Cat Litter Mat – Washable Matters

Hi! I’m Diane, founder of Americat Company and a cat mom for over 20 years. Thank you for choosing Americat Company and for supporting my small, U.S. business!

A cat litter mat is a must to keep the area around the litter box clean. Litter mats reduce litter tracked through the house, keep urine from soaking into floors, and allow for a quicker cleanup of odors and messes.

Our cat litter mat is very different from typical litter mats. Here's a quick comparison:

	Americat Company	Other Brands
How to Clean?	Machine washable	Spot clean or rinse
Waterproof?	Yes	Sometimes
Country of Origin?	Made in USA	Made overseas
Texture?	Soft fabric	Rough textures and spikes
Safety?	BPA-free, phthalate-free, and PFAS-free	Unknown

Americat Company Litter Mat

Why Washable Matters

Today, I want to focus on one feature in particular: washability.

And when I say washable, I mean in a washing machine.

Too many litter mats are labeled "spot clean only." Wiping the surface doesn't fully clean it. And rinsing the litter mat outside with a hose or in the shower is messy and inconvenient.

How to Wash Your Americat Company Litter Mats

Americat Company cat litter mats are machine washable. This is how to care for them:

Machine wash separately. Wash on a gentle cycle with cool or warm water.
Hang dry. Do not machine dry. Air drying helps preserve the waterproof backing and structure.

Other Tips

Vacuum. Between washings, simply vacuum or shake off the litter mat.

Deep Clean. For an extra deep clean after an accident, you could shake baking soda onto the litter mat, spray it with vinegar, and let it soak for a few hours before following the washing instructions above.

A Note on Detergent: Always Choose Unscented

It may be tempting to reach for a detergent that smells “fresh,” especially after a litter box accident. But cats don't like perfumes or fragrances.

Cats have a much stronger sense of smell than we do. The smell of perfumed detergent can be overwhelming or even irritating to them. A strong, unfamiliar smell may make your cat avoid the litter box area, which is the last thing we want.

That's why I always recommend using an unscented detergent for litter mats, bedding, and anything your cat uses that gets washed.

These are the brands I use:

Liquid Option: Free & Clear, Plant Based, Made in USA

Pod Option: Free & Clear, Plastic-free, EWG Verified, Made in USA

An unscented detergent keeps the litter box area neutral, familiar, and, comfortable for your cat.

How Often Should You Wash a Litter Mat?

You do not need to wash your Americat Company litter mat once it arrives.

I wash Lewie and Nelly's mats anytime there is an accident. I vacuum each mat every other week or so and wash them about twice per year.

Locations for Cat Litter Boxes

Pair your new litter mat with the right litter box location. Cats prefer:

Calm, quiet areas
Spaces away from food and water
Locations where they already hang out

We wrote a full guide on this topic if you want more detail: Where to Put the Litter Box.

Summary: Why Machine Washable Cat Litter Mats Are Better

In creating Americat Company cat litter mats, this is why I felt so strongly that our mats needed to be machine washable, not just “rinseable.”

A cat litter mat that is washable:

Gets fully cleaned with soap, water, and heat. (not just surface-level)
Helps remove bacteria and odors
Saves time and effort

Our goal was to create a cat litter mat that was safe, effective, easy to clean, and built to last.

The litter box area can be prone to bacteria from cat poop or pee, so being able to wash litter mats fully, quickly, and easily helps keep your home tidy. A win-win for both you and your cats!

About Us: Americat Company is where love for cats meets American craftsmanship. Founded in 2016, we are a cat-loving, woman-owned, small business. We make cat products in the USA from safe, durable, U.S. materials. Shop all our made in the USA cat products here.