As cat owners, we know the litter box can get quite smelly, and the odor can spread throughout our home, which is embarrassing. Several products on the market help us make our homes smell better, including covered litter boxes and extra strong clumping agents and drying materials, but the odor remains. Most DIY methods recommend adding baking soda to the litter, and there are commercial fragrances available. If you were wondering about the difference between a deodorizer and baking soda and which one you should use, you’ve come to the right place. We are going to look at the pros and cons of each, tell you how they work, and let you know which one is superior, so you’ll be better informed.
Overview of Baking Soda:
How it Works
Baking soda is extremely common in most households as it has many uses for cooking, cleaning, and odor control. It’s a naturally occurring type of salt that humans have been using for thousands of years which is why it has many names, including cooking soda and bicarbonate of soda. It’s a crystal that you usually find as a fine white powder. It has slight disinfecting properties and is especially good at absorbing odor, making it a great choice for use in the litter box.
When To Choose
Baking soda is the perfect choice when you want a low-cost solution to remove odors from the litter box. There is no fragrance, and it will not make the litter box smell better. It will simply remove any orders.
Overview of Deodorizer:
How it Works
Litter box deodorizers are slightly more advanced than ordinary baking soda, though many brands contain it. Deodorizers usually have an absorbent powder like baking soda as a base that helps absorb moisture from urine and remove odors from the air. The absorbent powder will contain tiny fragrance crystals that release a fresh scent into the air when the cat scratches. Since manufacturers design them for use in the litter box, they are non-toxic to cats. However, some fragrances can be quite strong and off-putting for both the cat and the owner. Cats may not like to use fragrant deodorizer inside a covered litter box because it will concentrate the scent. Another downside to litter deodorizers is that the fragrance is usually some chemical or essential oil that might harm your pet’s health with prolonged use.
When to Choose
Litter deodorizer can be a great choice when you want to add a fresh scent to the box. Some cats create more of an odor than others, and the litter deodorizer can be a great way to minimize unpleasantness, and the same if there are multiple cats in your household creating a stronger scent than you can bear.
What Type of Baking Soda Do I Need?
The good thing about baking soda is that it’s a single ingredient item, so there is little variation between brands. You can choose any brand, including no-name and budget brands because they will all look and work the same.
What Type of Litter Deodorizer Do I Need?
Things get a little more complicated when it comes to litter deodorizer because several brands are vying for your attention. Unlike baking soda, there can be a significant difference from one brand to the next. You will need to try out several brands and go through the ingredients list to ensure nothing bothers your cat. Each one will have a unique scent, and some will be overpowering while others will be quite faint. You will need to try several different kinds to find one both you and your cat are happy with the scent it produces.
Our Favorite Baking Soda:
Arm & Hammer Baking Soda
Arm & Hammer Baking Soda is our favorite type of baking soda because it is inexpensive and easy to find in most local stores. It’s a well-known brand that most of us will recognize immediately, so there is no confusion about what you’re purchasing. It’s safe to use with all types of litter and is non-toxic to your cat.
Our Favorite Litter Deodorizer:
Hepper’s Bio Enzyme Litter Box Deodorizer
Hepper’s Litter Box Deodorizer is our favorite brand because it has a neutral, fresh scent that smells good when you walk into a room but doesn’t overpower your home. Each canister is enough to treat many litter changes, and like baking soda, it’s safe to use with all types of litter.
At Pet Keen, 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!
Conclusion
We like to use deodorizer in our home when we’re expecting company, but most of the time, we stick to baking soda. Most deodorizers have too much fragrance, and they don’t work any better than baking soda at removing the odor, so it’s best to stick with what works. Baking soda is inexpensive, easy to find, and does the job.
We hope you have enjoyed reading over the short guide, and it has helped answer your questions. If we have helped you freshen your litter box, please share this guy to litter deodorizer versus baking soda on Facebook and Twitter.
See Also:
Featured Image Credit: Left: Litter Deodorizer, Amazon | Right: Baking Soda, Monfocus, Pixabay
