How to Clean Cat Tree

Keeping the cat tree clean is one of the tedious tasks you need to do if you own a cat. You cannot ignore this since the cat is always using the tree. If you don’t clean it your cat may get all the bacteria that might accumulate on it and it will be full of hair.

For those who want to know what is the best way to clean a cat tree, below are some safe ways that you can do to keep the cat tree clean like new.

The process is divided into several steps depending on the various types of contaminants that stay on the cat tree. Also, you can do the cleaning process over several days depending on how frequently your cat uses the tree.

Methods of Cleaning the Cat Tree

In cleaning the cat tree, you don’t just deal with the dirt and grime on it. Also, you need to get rid of the cat hair that accumulated on it. The stain is also a major concern when cleaning the cat tree. Below are steps on how to remove the cat hair and stain on the cat tree.

Steps on Removing Cat Hair

You may be surprised as to how much hair the cat left on the tree. Removing it is quite easy in less than an hour, you can complete the task. No need to take the cat tree apart.

What You Need:

• Vacuum
• Scrub brush
• Comb

Step#1 Brush the Cat Tree

The first step in cleaning the cat tree is to scrub brush it. Begin with the carpeted area of the tree from the top and work your way to the lower parts. Focus on the areas where your cat usually stays or spend more time like the sides, the base, perches, and scratching posts.

Use the comb to remove the hair that fills up the scrub brush. To remove the hair, simply run it into the brush bristles. Throw the hair into the garbage and continue cleaning the brush until it is free from hair or removed the majority of it.

Step#2 Vacuum the Hard to Reach Areas

After you have done scrub brushing the cat tree, it is time to get your vacuum and go over the hard-to-reach areas and other parts that you have missed with your brush. Vacuum the whole area, and make sure that you focus on the corners, sides, tight spaces, and inside the houses where you cannot reach using a brush.

The vacuum is also best for removing any cat dirt or litter. Once you have completed cleaning it, you can place your cat back to play and lounge on.

Steps on Removing Stains

The cats are known as clean animals but sometimes your pet sprays pee or spits out on the tree. As a result, a cat tree with a stain that requires some effort to remove. To remove the stain, you need a diluted solution of hydrogen peroxide. It is an effective cleaning agent that can get rid of stains.

What You Need:

• 3% Hydrogen Peroxide
• Dish Soap
• Enzymatic Pet Cleaner
• Paper Towels
• Scrubbing Pads or Sponges
• Spray Bottle

Steps#1 Soften the Stain with Enzymatic Pet Cleaner

Lightly spray the whole area with an enzymatic cleaner. This substance has special enzymes that can soften the stains and lift them from the material. Allow the enzymes on the cat tree for five minutes. Then wipe down the cat tree with paper towels.

The dirt you collected in the paper towels will give you an idea of how dirty the cat tree is, and the papers will help remove the first layer of stain. It will also take away the odor that lingers due to the stains.

Step#2 Scrub with Dish Soap and Water Solution

The next step is to add a few drops of dish soap in the water. Then dip your scrubbing pads in it and scrub the cat tree. The rough part of the sponge will loosen the ground-in dirt and hair, and the soft part will help collect the loose hair from your cat tree.

Step#3 Spray with Hydrogen Peroxide and Warm Water Mixture

In a spray bottle combine warm water and hydrogen in equal proportion. Spray the cat tree with the mixture. The purpose of spraying the mixture is to get rid of the germs or bacteria that might be lingering in your cat tree. Then, use paper towels to wipe down the tree and allow it to dry up completely. After making sure that it is dry, you can allow your cat to get on it.

Alternate Method For Removing Stain

This method is called the low budget method. This is because the materials to be used are readily available. Plus it is very simple, clear, and straightforward. It involves scrubbing, which may be more than once. Depending on how dirty the tree is and also to completely get rid of all the lingering smell. Materials needed:

• Dish Soap or Upholstery Cleaner
• Sponge or Cloth
• Warm Water
• Upholstery Cleaner (not necessary)
• Spray Bottle

Step One

Firstly mix in warm water some drops of dish soap. Then put in a spray bottle. Spray this warm water with dish soap on all the grungy and stained surfaces on your cat tree. After that, allow it to soak for some minutes.

Keep an eye on the soaked surface to know when it starts soaking. Immediately it starts soaking, take your cloth or sponge and begin to scrub all the stained surfaces. The dish soap will begin to create suds. You can as well use upholstery-specific cleaner instead of dish soap with warm water.

Step Two

Use dry cloth or upholstery cleaner to dry the cat tree until there is almost no water there. Then allow the tree to dry very well before making your cat begin to climb it again. So as not to bring back more dirt on it. 24 hours is the recommended drying time.

General Cat Tree Cleaning Tips

• Irrespective of the number of cats you have. You can keep your cat tree looking good and gorgeous always. These are a few out of the many things you can do:
• Buy a specially designed vacuum cleaner to take care of the cat hair. It removes stuck hair with its very powerful suction.
• Specially designed granules and sprays can be used to treat any strong or light odors respectively. You will allow it soak after applying for a few hours before you vacuum it.
• Make sure you don’t use toxic cleaning agents and be conscious of the smell too. Your cat may not want to move close to the cat tree again if it’s too strong.
• Apart from the normal cleaning, clean all nooks and crannies of the tree. At least once or twice a year to avoid bacteria being build-up by the cat hair.
• Also, get a glove damp to brush the entire cat tree. This will loosen up and pull all ground-in cat hair for easy brush away or vacuum.
• Stuck cat hair can also be gathered with a long roller. Over the cat tree, just run the lint roller and when finish, toss all excess sheets.
• The cat tree cleaning should be routinely based for more effectiveness.

Conclusion

The primary purpose of keeping the cat tree clean is to prevent the bacteria from growing and multiplying. With the above steps on cleaning your feline tree, you have peace of mind that your cat is staying in a clean and safe place.