How long to develop grooming habits?

Well, when I found Rowan, he was maybe 5 weeks old. He had some grooming issues, mainly that he didn't really groom himself well. He'd give himself a few licks, and leave it at that.

His eyes tend to have a bit of sleep dust on them (and it's not an infection, the vet already saw him). I've actually never seen himself washing his face, although Bella will wash him occasionally. I wish that he'd get the sleepers on his own, but I gently remove them whenever I notice them, about once a day.

And he'll step in poo, or get some litter stuck to his foot if he steps in an area where he's urinated. He doesn't seem to mind, so I have to wash him off when I notice.

He's maybe 10 weeks old now, and I'm wondering if he can develop grooming habits without his mother, of if he's going to be a big baby for his whole life. He's picked up other habits from Bella, like playing with toys, and jumping up to windows, but he just doesn't seem to pick up on cleanliness.

Some cats aren't as clean as others but I've found my kittens start to clean themselves at about five weeks of age

Well, he will groom himself, just not thoroughly. And he generally does it when he sees Bella having her after-dinner cleaning session.

He sounds like my cat Muffin, she will clean herself but not as well as the others Sometimes they are just like that

My male 4-month old does that, too! He doesn't groom himself, and I always see clumps of litter stuck at his paws... My female 4-month old will groom him, but he will get all excited and start fighting the girl. Sometimes I think he tries to groom the girl, but instead of licking he bites her... So she runs away...

I leave them with my friend who has a 1-year old when I travel, so I hope he will learn from the 1-year old. I heard that the best way is to learn from an older cat.