Cat Litter as a Dehumidifier? Facts or Fiction

Have you ever noticed how dry cat litter is?

It’s not by accident.

Cat litter is designed to be highly absorbent in order to soak up your pet’s waste and keep their litter box clean and odor-free.

But did you ever wonder if this absorbency rate extends beyond the litter box? We were curious if cat litter can absorb moisture from the air as well.

moisture measurement — We started by removing the litter and measuring the humidity in the room which was at 56%

So we did some testing that we will share in this blog post

Quick Answer

Given it’s absorbency, it’s not surprising that some people have found alternative and out of the box uses for cat litter, such as using it as a dehumidifier. Everything started when we placed a tray of cat litter in a damp room, hoping to reduce dampness and prevent the growth of mould. But did it work? The answer is YES. Cat litter, particularly the clay-based one that we used, absorbed moisture from the air due to the hygroscopic properties it has

Understanding Cat Litter

Cat litter is more than just a convenient place for our furry friends to do their business. It’s a very carefully designed product by very big companies. made from materials that are known to have a high absorbency rate.

The most traditional ones are made from clay, specifically a type of clay called bentonite. Bentonite clay is known for being able to absorb large amounts of liquid, making it the ideal material to be used as cat litter.

humidity in the room with cat litter present — We added the cat litter and measured the humidity which dropped to 39%

Practical Uses of Cat Litter for Moisture Control

The absorbent properties of cat litter make it useful for more than just trying to dehumidify a room. It can also be used to absorb moisture in damp basements, reducing the risk of mold.

Additionally, cat litter can even be used to prevent condensations in cars, by placing a sock filled with cat litter on the dashboard overnight. This can help to absorb excess moisture and prevent your windows from fogging up.

Safety and Environmental Considerations

While cat litter can be an effective tool for moisture control, it’s very important to have a thought about it’s environmental impact. Most common cat litters that can absorb humidity like clay ones are not biodegradable. This means they can contribute to landfill waste. Additionally, flushing used cat litter down the toilet, can lead to plumbing issues and can harm aquatic life. If you are looking for a eco-friendly alternative, consider using a more environmentally friendly like biodegradable cat litter

Conclusion

In conclusion, cat litter does indeed have the ability to absorb moisture from the air, making it a potentially useful tool for controlling humidity and preventing dampness in your home. However, we think it’s important to think about the environmental impact of using cat litter in this way, and try to explore more sustainable options where possible

FAQ:

Q: Can I use cat litter to dehumidify my basement?

A: Yes, cat litter can be used to absorb excess moisture in damp basements

Q: Is it safe to use cat litter as a desiccant?

A: Yes, it’s safe to use cat litter as a desiccant. However, it’s important to keep it out of reach of children and pets to prevent accidents

Q: What type of cat litter is best for absorbing moisture?

A: Clay-based and silica gel cat litters are generally the most effective at absorbing moisture

Q: Can I reuse cat litter as a desiccant?

A: No, one cat litter has absorbed moisture, it can’t effectively be dried out and reused as a desiccant.

We hope this blog post has provided you with a better understanding of the absorbent properties of cat litter and it’s potential uses beyond the litter box.

As always, we encourage you to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.