As a cat owner, you must know the struggle that is to clean and change the kitty litter every now and then. Usually, this litter ends up in the trash, which might not be a good option if you want to minimize waste.
Luckily, we’ve decided to provide you with a few tips on how to reuse crystal cat litter. We’ll also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of reusing it and answer some questions you might have.
Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
A Step-By-Step Guide on How to Reuse Crystal Cat Litter
Because crystal kitty litter contains silica gel, you might find it a bit challenging to recycle. This is because silica doesn’t decompose, which doesn’t exactly brand it as a green option.
Still, there are a few ways you can reuse crystal cat litter without causing any harm to the environment.
1. Use It to Even Out Your Lawn
The first thing that any expert will tell you is never to dispose of used kitty litter on a vegetable, herb, or fruit garden. This is because cat waste can include parasites such as Toxoplasma gondii, which can be responsible for birth defects in humans.
Therefore, a good alternative is to use this crystal cat litter to even out your lawn’s uneven areas. Since these holes can cause anyone to trip or fall, you can easily fill them out with used kitty litter.
The same goes for sinkholes or animal holes in your lawn.
This way, the silica in your used kitty litter will be put to use without being toxic to the environment.
2. It Can Prevent Oil Spots
As you know, kitty litter has silica in its composition, which you could use to your advantage since it absorbs liquids. You can use crystal cat litter to soak up any oil spots or spills on your driveway.
Simply enough, apply a few scoops of used kitty litter to where your parked car might normally leave oil spots. This way, if any oil spills from your car, the crystal cat litter should be able to absorb it before finding its way to the concrete.
Of course, it can be pretty hard to soak up any oil that’s already formed on your driveway. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to prevent this from the beginning.
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3. Kill Annoying Poison Ivy
Another great way to reuse crystal cat litter is to utilize it to get rid of any poison ivy around your house. You can easily get more control over this pesky weed by sprinkling used kitty litter over it.
Soon enough, the weed should be no more, leaving you with healthier yards.
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4- Use as a dehumidifier
Don’t throw away your used crystal cat litter just yet! You can actually use it as a natural dehumidifier to help control excess moisture in your home. Simply place the used litter in a breathable container, like a muslin bag or mesh container, and put it in areas that tend to be damp or humid, such as your basement or bathroom.
The silica gel in the litter will absorb the moisture in the air, helping to prevent musty smells and mold growth.
5- Dry out wet shoes
There’s nothing worse than having to deal with wet shoes, especially if you’re in a hurry. Luckily, you can use your used crystal cat litter to help dry them out. Simply fill a sock or a cloth bag with some of the litter and place it inside your shoes overnight. The litter will absorb the moisture from your shoes, helping them to dry out faster and preventing any unpleasant smells from developing. Just be sure to dispose of the used litter properly and avoid using litter that’s been contaminated with pet waste.
It’s important to note that this method works best for non-leather shoes, as leather can be damaged by exposure to moisture or heat. If you have leather shoes that are wet, it’s best to let them air dry naturally and avoid using heat sources like a hairdryer or direct sunlight. Additionally, if your shoes are soaked through, you may need to replace the litter a few times to fully dry them out.
Is It Safe to Reuse Crystal Cat Litter?
It’s only safe as long as you don’t dispose of used cat litter in gardens with edible plants. As we discussed before, crystal cat litter isn’t biodegradable, so it can be harmful to your plants.
Also, it’s a bad idea to put animal waste in your garden because of the parasites it might contain. So, you should stick to the safest options when trying to reuse crystal cat litter, which we already approached in the previous section.
The Pros and Cons of Reusing Crystal Cat Litter
As with everything in the world, reusing this type of kitty litter has its upsides and downsides. Let’s find out more about them, shall we?
Pros
- It helps you keep your household waste to the minimum
- A cheap way to take care of your garden
- It keeps harmful weeds such as poison ivy away from your plants
- You can use its absorbent properties to your advantage
Cons
- Not a biodegradable option
- It might be harmful to the environment if not applied properly
- The cat waste can cause health issues to humans and animals if it finds its way to edible corps
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any eco-friendly alternatives to crystal cat litter?
The answer is yes. There are several sustainable substitutes to crystal cat litter that include materials other than silica.
For instance, kitty litter made of natural materials such as wood, paper, or food byproducts is more eco-friendly. You can always reuse it on flower beds or on your lawn. Just remember not to use any type of used cat litter near fruit or vegetable gardens.
In addition to that, you may want to look for products that come in biodegradable bags to minimize the carbon footprint on our planet.
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How To Recycle Unused Cat Litter?
Unused cat litter can be much safer to recycle because it lacks animal waste. Yet, where you reuse it mainly depends on its type.
– Clay or crystal cat litter: Best for soaking up oil leaks caused by your car or even lawnmower
– Wood or paper cat litter: Great for use around plants to help the soil absorb more water
– Wheat or corn-based cat litter: The perfect option to put in your compost container
Can I make my own cat litter?
Luckily, you can create your own version of cat litter with items that should be normally available in your household. This way, it’ll be a chance to recycle different stuff in your house and save a few bucks as well.
For instance, you can use shredded newspaper or old paper that you’d otherwise throw in the garbage. These should make your cat more comfortable. However, they might be a bit tricky to clean up since they aren’t as absorbent as other cat litter types on the market.
Still, the best thing about using old newspapers as cat litter is that you recycle it for the third time. Your inner environment activist should be thrilled at the idea!
Wrapping It Up
We understand that it might take you a lot of time to think about how to reuse crystal cat litter. Because it contains harmful materials, you must be careful when you try to reuse it.
Fortunately, after reading this brief guide, you’ll have a few good ideas to reduce waste and help save the environment. Even the slightest change can be a big difference!
I’ve been living with cats since 2008 and I can confidently say I have more feline friends than humans lol. I currently live with 5 cats in different life stages; two of them are less than one year old, one is 2-ish years old and the oldest two are 9-ish years old. I’ve developed a strong bond with cats over the years and I’m eager to share my experience through this blog. You can learn more about my cats here.