Frequently Asked Questions

Product Information and Usage

• Can Fresh Step^® cat litter be used to provide traction for a car on snow and ice?

  Yes! Fresh Step^® non-clumping cat litter can help get your car out in two ways. The first is prevention: Keep a bag of Fresh Step^® non-clumping litter in your trunk for added weight so (hopefully) you don’t get stuck in the first place. If your car does get stuck, you can use Fresh Step^® non-clumping litter (100% clay with no filler) to help to free your vehicle. It’s very important to make sure you use the non-clumping version. Our scoopable and crystal versions will cause a slippery mess.

  1. 1. First, clear out any snow or debris from your tailpipe. This ensures that the car won’t fill with any dangerous gases.
  2. 2. Break up as much snow and ice from around the stuck wheels.
  3. 3. Open your package of Fresh Step^® (again, make sure it’s the non-clumping variety).
  4. 4. Sprinkle the litter in front of your stuck wheels.
  5. 5. Use the lowest gear possible. As soon as your car starts to slip, reverse a bit, then try again. Go back and forth until you gain traction. Be gentle and accelerate slowly.
  6. 6. Got extra cat litter? Use it on your driveway or front walk for traction.

• Can Fresh Step^® cat litter be used to soak up motor oil?

  Yes. A 10-pound sack of our non-clumping cat litter can soak up to a gallon of liquid; pour over spills, then sweep up. Try grinding into the spill with a brick or an old shoe for faster results. Please check local regulations for how to properly dispose of the used litter.

  However, we do not recommend using our clumping cat litter or crystals to absorb motor oil.

• How should I dispose of Fresh Step^® cat litter? Is it okay to flush it down the toilet?

  Used litter and solid waste should only be disposed of in the trash. We do not recommend flushing any cat litter down the toilet.

• Can Fresh Step^® cat litter be used with an automatic litter box?

  The ScoopFree™ automatic litter box is designed to work specifically with Fresh Step^® Crystals. All other litters are not recommended for this purpose.

• Will I still need to scoop Fresh Step^® Crystals?

  Fresh Step^® Crystals do not clump upon exposure to urine. Fresh Step^® Crystals users only need to regularly remove and dispose of solid waste in the trash and rake crystals to maintain freshness. The non-clumping absorbency of the crystals eliminates the need for daily scooping of wet clumps created by urination. You only need to replace the entire box of litter once every one or two months.

• Can I mix scoopable and non-scoopable litters?

  We do not recommend mixing Fresh Step^® Scoopable litter and Fresh Step^® Clay, as this will inhibit the scoopable litter’s capacity to clump.

• What are the ingredients of Fresh Step^® cat litter products?

  Fresh Step^® Regular Clay litter contains a high-quality non-scoopable clay, fragrance and borates. Fresh Step^® Scoopable litter with the power of Febreze™ uses a proprietary technology containing premium scoopable clay (sodium bentonite), limestone, activated charcoal, fragrance and an antimicrobial agent (borates). Febreze is developed specifically for the product application, and it is designed to be used in litter and safe for your cat. Fresh Step^® Crystals is made from silica gel, a porous substance that quickly traps liquid and then allows it to evaporate, and added fragrance for even more odor protection.

• Where can Fresh Step^® litter products be purchased?

  Fresh Step^® litter products are available nationwide in drug and grocery stores, and larger stores such as Wal-Mart, Target and Kmart stores, as well as club channels, such as BJ’s and Sam’s, and pet specialty stores such as PetSmart and PETCO.

• Which Fresh Step^® cat litter is best for me?

  We offer a range of products that meets every cat’s particular needs:

  • Fresh Step^® Clay is the non-clumping clay litter that is paw-activated for immediate freshness. Its patented antimicrobial agent inhibits the growth of bacterial odor, giving you unsurpassed odor control (versus clay litters from other brands*). Fresh Step^® Clay offers minimal maintenance at a great value. Simply scoop out solids and empty your litter box once a week. The formula is lightweight and offers large granules, which reduces the amount of litter your cat will track throughout the house.

  • Fresh Step^® with the power of Febreze™ Scoopable litter has a proprietary technology to provide unbeatable odor control by absorbing and eliminating, not just masking odors. These products also feature a lower dust formula for cleaner surfaces and clearer air in your home. Fresh Step has partnered with Febreze to ensure that each box meets the highest levels of freshness. You can avoid complete litter box changes for as long as 2 months, depending on the number of cats you have.

