How to clean a Litter-Robot (2024)

Litter-Robot's self-cleaning litter boxes might be expensive, but they're beloved by many cat owners (myself included) for making litter box maintenance infinitely faster and easier. While you don't need to scoop on a daily basis, your Litter-Robot will need an occasional cleaning to prevent odors and keep the space fresh for your pet—after all, no one wants to use a stinky bathroom, and that includes your cat!

Whether you have a Litter-Robot 4 or Litter-Robot 3, there are a few key steps you'll want to follow to deep clean the litter box. Use this step-by-step guide to get your Litter-Robot looking (and smelling) as good as new.

Materials

You'll need a few basic supplies to clean your Litter Robot:

• Vacuum

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• Garden hose or showerhead

• Disinfecting wipes

• Scrub brush

• Dish detergent

• Philips head screwdriver (optional)

• Replacement filter (optional) for Litter-Robot 4 or Litter-Robot 3

1. Empty the litter

The first step to cleaning your Litter-Robot is to remove the litter from the globe. Press the "empty" button on the unit's control panel, and the globe will rotate and dump all the litter into the waste drawer below. Once it's empty, you can remove the drawer liner and throw it away.

2. Remove the bonnet and globe

Next, you'll want to unplug and disassemble your Litter-Robot. First, remove the bonnet—the top piece that covers the globe. There are buttons on each side of the unit that you press to release the bonnet. On a Litter-Robot 3, the bonnet can be removed completely, but on the Litter-Robot 4, the bonnet simply hinges back.

Once the bonnet is off, lift the globe out of the base. If you have a Litter-Robot 4, you'll also want to remove the carbon filter from the top of the globe before moving on to the next step.

3. Clean the globe and waste drawer

Because the globe and waste drawer don't have any electrical components, you don't have to worry about getting them wet. The easiest way to clean these pieces is with a garden hose, but you can also wash them down in your tub or shower.

Spray down the globe and waste drawer with water, then use a stiff-bristle brush to scrub off any gunk. You can use a bit of dish detergent or cleaning spray if you need extra cleaning power, just be sure to rinse it thoroughly when you're done.

4. Clean behind the septum (optional)

The septum is the divider within the globe that holds clean litter when the unit cycles. If you want to clean behind it, you'll need to remove the screws that hold it in place, which are located on the top of the globe.

There are seven screws in total—one toward the front of the globe, four around the waste port, one to the left of the waste port, and one below the black gear track. Keep the screws in a safe location so you can replace them after cleaning.

Once the screws are removed, you can slide the septum out of the globe. Wash the septum and the area inside of the globe, then replace the piece and put the screws back into place.

5. Wipe down the base

The base of the Litter-Robot contains all the electronics components, so it should never be sprayed, soaked, or submerged in water. Instead, use a vacuum equipped with a crevice tool to pick up any litter pieces inside the base. You can also use disinfecting wipes to remove gunk or dirt.

6. Reassemble once dry

Once all the pieces have dried completely, you can reassemble your Litter-Robot. You should place the globe on the base approximately in its "home" position, and make sure the globe is lined up with the gear track. If you have a Litter-Robot 4, this is a good time to install a fresh carbon filter or OdorTrap pack into the compartment on top of the globe.

Replace the bonnet and make sure it clicks back into place on both sides. Place a fresh drawer liner in the waste drawer, then slide it back into place under the globe.

7. Replace the litter

Before plugging the Litter Robot in, fill up the globe with fresh litter for your cat. Be sure not to exceed the maximum fill line, otherwise it may have trouble cycling.

Finally, you can turn the unit back on, and it will be clean, fresh, and ready to use for your cat.

How often should you clean a Litter Robot?

If you're wondering how often you should clean your Litter-Robot, the brand recommends a deep cleaning like this every three months. However, it's good to wipe out the globe when you change the litter and vacuum out litter from the base when you replace the drawer liner. Doing so will help to keep your machine in good working condition and make sure it's clean for your cat.

Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.