm concrete as rock salt will.
Just scatter a thin layer where you want the ice to melt, and the water will get absorbed by the litter instead of freezing.
24. Putting out fires:
Can cat litter put out a fire? Cat litter can be used to put out small fires by pouring the litter on the unwanted fire.
25. Cat litter as an ice pack:
Fill an old sock with cat litter and tie off the end. Place it in the freezer until you need to wrap it around an injury. The cold, rough texture will ease the pain while drawing out swelling.
26. Cat litter as a fire starter:
When camping, collect pine needles, leaves, or other dry debris and make a ball of cat litter inside the middle of your pile. Light the ball on fire and it will burn long enough to ignite the rest of your kindling stack.
This also works for a fireplace or wood stove at home.
27. Clean paintbrushes:
If you have to store wet paintbrushes for an extended period, soak them in a bucket of cat litter before wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap to prevent bristles from becoming deformed. Leftover paint remnants can damage a brush if not cleaned out.
The kitty litter in your home may be useful for more than just cleaning up after your cat.
28. Great for de-icing your car windows in the winter.
29. Prevent foggy bathroom mirrors after a shower or bath. This is one of the 7 secret uses for cat litter.
30. Keep your hands from freezing when changing a tire in the winter.
31. Mix with concrete for a non-slip surface on sidewalks, patios, or garage floors.
32. Clean soot from fireplace bricks and hearths
Other uses for pine cat litter
Pine Cat Litter may be used for more than just cat litter. The possibilities are endless.
1. Movie Set Decorator:
A pine-scented cat litter can give a natural look to the set. Since cats usually find a nice soft area to do their business, their droppings are kept separate and easy to locate during filming.
2. Aromatherapy:
The smell of pine has been well known in many cultures as a source of relaxation and pleasure. Now you can use Pine Cat Litter to get the same aromatic benefits in your home.
3. Landscaping:
We recommend using Alpo Dog Food or Purina Cat Chow as mulch. However, pine-scented cat litters are becoming popular among landscapers because they offer an earthy aroma while saving water and keeping weeds at bay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use cat litter for anything else?
Yes, cat litter is not limited to cat excrement.
Cat litter is useful for a lot more than just cleaning up after your pet. The absorbent material can be used for a variety of things around the house, including tackling grease stains, getting rid of bad smells, and even unclogging a toilet.
Is used kitty litter good fertilizer?
No, cat litter is not a good fertilizer.
The main ingredient in most commercial cat litter is bentonite clay, which swells up when wet and forms clumps. This is toxic to plants and should never be used in the garden.
Some litters are plant-based from materials such as corn, wheat, or pine. It’s these plant-based litters that are said to be safe for gardens.
Do not use used cat litter as it may contain parasites or bacteria that are harmful to humans. Kitty litter should be disposed of in the trash cans, not used as fertilizer.
Can cat litter be used in the garden?
Clay cat litter made from bentonite, are non-biodegradable, and using it in your garden could harm soil microorganisms.
Avoid using clay-based litter in your garden unless it is organic and free of any added chemicals or scents.
Non-clumping wood pellets made from pine or other woods are safe for use in compost piles or as a fertilizer when mixed with other soil products like grass clippings, manure, leaves, and food scraps.
Wood pellets will break down into the soil quickly and make an excellent source of fiber and nutrients for your plants.
Ps: Don’t add used kitty litter directly into your garden.
Does kitty litter absorb water?
Yes, kitty litter will absorb water. Kitty litter is made from materials like clay and bentonite, both of which are absorbent materials. Clay is a naturally occurring material that can be used to absorb water.
You can use it to absorb water from a spill on the floor, for instance, or craft projects.
To absorb small spills, pour kitty litter onto the spill enough to cover it completely. Let the kitty litter sit for several minutes, then sweep it up with a broom and dustpan.
What is in kitty litter?
There are many types of Kitty Litters on the market, but what are they made of?
Some litters are made from clay, silica, or other natural materials while others are made from artificial materials such as paper or wood chips.
The two most common cat litter ingredients in Kitty Litter are Bentonite and Silica Gel. Bentonite is a type of clay that absorbs liquids.
Silica Gel is a desiccant that absorbs water and moisture.
Some other kitty litter ingredients that may be found in Kitty Litter are Fragrance, Deodorizers, Sodium Bentonite, Zeolite.
What to do with used cat litter?
There are a few options for what to do with used cat litter.
There are a few different ways to dispose of used cat litter, and the best option for you will depend on your location and what is available to you.
- You can put it in the trash bag and throw it away.
- You can bury it in the ground from your garden.
- You can put it in your compost pile.
How does kitty litter work?
Kitty litter is a great invention.
It’s a big help to cat owners, and it works in a pretty simple way.
Kitty litter is designed to absorb liquid and solid waste from cats.
It does this by trapping the solid waste in a clumping material.
The clumping agent is usually sodium bentonite, which swells up when it gets wet and forms thick clumps.
When kitty litter is wet, the clumps get large and heavy, so they can be easily scooped out of the litter box.
Conclusion:
Cat litter is not just for cats anymore.
Aside from its traditional uses, there are lots of other things you can do with it!
There are probably 100 uses for kitty litter that we haven’t even touched on.
Although cat litter is usually used in the cat’s bathroom, a lot of people have innovated and discovered alternative uses for them.
The common misconception is that cat litter is just for cats, however, there are many other uses for this great product.
So these are just some of the many alternative uses for kitty litter.
So next time you’re buying cat litter, think again about your home and the things you use every day.
From this blog what new thing did you learn about what you can do with cat litter?