  • Fresh Step^® Crystals offers the breakthrough technology of odor-trapping crystals. The crystals lock in odor-causing wetness and stop urine odors 5x better than the leading regular litter^†. The crystals are extremely lightweight and soft on sensitive paws.

  * Versus clay litters from other brands
  † Based on lab tests with cat urine

• What makes Fresh Step^® premium cat litter products different from other cat litters?

  We only use high-quality clay and crystal ingredients in Fresh Step^® litters. Fresh Step^® clay litter products contain encapsulated fresheners to freshen your home with every step. Our scoopable litters have odor-eliminating carbon for maximum odor control. Both Fresh Step^® Clay and Fresh Step^® Scoopable formulas contain a patented odor neutralizer that inhibits the growth of certain bacteria which can increase odor. Fresh Step^® with the power of Febreze™ has a proprietary technology to provide unbeatable odor control by absorbing and eliminating odors while delivering the highest levels of freshness. Fresh Step^® Crystals offer premium-grade crystals for maximum odor control. The crystals lock in odors, absorb wetness on contact, and feel soft on sensitive paws.

Troubleshooting

• What should I do if my cat won’t use Fresh Step^® Crystals?

  If you’ve recently switched to Fresh Step^® Crystals, your cat may need a little time to adjust. This is the case with any litter. You can make the transition easier for your cat by mixing one part Fresh Step^® Crystals to one part old litter for a few days to a week. After one week, empty the box completely and refill with only Fresh Step^® Crystals.

• Why do Fresh Step^® Crystals change color during use?

  It’s normal for the blue crystals to change color due to exposure to yellow urine. You don’t need to remove these crystals; they are simply doing their job.

• Why doesn’t Fresh Step^® Crystals clump like other cat litters?

  Fresh Step^® Crystals is made of silica gel. It is not a clay litter, and therefore does not clump. If you prefer clumping litters, try Fresh Step^® Scoopable or Fresh Step^® Plus Dual Action Crystals^®.

• The Fresh Step^® Scoopable litter in my cat’s box isn’t clumping. What’s wrong?

  There are few explanations for this. First, when initially filling the cat box, be sure there are at least 3 to 4 inches of litter in the box. This initial filling may require 14 lbs. of litter or more. Second, each time clumps of waste are removed from the litter tray, fresh litter must be added to the box as insufficient litter will inhibit clumping. Finally, do not mix non-clumping litters with Fresh Step^® Scoopable as this will also inhibit clumping.

• The cat litter doesn’t seem to be absorbing the urine. What could be wrong?

  Fresh Step^® cat litter products have proven to be highly effective at liquid absorption. To ensure the product works most effectively, follow the usage instructions on the package for the appropriate fill level (at least 2–3 inches for Fresh Step^® Clay, 3–4 inches for Fresh Step^® Scoopable, 1½ inches for Fresh Step^® Crystals). Remove your cat’s waste on a daily basis and replace the entire litter box as needed (usually about once a week for Fresh Step^® Clay, and once every 1–2 months for Fresh Step^® Scoopable, and every month for Fresh Step^® Crystals), and more often if you have more than one cat. Finally, keep the litter box in open, well-ventilated areas.

• The litter does not control odor. Why not?

  Fresh Step^® cat litter products have proven to be highly effective at controlling odors. There are a few things that you can do to ensure that the product works most effectively. First, be sure to follow the usage instructions on the package for the appropriate fill level (at least 2–3 inches for Fresh Step^® Clay, 3–4 inches for Fresh Step^® Scoopable, 1½ inches for Fresh Step^® Crystals). Second, remove your cat’s waste on a daily basis and replace the entire litter box as needed (usually about once a week for Fresh Step^® Clay, and about once every one to two months for Fresh Step^® Scoopable and Fresh Step^® Crystals). Finally, keep the litter box in open, well-ventilated areas.

• The litter I’ve purchased seems lumpy. Is this normal?

  Our high quality control standards ensure our litter products are packaged dry; however, once the product leaves our warehouses, we cannot control the storage methods used by others. The products can absorb moisture and become lumpy if stored in a damp place in the stores or in your home. To prevent lumping after purchase, store your cat litter in a cool, dry place.

• The litter I purchased seems dusty. Is it okay to use?

