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How to Cat Proof a Laundry Hamper (Guide/Tips)

If your cat has peed in your laundry hamper you are likely to be angry, wondering why, and looking for a solution to clean (Click here to see my best solution, on Amazon #Ad) and prevent it.

Why Do Cats Pee in Laundry Hampers?

There are two main reasons why your cat has peed in your laundry hamper: Anxiety/stress or they may have a medical issue. Each of these has many symptoms and solutions.

What you will need for your Laundry Hamper

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01. Nature’s Miracle Enzyme Cleaner (My Best) Click here for the price on Amazon #Ad
02. Petsvv Cat Deterrent Spray Click here for the price on Amazon #Ad
03. Softener Dryer Sheets Click here for the price on Amazon #Ad

So, now you understand why your cat has peed in your laundry hamper. But, what can you do about now? how can you clean it up? Are there any ways to prevent it? Keep reading for these answers, and so much more.

The 2 Main Reasons Why Cats Pee in Laundry Hampers

Usually, cats are hygienic animals. They pee in their litter box unless they’re facing some sort of trouble. So, if your cat is peeing in a laundry hamper, there could be certain reasons responsible for this such as:

01. Anxiety or Stress

One of the most common reasons why cats pee in areas other than their litter box is because of their stress and anxiety.

Cats develop a sense of anxiety due to various reasons such as changing homes, having a new pet, or even a baby at home. So, if it fits any of the given criteria, then your cat is peeing in laundry hampers out of stress.

02. Health Problems

Apart from mental health problems, your cat may be experiencing some physical health problems too. They could have urinary tract infections or UTIs that make urinating uncomfortable and painful for them.

So, if you see your cat straining while peeing in the laundry hamper, then visit the vet immediately.

These two are the main reasons. Your cat may also pee in the laundry basket if they want some familiarity. Another reason may include a dirty or misplaced litter box, your cat doesn’t want to pee in.

What Is a Laundry Hamper?

If you’re confused about what exactly a laundry hamper is, here’s what you need to know. A hamper is a basket-like item. However, in North America, it may also refer to a household basket used for keeping in fresh or dirty clothes.

A laundry hamper differs from a laundry basket in its height, sturdiness, and also that it comes with a lid.

How to Cat-Proof a Laundry Hamper

The best way to stop your cat from urinating in a laundry hamper is by cat proofing it efficiently. Given below are some of the steps on how you can do it without needing any extra help or items:

01. Clean The Litter Box

The first step to stop your cat from peeing in the laundry hamper is by cleaning their litter box.

All you have to do is empty the box once a week. Then wash it using baking soda. You can also use unscented soap as cats are allergic to certain types of fragrances. If this is a real challenge for you consider a self-cleaning litter box instead (Click here for my best 3 self-cleaning litter boxes).

02. Fill the Litter Box

The second step is to fill the litter box appropriately. Make sure you fill only one to two inches of litter in the box. Overfilling the box can cause your cat to go somewhere else to pee.

03. Move the Litter Box

If your cat’s litter box is close to their feeding area, consider moving it to another location. Your cat will look for other spots to pee, like a laundry hamper, if the feeding area and litter box are close to each other.

Also, you should consider placing more than one litter boxes, especially if you have more cats. These boxes should be spacious enough for your cats.

04. Try Cleaning Areas Where Your Cat Has Peed

If your cat has peed on the laundry hamper, try cleaning it once with an enzymatic cleaner (Click here to see the price, on Amazon #Ad). The enzymes in this cleaner can help in removing the odor that will make the cat pee on it again.

05. Keep Your Cat Away From the Laundry Hamper

Lastly, try to keep your cat away from the laundry hamper. You can spray deterrents (Click here to see the price, on Amazon #Ad) or even repellents to keep the cat away.

You can also put some two-sided tapes around the laundry hamper to make it difficult for your cat to move around.

This is how you can stop your cat from peeing in the laundry hamper.

Why Does My Cat Like the Laundry Basket?

Some of the reasons your cat likes the laundry basket are:

• It is the perfect size to accommodate the cat.
• The clothes smell of the family members that make the cat feel protected.
• The clothes that have just come from dry cleaning are warm and cats love this warmth!
  

Thus, cats love laundry baskets due to safety and familiarity.

How Long Can You Leave Dirty Clothes?

When it comes to keeping your wet clothes in the washer, well here’s the good news.

According to the Whirlpool Institute of Fabric Science, you can keep your wet clothes in the washer overnight or for eight to twelve hours.

Why Do Cats Keep Peeing in the Hamper Over and Over Again?

If your cat has a habit of peeing in the laundry hamper, you need to get them to stop this habit and clean that area.

The reason is when cats pee in one place, they tend to pee on the same spot again. This is because they find the hamper comfortable and they can also find the same hamper spot owing to their strong-smelling instincts.

How Do I Keep My Laundry Basket From Smelling?

If you want to stop your laundry basket from a bad smell, here are some tips to keep in mind:

1. If you do laundry more frequently, there are lesser chances of bad odor in the basket.
2. Try not to put wet or damp towels and clothes in the hamper. Dry clean them properly.
3. Try to buy odor absorbers that can absorb the bad smell using activated charcoal, etc.
4. Put a scented dryer sheet (Click here to see the price, on Amazon #Ad) at the hamper bottom to reduce odor.
5. Adding some baking soda to a small plastic container with holes can also help. You can place it at the bottom of the hamper and it will work as an odor absorber. Don’t forget to change the baking soda every month or so.
6. Keep a stick-on air freshener beneath or inside the lid.
7. Go for a laundry bag that you can easily clean. For example, some bags come with liners or canvas bags. These things help in washing the laundry hamper without any hassle.
8. Small hampers can help in reducing accumulation compared to one big hamper.

Should You Place Damp Clothes in Your Hamper?

No, you should never place wet or damp clothes in your hamper. The moisture can accumulate and give off a horrible odor. Additionally, this odor can also stick to your other clean clothes and cause them to get dirty.

Can Dirty Laundry Cause Bugs?

Apart from the bad odor and germs, dirty laundry can also cause a huge mess. So, dirty laundry attracts and causes bugs too.

The reason is that when you have dirty laundry, the human odor stimulates the growth of bed bugs. This causes them to get attracted to the laundry.

Additionally, if you have dirty laundry in an open basket or even on the floor, it can attract bed bugs and cause a huge mess.

Why Does My Cat Love My Dirty Laundry?

Cats always look for safety and protection. Surprisingly, dirty laundry offers that to your cat.

Do you know why? Well, the answer is that the dirty laundry smells of you or other familiar people of your family. Due to the strong sense of smell, cats can recognize your smell.

Now, this familiar smell makes your cat feel extremely protected and out of harm. Additionally, as the cat associates the scent with you, they also feel comfortable in the dirty laundry, especially if they trust you.

Thus, cats definitely love dirty laundry because of your smell in it.