Automatic Litterbox Central

Several of us have posted before about still having odor after thoroughly cleaning the globe. For those of us with old LRs it seems to be caused by urine seeping through a rip in the lining. I used to think that especially because it was a litterbox, disinfecting was most important. I used disinfecting cleaners and bleach solution with the same pitiful result. It would still stink. I usually keep a gallon of Simple Solution for cats on hand at all times. Yesterday I bought the Simple Solution for cats oxy formula just for cleaning the LR.

First I rinsed everything thoroughly. Next I saturated every part of the globe and waste drawer with the oxy formula. Then I sat down and watched a show. I went back sniffed the globe and saturated it again, then left it for a while. The second time I checked it smelled pretty clean. I rinsed it thoroughly then used mild dish detergent to wash. I plan on using Ivory next time. I rinsed everything, dried it with a towel then set up the fan. For the first time ever it's really clean! I paid special attention to the hole in the liner as I planned on making a repair.

After a complete drying, I was ready to attempt repairing the liner. I bought epoxy from Lowe's under the recommendation of the salesman. I think it just might work. I'll have to let you know after it's been in use for a few days. For those of you having the same problems try using an enzyme/bacteria cat product like Simple Solution or Nature's Miracle first, then wash it once the odor is gone.

Thanks for the tip

I've only used water. I'm concerned detergents would leave new odors.

I don't know if epoxy is the best way to repair the liner. It's not flexible so I think it would crack pretty quickly. People have used bicycle tire repair kits which come with small sheets of rubber and flexible adhesives.

I have also seen some thick rubber tape at home depot. I don't know how it would hold up but the stick factor is super sticky, so it may work. Its about 2-3 inches wide, sort of like duct tape only thicker.

try goop.

Thanks for the suggestions. I've never heard of these products. My second globe also needs a repair, but it is nowhere near as bad as the first one. The epoxy was a mess! I got it on there, but it sets very quickly and I was getting it everywhere. I should have had an assistant. I haven't checked today to see if it is keeping urine inside the globe yet. I switched out the crystals for Nature's Miracle litter and now my big guy is using the other one.

I have to agree that the wrong cleaner can leave an unpleasant smell. Plastic holds odors. My cats are very used to the clean scent of Simple Solution and the dish detergent left no odor. As I have found cleaning the globe pointless in the past, I almost never washed them . There was a lot of odor to get out and I think the oxy formula helped especially to get into the crevices not just sit on the surface. The cats are fine with it as evidenced by the several clumps I found in the drawer this morning. I did an abrupt litter change to a litter they have never used exclusively and it's going well. I have watched some of my cats stick their head in and leave then come back think about it leave then finally go. I stuck my head in and the globe reeked! They definately like it much better now.

Well, I can't help but add to the cleaning tips.... I probably selected the LR over the SF for its cleaning challenges!

For maintenance, I decided to do an every week wipe out of the globe and an every two month shampoo. I have a larger shower with one of the shower heads on a hose that can be taken down and used by hand. I wiped out the globe first then took it to the shower, shampood the inside, put a glob of V05 under the screen (area where the litter goes when the globe cycles) added hot water for a sudsy effect, let it sit for a while, putting in more water as needed, washed it as well as I could under there (don't have a brush for it yet but will get one), and rinsed well with hot, hot water --- also ran hot, hot water in the vents. I kept the hot water going for a few minutes. It seemed pretty darned clean after that, very little odor and after it dried, pretty much no odor.

I think the globe needs to be cleaned on a regular basis with my cats. They have soft icky poop! Hard poop may not be as much of an issue but the soft stuff can get messy and smelly!

I live in apartment so I too use the shower to clean and usually run only hot water. I do use wipes for daily touching up. My problem is that after my first expirience washing the globe, I decided it was a lot of work for nothing and almost never washed it. Then when the lining ripped, at first I didn't realize what was going on in the round holes. By the time I figured it out, I think the odors had bonded with the globe and seeped into small crevices I couldn't reach. Now I get a fresh start. I do highly reccomend the Oxo toilet brush. I bought one just for cleaning LR as I use the disposable toilet cleaners. It is the sturdiest, best toilet brush ever and comes with it's own stand. The available color choices are hideous and it's about $20 but worth it.

mskitty666 wrote: I do highly reccomend the Oxo toilet brush. I bought one just for cleaning LR as I use the disposable toilet cleaners. It is the sturdiest, best toilet brush ever and comes with it's own stand. The available color choices are hideous and it's about $20 but worth it.

