Quick answer
A sifting litter box liner sits under your cat's litter and has holes in it. When it's time to clean, you lift the liner. Clean litter falls back through the holes into the box, and clumps and waste stay on top, ready to throw away. It does the scoop's job in one lift.
Scooping is the litter box job nobody enjoys. It's slow and messy, and every scoop takes some clean litter with it. Sifting liners are a simpler way to do the same job. Here's how they work, which litters and boxes they suit, and how to set up CatSheets, our sifting liner system.
In this guide
- What is a sifting litter box liner?
- How sifting liners work
- Sifting vs scooping
- Which litter works best
- Will it fit your litter box?
- How to set up CatSheets
- Tips for a cleaner sift
- FAQs
What is a sifting litter box liner?
A sifting litter box liner is a liner with holes that sits in your litter box, under the litter. Instead of digging through the box with a scoop, you lift the liner to separate the waste from the clean litter.
Sifting liners come in a few styles, including bag-style liners with elastic or drawstring edges, layered sifting trays, and flat sifting sheets like CatSheets. They all work the same way: the holes let clean litter fall through, but clumps and waste are too big to pass.
How do sifting litter box liners work?
CatSheets work in three simple steps:
- Set it. The sifting sheets go into your litter box, under at least 3 inches of litter.
- Lift it. When it's time to clean, lift the top sheet. Clean litter falls back through the holes into the box.
- Toss it. Clumps and waste stay on the sheet. Throw the sheet away with the waste. The next sheet is already in place under the litter.
With clumping litter in a standard-size box, the whole sift takes about five seconds.
See it in action: watch the 5-second sift on our homepage.
Sifting vs scooping: what's the difference?
| Scooping | CatSheets sifting liner | |
|---|---|---|
| How you clean | Dig through the litter with a scoop | Lift the top sheet |
| Tools | Scoop and a bag | No scoop needed |
| Clean litter | Some comes out with every scoop | Falls back through the holes into the box |
| What goes in the trash | Waste, plus some clean litter | The used sheet and the waste on it |
Because clean litter falls back into the box, less usable litter ends up in the trash. How much you save depends on your litter, your box size and how often you clean.
Which litter works best with sifting liners?
Clumping litter sifts fastest, because firm clumps stay on top of the sheet while loose litter falls through.
CatSheets work with most litter types, including clumping clay, crystal, natural, wood, paper and tofu litters, as long as the pieces are under 3/8 inch (9.5 mm). Large pellets and extra-large crystals won't fit through the holes.
Will a sifting liner fit your litter box?
CatSheets are 32 x 36 inches. They fit small, medium, large and X-large boxes up to 21.75 x 16.75 x 6.5 inches. They may not fit every jumbo box, so measure your box before you order.
How to set up CatSheets
Each 13-piece kit has 12 sifting sheets and 1 solid transfer liner, made from HDPE plastic. Setup takes a minute:
- Start with a clean, empty box.
- Press the sheets into the box. Fit the corners so the sheets sit flat against the bottom and sides.
- Add at least 3 inches of litter. This gives your cat room to dig and lets the sheet sift properly.
Tips for a cleaner sift
- Keep the litter deep. At least 3 inches, topped up as needed.
- Use clumping litter for the fastest sift.
- Check the litter size. Pieces need to be under 3/8 inch to pass through the holes.
- Lift slowly and evenly, so clean litter has time to fall through.
Frequently asked questions
Do sifting litter box liners work with clumping litter?
Yes, and clumping litter works best. Firm clumps stay on the sheet while clean litter falls through. With clumping litter in a standard-size box, a CatSheets sift takes about five seconds.
Can I use pellet litter?
Only if the pieces are under 3/8 inch (9.5 mm). Large pellets and extra-large crystals won't sift through the holes.
Do I still need a litter scoop?
Not for everyday cleaning. Lifting the sheet does the scoop's job.
How much litter should I use?
Keep at least 3 inches of litter in the box.
Will CatSheets fit a jumbo litter box?
They fit boxes up to 21.75 x 16.75 x 6.5 inches, which covers most small to X-large boxes. Some jumbo boxes are bigger, so measure yours first.
Do you ship across the US?
Yes. Shipping is free in the US, and orders are processed in 1–2 business days.
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