Anyone else frustrated with litter keepers/lockers?

[sweetblackpaws]

I have 4 cats and can't decide if the work/cost of litter lockers are worth it. I have tried Litter Genie and Litter Champ, and much prefer Litter Champ, however, between the cost of refills and cleaning the actual LC, I am just not sure it is worth it anymore. Plus, it stinks, so I find myself cleaning the LC as much as the litter boxes!

Your thoughts on this conundrum? Seems like little baggies might be easier (like dog poo baggies)?

 

[Talien]

I just use plastic grocery bags. I make the rounds cleaning the boxes, then toss the bag in the trash can outside.

 

[sweetblackpaws]

That sounds ideal, but I live in an apartment (quite a ways away from dumpster which is on other side of building). Not that I can't go there, I can, but not as convenient as a litter locker.

 

[Tobermory]

I use brown paper lunch bags. I buy them at my local grocery store--100 bags for $2.99.

 

[sweetblackpaws]

That is a pretty good deal. But how often do you take the trash out?

If I just put the poo baggies in my trash can not sure I could make it until trash day :

If I didn't live in an apartment, I would just take the baggies outside daily and dump them in the trash.

 

[sweetblackpaws]

I realize I am probably overthinking this, but I am older and not in perfect health - the LC is probably easier than going to the dumpster every day, but I am frustrated with the cost and the smell,

 

[LTS3]

I just use plastic grocery store bags.I take the trash out twice daily, once as I head off to work and again before bedtime. I have a trash chute on my floor so it's not a big deal to take the trash out. Going outside to a dumpster is probably a pain unless you're already going out to run errands or something.

Maybe instead of a litter locker, just use a plastic bucket with a locking lid. Fill it with bags of waste and take the bucket out to the dumpster once a week or however often. Maybe line the bucket with a trash bag so you can just pull out the bag when full, tie off, and take to the dumpster. Add a box of baking soda or stick an air freshener to the underside of the lid to keep odors down.

 

[IndyJones]

I've just used a diaper pail. Widly available and they contain the smell.

 

[sweetblackpaws]

All good ideas; I am also thinking maybe just a covered step can, and I can use scented liners. They are probably just as effective as LG/LC liners and quite inexpensive. Between the poop bags and the scented liners, maybe I could go a few days without making a dumpster trip.

I just cleaned out the LC tonight - it was so gross, lol!

 

[LTS3]

Dollar-type stores sell scented trash bags The bags tend to be pretty thin though so you may need to use 2 bags to hold up to the weight of litter box clumps.

 

[sweetblackpaws]

Good point - my furbabies "clumps" are like small cannonballs...

 

[hexiesfriend]

I have multiple litterboxes and just prefer having a litter genie by each litter box. If I only had one litter box I’d probably not have them

 

[sweetblackpaws]

I have 4 giant litter boxes for my giant cats.

 

[hexiesfriend]

It’s tough lugging the ziploc bag around 3 litter boxes. I don’t really have any odor coming from mine probably because I have to change the bag more often because I have 6 cats and the get fuller faster. I use the litter genie. The refills are cheapest at Walmart about $11.25 for 2. Maybe you can empty the bag more often so it smells less. I’m not sure how the LC works if it’s like the litter genie.

 

[jcat]

I gave up on the Litter Locker because of the cost of refills, and frankly, it didn't do a great job keeping odor in. Now I use an "Oscar" type of plastic wastepaper basket - a mini garbage pail - lined with a scented, heavy-duty drawstring plastic bag and discard the bag when it's full. Odor control is much better due to the tight-fitting lid.

 

[sweetblackpaws]

I agree, Jcat. I wouldn't begrudge the high cost of the refills if the systems worked that well. But I spend more time cleaning the litter champ than the litter boxes. The stuff just gets in all the nooks and crannies and the stench when I open it is just too much. I don't know what an Oscar can is , I will Google that!

 

[LTS3]

I don't know what an Oscar can is , I will Google that!

I think it's just a trash can similar to the one Oscar The Grouch lives in on Sesame Street

Really, any container with a tight fitting lid will work for bags of litter waste.

 

[sweetblackpaws]

Oh! Lol! I should have realized that!

 

[lollie]

All good ideas; I am also thinking maybe just a covered step can, and I can use scented liners. They are probably just as effective as LG/LC liners and quite inexpensive. Between the poop bags and the scented liners, maybe I could go a few days without making a dumpster trip.

I just cleaned out the LC tonight - it was so gross, lol!

Years ago, when I first got my cat, I tried the doggie bags and a lined step can. Stunk all the time. I got a Litter Genie and never looked back. Amazon has good deals on the refills for Prime day in July, and I stock up. Have gotten new cans too when there was an included deal. A tip someone posted that I use, is to use small zip ties, instead of making knots. It saves an extra length of bag.

 

[sweetblackpaws]

I actually did not like the Litter Genie and I threw it out. The poo would get stuck in the first compartment - the sliding tray just didn't seem to push it down. I don't have that problem with the Litter Champ, but I find myself always cleaning it and it doesn't seem to control odor that well.