Thanks for the tip on the toilet brush. I'll look for it.

I have the LR II. I do not smell any odors. The outside of the globe never gets an ounce of dirt. Inside, it doesnt seem to have dirt. As far as disinfecting, it seels the litter is where the junk is mainly and a bit on the plastic weighted mat but it doesn't leave bad smells or junk in there.

I havent seen anything rip or seem anything that can rip really.

Again this is the LR 2

Hi Mike -- Glad to hear the LR is working out for you.

I have detected an odor about the LRII -- and, whether an odor develops could depend upon which cat is doing the pooping/urinating, what the poop is like (hard, soft, etc.), where the poop/urine is deposited inside the globe (in the litter or on other parts of the globe) and what litter is being used.

My cat has soft poop -- he poops near the door and will often hit an area not covered by litter. The uncovered poop can smear inside the globe when it rotates. The interior of the globe can develop an odor. I have not been using perfumed litters and the interior began to smell like poop at my house (the cats are using another box with crystals for urinating) despite my cleaning.

Also little bits of poop (depending on the litter, perhaps) can get dispersed with the litter under the screen.

I used Nature's Miracle litter when I was hand-scooping -- mixed it with two other flushable litters but this did not work well in the LR. However, someone just posted trying Nature's Miracle by itself in the LR and reported good results. So I bought a bag this weekend, scrubbed out the LR, and am giving it a try to determine if it controls the odor inside the globe.

Also, other forum members have reported that cats who like to dig apparently can claw through the rubbery black surface of the globe or have been able to in the past.

The liner in the original LR is more prone to tearing than the new smooth vinyl liner in the LR2. The old liner is kind of rough so cats could really dig their claws into it and cause some damage. We'll have to see how smooth the vinyl liner stays after a year or two of use.

We've had our Litter Robot for over four years now. We clean our globe about once every six months outdoors with a garden hose and Simple Green. We (who am I kidding...I...my wife takes care of the dogs! ) also wipe out the bottom portion inside and out as bits of material find their way there too. There is a somewhat noticeable chemical smell at first from the product but it fades quickly.

Then about once every two weeks we spray the inside (top and backside) with Febreeze. Our two cats seem to appreciate the "clean" smell.

We use Arm and Hammer "Multicat Formula" cat litter. It clumps well, has a nice aroma and works well for us. Available at Target in large and jumbo sizes for a good price.

Cheerz!

The epoxy held for about two weeks and it was like when I first got my LRs. Now were back to the disgusting stench of urine on a daily basis. I used super glue on my other globe and it is doing much better. I can't afford to upgrade to a LRII right now, so this weekend I'm off to get some goop and rubber tape. I have been using the Nature's Miracle litter as well for several weeks. At first it was great, but now I'm having some of the same issues I had with WBCL. I really want to use a natural litter, but am getting the feeling I may have to settle for regular clumping litter. I haven't tried Feline Pine Scoop yet but that will probably be the next step.

It is really great to hear about those cats who go in LR, actually turn around, then deposit their waste right in the litter and cover it. My cats seem to prefer urinating on the entrance or step, high on the back wall and pooping then not covering it up. I am quite certain I will have odor issues when I am able to upgrade. For those of you who don't, count your blessings I did see my kitten do the funniest thing. He always tries to assist me whenever I am tending to their robots. Usually he also suddenly realizes he needs to do some business. When he urinates, he goes in and squats without turning around (oh no, not another one). When he defecates he goes in, turns around, places all four paws on the entrance, then hovers just inside the globe. He then jumps out and runs away! It's the funniest thing I have seen Every time he does this it cracks me up.

I will update as soon as I repatch my globe on how it's working.

My dumb cat lately has been digging a hole in the middle of the litter, whizzing straight backwards (makes a nice sound as it hits the back of the globe) and then wiggles his paws in the litter without even trying to cover up the hole. He obviously has no idea what he's doing.