Wood-based cat litter, one of the cheapest items on a pet-shop shelf, can be put to work well beyond the litter tray, according to a household tips guide that recommends the pellets for everything from damp car interiors to garden bonfires.
The guide states that buying an ordinary wood litter solves several problems at once, both at home and at a dacha, the countryside cottage many people use as a weekend retreat, without spending money on specialist deodorising products.
Fighting damp and odours
Wood litter pellets absorb both moisture and smells effectively. The guide suggests pouring the granules into a linen or cotton bag, or even an old sock if nothing else is on hand, then placing it inside a car or a wet shoe. It will not fix a broken air-conditioning system or replace washing filthy shoes, but where the problem is minor, the litter will soak up excess moisture and unwanted odours.
The same bags of granules can be placed in wardrobes, cabinets and even the fridge, where they help keep things dry and fresh.
For an outdoor toilet
Many dacha properties have a wooden outdoor toilet, and cat litter can be used there for its original purpose, just not by cats. Pouring the granules into the toilet makes the unpleasant smell far less noticeable, the guide says.
Lighting a fire
The wood pellets burn well, but only when dry, which makes them useful for lighting a stove, barbecue, fireplace or campfire. Anyone struggling to get a fire going can scatter a handful of the cheap litter and light it, though the guide recommends using the plainest, most basic litter, without additives or fragrances, for this purpose.
Not for flowers, unless it is mineral
Standard wood-based litter should not be used for houseplants. For potted flowers, the guide recommends mineral litter containing zeolite instead, which acts as a soil conditioner, holding water and the nutrients added when plants are fed with fertiliser. This lets roots absorb nutrients gradually rather than in one excessive dose.
For general household jobs, the cheapest ordinary wood litter is enough, the guide notes, but anyone wanting to mix granules into plant soil should look for a mineral product containing zeolite instead.
