How To Clean & Disinfect A Used Cat Tree

In the best-case scenario, your pet will find a used cat tree unattractive because it smells of other felines. In the worst-case scenario, your cat might become sick or contract parasites.

How to best clean a cat tree depends on its material. The short instruction is to remove fur from the tree, get rid of stains, wash carpets and covers, eliminate the odor, and disinfect it.

While it may seem daunting, cleaning and disinfecting your cat’s tree doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. With a little effort and the right products, you can make a used cat tree safe and fresh in no time.

What You’ll Need

Start by gathering your supplies. You’ll need several buckets of water, a brush or sponge, tissues or clean towels, and a lint roller or vacuum cleaner. You will also need dish soap, pet-friendly detergent, or mild soap without fragrance.

For disinfection, use baking soda, vinegar, or hydrogen peroxide diluted with water. The best cleaner for cat pee and vomit stains is enzymatic cleaner, but vinegar will also do the job.

Remove The Fur

Before throwing the cat tree covers in the washer, remove any remaining fur. Firstly, it might carry harmful bacteria. Secondly, too much hair can damage your washing machine.

We recommend using a lint roller to remove the fur from your used cat tree. Ensure the tree is dry because wet hair won’t stick to the lint roller as it’s heavy.

Next, slowly roll the lint roller over the tree in a back-and-forth motion. Start at the top of the tree and work your way down for the best results. Once you have finished, dispose of the fur.

A scrub brush will also do the job if there isn’t too much fur. You will have to wash the covers afterward, so there is no problem if a few hairs are left. Most importantly, there shouldn’t be clumps of fur.

Alternatively, you can use a vacuum cleaner for quicker results. A vacuum cleaner is better suitable for long fur. Use a dust brush that effectively removes debris from hard-to-reach places.

Wash The Carpets & Covers

After removing old fur from the cat tree, wash the carpets and covers on the base and cushions. If the covers are removable, you’re lucky. Even better if they are washing-machine friendly.

If the covers are removable and you can wash them in a machine, turn them inside out and close the zipper to avoid damaging the fabric. Then, pour pet-friendly detergent into the washing machine and pick a suitable temperature setting.

The temperature depends on the fabric, but cat cushions are rarely delicate. You can safely use temperatures around 100 degrees Fahrenheit to eliminate stains effectively.

If the fabric can handle higher temperatures, take advantage of it to eliminate bacteria and parasites. You can also add a bit of hydrogen peroxide to the water for disinfection.

If the covers aren’t removable or machine-washable, use lukewarm water and pet-friendly soap without fragrance. Let the covers soak in the soap for 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how dirty they are.

Then, rinse the fabric thoroughly, ensuring no soap is left. Let the covers air-dry in a well-ventilated space. If the covers are dryer-friendly, you can cut the drying times, but don’t throw delicate fabrics in the machine.

Choose a detergent without fragrance because cats have a significantly stronger sense of smell than humans. Your pet might find eucalyptus or lavender odor repulsive.

You can steam or iron the covers after washing to make them look better, removing wrinkles.

Get Rid of Stains

Some stains may be too persistent for regular detergent. In that case, you can use baking soda or vinegar. Since vinegar is a natural cleaner, it’s safe for your cat and will not cause severe adverse reactions.

Mix one part of white vinegar with two parts of water. Apply the mixture to the affected areas of the cat tree and allow it to sit for a few minutes. Then, blot with a tissue and let it dry.

Note that vinegar can irritate your cat’s skin or eyes, so ensure it doesn’t come close while you’re cleaning. Alternatively, mix one cup of baking soda with half a cup of water and repeat the same steps.

If you tried to remove stains using soap, soda, and vinegar and neither helped, you can try using a commercial cleaner that is designed to remove pet organic matter stains from fabrics.

The best way to get rid of cat pee stains is by using an enzymatic solution. Enzymes are proteins that speed up chemical reactions, making organic matters like urine, skin oils, and vomit break down faster.

You can find an enzymatic cleaner in most pet stores or online. Apply it to the affected area and let it sit for 15-20 minutes. Then, blot the area with a tissue and let it air-dry.

Enzymatic cleaners work equally well for vomit, poo, and other organic stains. Use white vinegar and water solution if the cat tree has grass stains. Don’t scrub the spot because it will only become more persistent.

Disinfect

It is important to disinfect the used cat tree because it may be contaminated with bacteria or other microorganisms that can cause disease. If the tree is not properly disinfected, your cat may become sick.

For example, feline infectious peritonitis virus particles survive on surfaces for months. The virus is extremely dangerous and has an over 90% mortality rate, so it’s best to spend some time on disinfection than risk your cat’s health.

Some parasites might also be left in the tree, either in areas you haven’t washed or cushion cover stitches. Regular washing at medium temperatures won’t get rid of parasite eggs.

The easiest way to disinfect a used cat tree is by wiping it down with a disinfectant spray. If the tree is made of porous materials, such as wood, you may need to soak it in a disinfectant solution for a few minutes before wiping it down.

If you want to use a diluted bleach solution, remove all of the cat’s toys and climbing accessories from the tree. Next, mix one part bleach with ten parts water in a bucket.

Use a sponge or cloth to wipe down the tree, focusing on any areas that look dirty or have been scratched by the cat. Wipe the tree with a clean damp cloth and allow it to air dry.

Don’t forget about hard-to-reach spaces. Ideally, you should take the tree apart, provided you can assemble it back afterward.

You can also steam the covers and carpets for extra safety to eliminate remaining germs. Steaming also helps eliminate wrinkles on fabric, making the cat tree look more appealing.

Get Rid Of Smell

Washing the covers is sufficient to eliminate another cat’s smell on the cushions. However, odors may be left on the scratching area or wooden parts.

The best way to eliminate the smell of a used cat tree is to clean it with vinegar and water solution. The vinegar solution effectively neutralizes odors, but it can be too harsh for wood when undiluted.

Plus, the smell of undiluted vinegar is too strong even for humans, and your cat will certainly find it repulsive.

You can spray the solution on the tree and leave it for some time before wiping it off. Alternatively, you can apply the mixture with a damp cloth. The cat tree doesn’t have to soak in vinegar – a thin coat is sufficient.

You can also try using commercially produced pet odor removers, but they tend to be weaker than good old vinegar.

Never use products intended for human use, like body sprays or perfumes, because they can cause an allergic reaction in your cat.

Note that most cats hate the smell of green tea, citrus, eucalyptus, mint, and lavender, so avoid DIY pet odor removers with these ingredients.

Vacuum The Tree

You can vacuum the cat tree once again as a finishing touch to eliminate dust and debris that could have accumulated during drying and any remaining fur. The covers should be completely dry before vacuuming.

Consider Resurfacing Scratching Posts

If the cat tree is very old and the scratching posts look frayed, consider resurfacing them. This way, you minimize the risk of your cat contracting diseases and extend the tree’s lifespan.

Plus, you can alter the tree to your cat’s preference – for instance, if your cat prefers clawing carpet but the tree has a sisal rope post, you can replace it with a more appealing material.

Typically, replacing the sisal rope on a cat tree doesn’t require any experience. You only need enough material, a staple or hot glue gun, and large scissors.

Start by removing old sisal rope or fabric from the post. Usually, you can do this by unscrewing panels holding the material in place or removing nails. Then, wrap the sisal rope or carpet around the post and secure the ends.

Sources