Get

In Your Inbox

Catster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

How to Keep a House Clean With Cats: 7 Expert Tips

Share

Bengal cat next to a bucket of detergents home cleaning

Cats are lovely creatures, but with all that amazing feline love and companionship come a few responsibilities, such as feeding them, playing with them, and keeping your house clean. Cats are generally pretty fastidious and groom themselves multiple times daily. However, they can also create quite a mess in your home.

Cat hair and litter need to be dealt with regularly, but cats also knock things over, spray, poop outside of the litter box, and pee on carpets occasionally. Keep reading for seven tips on how to keep a house clean with a cat.

divider 2 cats

The 7 Tips on How to Keep Your House Clean With Cats

1. Deal With Accidents

Cats sometimes miss the litter box and vomit on carpets or sofas. Cleaning accidents as soon as possible after they happen can prevent stains and smells from setting in. There are special products available that are designed to remove the smell of cat pee and keep cats from coming back to the same place to use the bathroom. Most cleaners work on both old and new stains and smells, and enzymatic formulas are best for preventing subsequent incidents in the same spot.

Our Favorite Enzyme Cleaner 

The Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray is our favorite all-purpose enzyme cleaner. It kills harmful bacteria and permanently removes even the worst kitty stains and smells, leaving your home fresh and clean! Click here to learn more about this amazing product and get yourself a bottle.

Image Product Details
Best Enzyme Spray
Winner
Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray
  • All-purpose
  • Pet-safe
  • Multi-surface safe
  • At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding products of this cool cat company!


    2. Brush Your Cat

    Regularly brushing your cat has a few benefits to keeping your house clean. It reduces the amount of pet hair drifting around your home, and it can also decrease the amount of pet dander that makes it into your environment, which can play a role in minimizing some allergy signs in people who are allergic to cats.

    Shorthair cats usually need to be brushed about once or twice a week, while cats with longhair often require grooming attention more regularly. Grooming is also a fun bonding activity that many, but not all, cats enjoy. For cats that don’t enjoy it, a few treats and a bit of patience can help them grow accustomed to it.


    3. Vacuum Thoroughly

    Vacuuming regularly, before pet hair and dander really accumulate, can also help keep your home clean. Carpets, upholstered furniture, and pet beds all need regular attention to stay clean. Vacuuming hardwood floors is also important.

    Vacuums with HEPA filters are great at keeping pet dander to a minimum, which can be good news for allergy sufferers. It’s relatively easy to find affordable options with HEPA filters and special attachments to pick up pet fur. To keep your home nice and clean, plan to spend at least a few days a week giving your vacuum a workout.

    Cleaning house with vacuum cleaner, female with pet cat
    Image Credit: VH studio, Shutterstock

    4. Minimize Litter Tracking and Smells

    Cats often track litter all over the house, and little bits can often even be found under sofa cushions. Using a brand of litter that doesn’t track as much may help. Litter boxes with tops can reduce the litter cats kick out when digging.

    Some mats are designed to collect litter as cats walk over them. Consider keeping a mini dustpan and brush close to your pet’s litter box to make it easy to clean up without having to dig out the full-sized vacuum cleaner. Deodorizing products can be added to litter to absorb pungent odors.


    5. Minimize Dust

    Using a wet cloth to dust can pick up some pet fur and dander that accumulates on hard surfaces like tables and bookcases. Wet dusting cleans the surface without kicking up and spreading particles.

    Wet mopping can also be used to keep hardwood floors clean. Microfiber cloths do a nice job of gathering dust efficiently, particularly when wet. Face masks can make cleaning easier for those sensitive to dust.


    6. Clean Counters and Food Bowls Regularly

    Cats can carry germs on their paws, and even the best-behaved pets sometimes jump on counters, which can leave dirt and bacteria behind. That makes regularly cleaning countertops a priority, particularly before preparing food.

    Pet food bowls can harbor bacteria if not regularly cleaned with hot, soapy water. You should remove any wet food your cat hasn’t eaten within a few hours of their mealtime and clean the bowl thoroughly. Stainless steel and ceramic bowls are often easy to keep clean and free of smells.

    Washing pet feeding bowls
    Image Credit: LeighT, Shutterstock

    7. Boost Your Laundry Game

    Regularly washing pet bedding can reduce smells, pet hair, and dander. It’s also critical for allergy management and keeping fleas under control. Many pet beds have easily removable covers that you can throw in the washing machine, but you can also put a folded towel over your cat’s bed, which you can shake out and simply throw in the laundry.

    If you allow your cat to snuggle with you in bed, consider washing your pillows and comforter regularly to get rid of bacteria and pet hair. For set in sprays, use your enzyme cleaner on affected areas and allow to soak before tossing it in the wash.

    Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray
    • ADVANCED ENZYMATIC CLEANER - Penetrates the most stubborn smells and stains at the deepest molecular...
    • FOR ANY MESS, ON ANY SURFACE - This pet odor eliminator cleans your carpets, floors, furniture,...
    • FRESH, NATURAL ODOR - Our unique formulation doesn't rely on dangerous or unpleasant chemical...

    At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding products of this cool cat company!

    divider 2 cats

    In Conclusion

    Keeping your house clean with a cat at home isn’t complicated. The key is to maintain a schedule with regular vacuuming, cleaning, and laundering and to be ready to spring into action with the right products if your cat has an accident.

