Put Kitty Litter In Your Shoes (And 5 More Surprisingly Smart Uses)
Kitty litter tends to only be bought and used by cat owners for their cat’s litter box, and pretty much nothing else. But it turns out this humble household item is super handy and can do so much more! Long before fancy sprays and gadgets existed, people leaned on simple, absorbent things to solve everyday problems and clean up messes. And kitty litter is one of those staple products. Once you see what it can do, you may start keeping an extra bag around, whether you have a cat or not.
Saving Wet Books And Important Papers
Spilled water on a book or an important stack of papers can feel like a big disaster. But kitty litter can save it. Place the damp papers in a plastic bin and cover it with a buffer layer of paper towels. Then, surround your wrapped item with dry litter, keeping the litter from touching the pages directly. The litter pulls moisture from the pages and the air, speeding up drying and reducing how much the pages warp. It is not magic, but it can save things you thought were ruined.
Keeping Trash Cans From Stinking
If your trash can seems to smell no matter how quickly you empty it, try sprinkling a thin layer of kitty litter at the bottom. It absorbs leaks and odors before they have a chance to linger and get worse. This works especially well in outdoor trash bins during the warmer months. It is a small step that makes taking out the trash far more pleasant, which is a win in our books.
Stabilizing Wobbly Furniture
This one surprises a lot of people. Kitty litter can add weight to your furniture where you need it. Pour it into sealed bags and place them inside hollow furniture legs or under lightweight outdoor tables that can tip or blow around when it’s windy. It provides stability without having to bolt anything down or know any woodworking skills. If you ever need to move things, just remove the bags. It is a simple fix that saves frustration during breezy afternoons.
Freshening Smelly Shoes Overnight
If your shoes are starting to smell like stinky feet, kitty litter can help. Pour a small amount into a sock or cloth pouch and place it inside each shoe overnight. The litter absorbs moisture and odor instead of just covering it up. By morning, the smell will have faded a ton. It works especially well for boots, gym shoes, or any footwear that you get wet or sweat in.
Absorbing Oil Spills In Your Garage Or Driveway
This is an old mechanic trick that still works today. If oil, grease, or another messy liquid hits your garage floor or driveway, quickly cover the spill with kitty litter and let it sit for a few hours. The litter absorbs the oil so that it can be swept away instead of smeared around when you go to clean it up. It works better than paper towels and feels oddly satisfying when the mess disappears with one clean sweep.
Emergency Dehumidifier For Small Spaces
Closets, basements, and laundry rooms can hold onto moisture in ways you don’t notice until it starts to smell musty. A shallow container of kitty litter placed in a corner of your basement can quietly absorb extra humidity from the air. It is not a replacement for a real dehumidifier, but it can help in small spaces when things start to feel a bit damp. Change the kitty litter out every few weeks and you’ll feel how much fresher the air is.
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Kitty litter is super underrated for how many problems it can solve. These little tricks work because they rely on what the material does best: absorb, add weight, and kill smells. And being able to buy kitty litter in bulk, for pretty cheap is a win for your wallet too. So remember, kitty litter isn’t just for cats anymore.
Bliss Donahue-Power
