Keeping the cat tree clean...

stiletto

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If you have a cat tree, what is your "cleaning routine"?

I live in close quarters so their tree is literally two feet from my bedside table. Every other week, I use a squeegee to scrape the fur before vaccuuming. However, I still get some strange allergic reactions (when the tree seems to get more "dirty"). My allergies clear up after I vaccuum the tree.

How often do you vaccuum your tree?

My old cat has also had a few pee accidents on the bottom part of the tree. I've cleaned it with vinegar and baking soda. Do you think that contributes to the allergens?

How often do you replace your tree (or tree parts)?
 

micknsnicks2mom

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i vacuum all the cat trees in my home every 4th day. i steam clean (using just water, no chemicals) the cat trees maybe once or twice each year -- or more often as needed.

if you've cleaned up the kitty "accidents" on the bottom part of the cat tree quickly and with the most effective cleaners (enzymatic cleaners), and aren't finding that kitty is still attracted to those spots for urinating/pooping, then i would think that you've effectively removed the scent. if you are noticing a urine smell at all or if kitty is still attracted to those spots for urinating/pooping, then i'd suggest looking into buying a replacement part(s) for those parts that have had the accident(s) on them.

i've never needed to replace any parts on my cat trees (we have 9). we've had some of them for between 4 and 5 years, others we've had for 3-4 years. all except one cat tree are armarkat brand, so i can easily buy replacement parts for them as needed.

i have no experience with allergies, since i've never had any. well, except medication allergies.
 

minnaloushe

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I have some minor indoor allergies (mostly to dust and mold, not to cats, thank goodness!) so I vacuum the cat tree every time I vacuum the rest of my apartment, which is about every week to 10 days. If you find you are having allergy issues, I would also recommend getting a vacuum with a HEPA filter -- it REALLY helps.
 

nora1

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I have allergies so I vacuum at least once a week, sometimes more if my cat is shedding more due to the season.

As far as the cat tree(s), I have 3 (2 tall, and 1 short), which I vacuum once a week, with the hand tool attachment. This works so well as it collects all the fur and carpet bits that have fallen off over time. 

If your allergies are severe, which I can totally relate to, maybe once a month, lightly spray the cat tree with an animal safe cleaning spray (Nature's Miracle brand?), then use a clean cloth to dry it off.

I haven't had to replace any parts yet, but you can buy sisal in bulk, and re-wrap any limb that needs to be recovered over time. 
 

chromium blues

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We have lots of cat posts and trees in our place, as well as a special needs kitty who doesn't always know that he's going to the bathroom...

To get the fur and fuzzies off, we use an old rubber curry brush and find it works quite well. To get the funk off the posts, Knock Out does an amazing job. I think we've gone through gallons of the stuff over the past couple of years, especially before we got the little guy's diet sorted out. Nature's Miracle works beautifully for stains.

On one of our older posts, the toys are long gone. I ended up replacing them with parrot toys and the cats love them!
 

jcat

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Our cat tree is vacuumed once a week and steam cleaned two or three times a year. It's fifteen years old, and the "plush" parts (base, platforms) were replaced last year, mainly because our current cat has different tastes from our old cat. Mogli likes to play rather than sleep on the tree.
 
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stiletto

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As an update:

We are now vaccuuming our cat tree every week instead of every other week. My allergies are a lot better, but they still act up near the "end of the cleaning week", so it would be better if we did it more often.

In terms of replacing cat tree parts, we have a Armarkat tree, so replacements are available for purchase. It's not so much the sisal rope that causes my allergies, but the dander and fur that build up on the carpeted parts. So in the next year, we will replace the most frequently used platforms.

Long term solution, buy another cat tree that doesn't have "carpet", but removable pads for washing. It's more expensive, but it's a better investment on health. And move the tree out of the bedroom. =)
 
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