    A vacuum is an essential tool for getting rid of cat fur and dander, but cleaning countertops and other surfaces that your cat frequents will also prevent the spread of harmful bacteria on your cat’s paws. Cleaning your home frequently will keep your cat and family healthy and happy.

    See also:


    Featured Image Credit: Svetlana Rey, Shutterstock

    Want content like this delivered to you?

    Sign Up For Our Newsletter

    News, insights, expert advice, and everything cat

    * By submitting, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy & Cookies Policy.




    How useful was this post?

    Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

    Help us improve Catster for pet parents!

    Your feedback really matters.

    What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

    Join the conversation

    Leave a Reply

    You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.


    Catster's Digital Magazine is Back!

    Vet-approved health & behavior advice

    Real cat stories & community features

    Chatting About Big Cat Tourism, Lion Hunting, and Learning From Our Mistakes | Chatty Cattys, Episode 26

    In this episode of Catster’s Chatty Cattys podcast, Nicole and Dr. Karyn dive into the dark side of big cat tourism and the...

    Why Cats Sit by the Door (But Don’t Go Through It)

    Door-sitting is one of those quirky little habits that almost every cat owner experiences at some point. You know how it goes: a...

    Six Legs Are Better Than Three – How A Tripod Dog and Kitten Found Friendship Through Recovery

    Sometimes the most meaningful friendships begin in the most unexpected places. At a Maryland veterinary hospital operated by Last Chance Animal Rescue, two...

    The Original Space Invaders – Why Zero Respect for Personal Boundaries Is a Good Thing

    Cats have a reputation for being independent, and in many ways they are. But anyone who has tried to work at a laptop...

    More related

    Are Recent News and Politics too Much? Tune Into Your Cat

    I find politics and the news in general to be very disturbing. No matter what side of the political spectrum you occupy, I...

    6 Best Top-Entry Litter Boxes in 2026 – Reviews & Top Picks

    Top-entry litter boxes are aesthetically pleasing and fit in with modern décor more than standard litter trays. They’re tall and hygienic and help...

    Are Corn Plants Toxic to Cats? Our Vet-Approved Advice

    The corn plant, Dracaena fragrans, goes by many names, including the ribbon plant, the dragon tree, and the cornstalk plant, but this plant...

    Can Cats Eat Steak? Vet-Verified Nutrition Facts & FAQ

    Your cat is probably one of the most finicky eaters you know. She will turn up her nose at even the most decadent...

    Keep reading

    Why Do Cats Run Away? 10 Common Reasons for This Behavior

    When your cat runs away from home, it can be heartbreaking. You think you are giving your cat all they could need or want, why did they run away from you? Don’t be too alarmed, as this is not an...

    cat sitting

    9 Best Flea Combs for Cats in 2026 – Reviews & Top Picks

    Caring for your feline friend involves more than just feeding them and ensuring they get regular check-ups. One major aspect of pet care is grooming, which includes dealing with pests like fleas that can cause your cat discomfort and health...

    flea combing a tabby cat, looking for fleas

    Why Does Cat Pee Smell Like Ammonia? 5 Vet-Reviewed Reasons

    Cat owners who use effective cat litter and clean the litter box frequently don’t tend to have issues with cat urine odor. However, some cat owners still struggle to manage the prominent odor of their cat’s urine. So what is...

    woman covering nose while cleaning the litter box

    My Cat Is Smacking Their Lips, What’s Wrong? Vet-Verified Reasons & Advice

    Like any other devoted pet owner, you’ve probably spent hours staring at your cat and studying their every move. Cats are unique and fascinating beings, and they exhibit some very strange behavior. You surely noticed your lovely feline smacking their...

    a hungry cat smacking her lips on a bed

    Are Calla Lilies Poisonous to Cats? Vet-Verified Facts & Safety Guide

    Are calla lilies poisonous to cats? This is a question that has come up many times and one that many people are unsure of the answer to. Calla lilies do contain a substance that causes harmful effects in cats. However,...

    Catster_Are Calla Lilies Poisonous to Cats

    How to Spot a Broken Cat Tail: 5 Vet-Reviewed Steps

    Cats have very flexible tails, and you may even see them with “kinks” and strange angles. Usually, this doesn’t mean that the cat’s tail is broken. However, cats can certainly break their tails. While a tail may seem like one...

    tail of a cat on vintage background

    How Long Do Siberian Cats Live? Vet-Verified Lifespan Facts & FAQ

    The Siberian, also known as the Siberian Forest Cat, originates from Siberia, Russia, and is highly resistant to cold weather and cold conditions. It has a fluffy tail, thick coat, and is slow to mature. It is considered a good...

    Siberian cat on a winter walk

    6 Strange Items Cats Like to Collect & Why (Vet-Reviewed Info)

    Cats are interesting animals that often do things that remain a mystery to us. One behavior that some cats engage in is collecting random items. There’s yet to be a concrete explanation for why cats will collect, hide, or hoard...

    Cat-hunting-to-toy-mouse-at-home

    Love Cats? So Do We! Join the Catster Community

    Stay informed with expert pet care insights delivered straight to your inbox! Discover professional guidance on animal behavior, feeding tips, trusted product picks, and much more.




    Sign up for the Catster Email Newsletter

    Stay informed with expert pet care insights delivered straight to your inbox! Discover professional guidance on animal behavior, feeding tips, trusted product picks, and much more.