Cat trees are indispensable cat furniture for cats. Cats’ scratching nature can damage your valuable furniture unless you get them a cat tree.
However, cat trees need to be cleaned just like other cat supplies. Lots of cat owners are not sure about how to clean a cat tree properly. We’ve put together a step-by-step guide to help you keep your cat tree clean and get the most out of it in the process.
Reasons to Clean A Cat Tree
- Prevent Parasites: Cleaning your cat tree regularly can eliminate potential breeding grounds for parasites like fleas and ticks, protecting your cat’s health and preventing household infestations.
- Odor Control: Accumulation of bacteria, urine, and feces can cause your cat tree to develop an unpleasant odor. Cleaning helps eliminate these odors and keeps your space fresh.
- Prevents Allergies&Respiratory Problems: An unclean cat tree can accumulate dust and dander, which can trigger allergies in cats or humans. Regular cleaning helps reduce the risk.
- Prolonged Lifespan: Regular maintenance can extend the life of your cat tree by reducing dirt and the potential for it to cause deterioration.
Tools You’ll Need
- Screwdriver
- Rubber gloves
- Microfiber cloth
- Replacement scratching post (optional)
- Vacuum with attachment
- Lint roller
- Disinfectant spray (which is safe for cats)
- Enzyme cleaner (optional)
Steps to Cleaning Your Cat Tree
1. Remove Accessories
Start by removing any toys, blankets, perching mats, or other accessories from the cat tree to make cleaning easier.
2. Disassemble the Whole Tree
When you break the entire cat tree into parts, you can better clean all the nooks and crannies of the cat tree.
Generally, cat trees can be disassembled with bare hands, or you can use a screwdriver (a tool provided by the merchant) to disassemble them. (Note: If you are concerned that you will not be able to reassemble the cat tree, you can skip this step.)
3. Vacuum Surfaces
Use a vacuum cleaner to remove loose debris, fur, and dust from the surface of all parts of the cat tree. To clean the surface of debris and cat hair completely, You will want to repeat vacuuming several times.
4. Remove Hidden Cat Hair
A vacuum cleaner can only remove cat hair that is floating on the surface. You will need to prepare other tools that can remove cat hair deeply to help you remove it completely. For example, tools like Lint remover, or lint roller.
5. Apply Disinfectant
It is a good idea to wear rubber gloves before using chemicals such as disinfectants. The easiest way to choose a disinfectant is to simply buy one that is non-toxic and harmless to pets.
Spray directly onto the area to be cleaned and let sit for a few minutes. If you notice some particularly prominent stains on your cat tree, you can spot-clean them.
6. Use Enzymatic Cleaners (optional)
Enzyme cleaners are optional, but choose cat-friendly ones if you need them.
You don’t want your cat tree to have a bad cat urine smell, right? If your cat is in heat, there’s a chance that there’s some smell on your cat tree.
Use an enzymatic cleaner to clean the urine area. Just spray onto the surface, rub it in with a soft-bristle brush, and let it sit for a few minutes.
7. Air Dry
Damp fabrics can lead to mold or bacteria. Allow the cat tree to dry completely before letting your cat use it again.
8. Replace Scratching Post (optional)
Maybe the sisal or jute has fallen out of shape cause your cat tree has been used for a long time. You can ask your supplier if they have individual replacement posts available for purchase.
9. Reassembling
Once the cat tree is completely dry, reattach any accessories and return it to its original location in your home.
Conclusion
Congratulation! You now know how to give your cat tree a thorough cleaning.
Regular cleaning of your cat tree is crucial for both cats and cat owners. By following these simple steps and using safe cleaners, you can ensure your cat tree remains perfect for years to come!
FAQs about Cat Tree Cleaning
How often should I clean my cat tree?
For surface cat hair cleaning, we recommend cleaning once a week. Also, It is recommended to thoroughly clean your cat tree once a month to prevent the build-up of dirt and allergens. However, if you have multiple cats, and your cat tree gets heavy use, you may need to clean it more frequently.
My cat tree has sisal scratching posts. How do I clean them?
If the sisal scratching post is still intact, you can gently scrub it with a soft-bristled brush to remove surface debris and cat hair. Otherwise, we recommend you replace them with some new scratching posts.
Can I use bleach to clean my cat tree?
It is highly discouraged to use bleach or other harsh chemicals on cat trees as they can be toxic to cats. Choose pet-safe cleaners that are specially formulated for use around pets.
Can I use baking soda to clean the cat tree?
Yes. But remember, baking soda can only remove odors, not stains.
How should I clean a cat tree from fleas?
When you find that your cat scratches its body frequently, you need to be alert to whether there are fleas on the cat tree! You can use pet-safe flea treatment sprays. Apart from this, use the steam cleaning method to clean your cat tree.