  Fresh Step is committed to providing the most superior litter with odor control. We recognize dust associated with cat litter can be a nuisance. That’s why we’ve improved our formula to produce dramatically less dust, while providing even better odor control. Our goal is for all cats — and their humans — to be thrilled with Fresh Step^®. As always, Fresh Step^® is designed with the safety of you and your favorite felines in mind. But please note: Pregnant women and immunosuppressed individuals should always avoid contact with used litter due to the risk of toxoplasmosis.

Health and Safety

• Does Fresh Step^® with the power of Febreze™ have a strong scent?

  Fresh Step^® with the power of Febreze™ leaves behind a light, fresh clean scent that again, was designed to be used in litter and safe for your cat. It does not contain chemicals that are harmful to your cat.

• Is Fresh Step^® with the power of Febreze™ harmful to cats?

  The Febreze technology is designed specifically for the type of product application. In litter, we use a proprietary odor control technology designed to absorb, trap and eliminate the type of odors that you find in your litter box all while being safe around your pets and family. Fresh Step^® with the power of Febreze™ does not contain chemicals that are harmful to your cat.

  In fact, at Clorox as a whole, the safety of you, your family, pets and the environment is a top priority. Our Global Stewardship and Product Safety and Regulatory Compliance departments rigorously evaluate a product's safety, efficacy and regulatory compliance before it makes it to store shelves. Want to know more? Clorox’s product safety policy is here.

• What if I want to use a Fresh Step^® Scoopable Litter without the power of Febreze™ — what product should I buy?

  We recommend that you try one of Fresh Step’s Unscented products, or Fresh Step^® Triple Action.

• Are there any human health concerns for people who come in contact with Fresh Step^® Crystals?

  While there are no health risks associated with unused Fresh Step^® Crystals, pregnant women and immunosuppressed persons should avoid handling any kind of used litter. Toxoplasmosis, an illness characterized by cold or flu-like symptoms, can be transmitted by cat feces. It is especially serious in pregnant women because it can cause birth defects. For further information, consult your doctor.

• I’ve heard news reports that say products containing crystalline silica are unsafe. Are Fresh Step^® Crystals safe for my cat?

  Yes, Fresh Step^® Crystals are extremely safe for your cat. Fresh Step^® Crystals do not contain crystalline silica within scientific detection limits. Silica gel is a safe substance most commonly used to absorb excess moisture in flowers and food or to protect materials such as leather or computer equipment from humidity. It’s perfect for safely absorbing cat urine and eliminating odors.

• Is Fresh Step^® cat litter flammable or combustible?

  No. Fresh Step^® cat litter products are not flammable or combustible in any way.

• Is Fresh Step^® cat litter biodegradable?

  No. Like most cat litters, Fresh Step^® Clay and Fresh Step^® Scoopable litters are primarily made of clay, a natural but non-biodegradable mineral found in the earth. Fresh Step^® Crystals are not biodegradable, but are compatible with most landfill requirements.

• Is Fresh Step^® cat litter harmful to cats or other animals if ingested?

  Fresh Step^® cat litter is not known to cause harm to animals, including kittens, when ingested in small amounts. However, if a pet eats a large amount of any litter (e.g., a bowlful), we recommend that you consult a veterinarian.

• Are Fresh Step^® products safe for animals other than cats?

  Fresh Step^® products are not recommended for use with dogs, rabbits, ferrets or any pets other than cats.

• Is it unsafe for pregnant women to handle unused cat litter?

  Unused cat litter is safe for handling by pregnant women. However, pregnant women should avoid handling used cat litter. Toxoplasmosis, an illness characterized by cold or flu-like symptoms, can be transmitted by cat feces. This is an especially serious concern for pregnant women, because it can cause birth defects. Immunosuppressed persons may also be susceptible to toxoplasmosis. For further information, consult your doctor.

• Will my cats notice the difference if I change litters?

  All Fresh Step^® cat litter is made with your cat’s health and happiness in mind. We take pride in developing products that your cat will love to use, and that feels good on sensitive paws. If your cat is extra-finicky, you might want to slowly transition to the new litter over a few days. Put half of the old litter in the box along with half of your new Fresh Step^® litter. After a day or two, replace this mixture with a full box of sweet-smelling Fresh Step^® litter.

Miscellaneous

• Can I submit a photo of my cat for a Fresh Step^® commercial?

  While we are flattered you would want your cat in one of our commercials, our legal department won’t let us use them in our ads. However, we’d love you to show off your beautiful felines on the Fresh Step site, and share them with other cat lovers. You can even earn Paw Points^® for sharing your cat pics.