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.


    Talk With A Vet Online

    Peace of mind,
    anywhere, anytime

    Affordable vet advice

    Do Cats Cause Schizophrenia? Scientists Find a Link – Here’s What It Means

    Being a fierce advocate (and occasional recipient of) mental health support and awareness, the term ‘crazy’ is not one I like to fling...

    One in 100 Cats Gets Diabetes – Here’s How to Catch It Early

    One in every 100 cats develops diabetes.1 That’s not a rare, unlucky condition reserved for cats with obvious health problems. It’s common enough...

    Dramatic Rescue Turns Into Dramatic Reunion

    What started as a routine call for the RSPCA became a heroic, five-hour rescue featuring one trapped and traumatized cat, an emotional family...

    Ask Dr. Paola – Help! How Do I Know if it’s Ear Mites! (May 4, 2026)

    Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” series, where every Monday we bring expert advice straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to help our...

    More related

    Siamese Kittens For Sale in Kansas: Breeders List 2026

    Catster advocates for adopting before shopping, though we fully understand there are many reasons for seeking a breeder. So, we encourage it to...

    Savannah Cat Breed: Info, Pictures, Temperament & More

    If you want a pet that’s as small and friendly as a regular housecat yet retains many of the characteristics of much larger...

    Catster Photo Contest: Cats of the Week Winners (Mar 20, 2025)

    This Week’s Winner Silliest Cutest Most Dignified Best Action Shot Sleepiest Most Expressive Enter Your Cat Submit your kitty for a chance to...

    Foodies vs Picky Eaters: The Wednesday Cats of Catsters’ Food Habits

    Welcome to the Wednesday Cats of Catster! Every month, we ask our cat-loving Catsters to weigh in on a new topic. This week,...

    Keep reading

    Cat Eye Discharge (Boogers): Vet-Verified Facts & Care Advice

    Have you ever noticed a watery, goopy, or crusty discharge around your cat’s eyes? While these cat eye boogers can be gross to look at and deal with, you mustn’t ignore them. This discharge may indicate a problem that requires...

    cat with eye discharge

    Why Do Cats Hate Dogs? Vet-Reviewed Facts & Tips

    It’s a tale as old as time, depicted in innumerable movies, cartoons, and television shows: cats hissing at dogs, dogs chasing cats, both engaging in a skirmish that results in a ball of smoke from which violent sounds emanate and...

    tabby cat and a puppy on the carpet at home

    Sheba Cat Food Review of 2026: Recalls, Pros & Cons

    Sheba Cat Food Review Summary Mars Inc. manufactures Sheba cat food, along with more than 40 other pet food brands. Sheba products are produced in the United States, except the Meaty Tender Stick Sheba cat treats, which are produced in...

    Sheba Cat Food Review

    How Long Will Cats Hide If They’re Scared: Vet-Reviewed Causes, Tips & FAQ

    Cats can be very fearful creatures, and when they feel threatened or scared, their natural instinct is to hide. In fact, you may have even brought a new cat home for the first time only for it to run and...

    British shorthair cat hiding

    Why Is My Cat Afraid of the Ceiling Fan? – 4 Possible Vet-Reviewed Reasons

    Cats, like many other pets (and us), possess unique personalities. Some can be extremely brave and adventurous, while others can be more timid and get scared easily. A cat’s personality can be influenced by several factors, including their genetics, early...

    ceiling fan

    10 Best Cat Treats for Picky Cats (2026) – Reviews & Top Picks

    You spend hours at the pet store picking out the best treats for your cat, only for them to be rejected without so much as a taste! Cats are notoriously picky, but some of them are obviously pickier than others....

    devon rex cat eating

    Why Does My Cat Pee on Plastic Bags? 6 Vet-Reviewed Reasons & Solutions

    If you’ve ever come home to find that your cat has peed on a plastic bag, you’re not alone. This odd behavior is surprisingly common in cats for a variety of reasons. The reasons could be as plain as a...

    cat lying inside a plastic bag

    Are Azaleas Poisonous to Cats? Vet-Reviewed Houseplants Examined

    Azaleas are ornamental shrubs that are incredibly popular and loved by gardeners everywhere. Not only are they sturdy, resistant plants, but the flowers also turn stunning colors that range from a vibrant jewel color to a pretty, pale pastel hue....

    Catster_Are Azaleas Poisonous to Cats

    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.