Tips & Troubleshooting

These pages were developed to specifically address some of the most common issues people have reported, to help you get the most out of your system, and to provide you with some common-sense solutions to get you back up and running as quickly and easily as possible in case you run into problems. 

These tips get reviewed and updated regularly -- however if you encounter something and see no solution here, please contact me with your problem and I'll try to get back to you as quickly as possible -- usually within hours.

If you have any trouble with your tray at all (or if one of these tips doesn't seem to be working) please contact me directly at:  Foreverlittertrays@gmail.com.  I am always here to help, and can even provide live phone support if necessary.  (Sometimes a phone call is light-years faster at fixing a problem than emailing back and forth). 

Rake Tips

One thing that many folks have experienced is the premature rusting of the rake assembly on the Scoopfree machines.  We developed the Forever Rake Kit to remedy the situation -- a replacement rake made of stainless, coated with a stick-resistant coating.  The idea was to make a rust-proof substitute, and at the same time make it for less clinging of "stuff" to the rake.  The idea works well -- however it turns out that there was a change in the machine and rake assemblies with the newer SX3 and SX4 models, so that the Forever Rake Kit won't fit those later models.  One tip that I learned sometime back (before the rake kits) from a fellow cat owner who was pretty ingenious, is to spray a light coating of Pam non-stick cooking spray on your rake after cleaning.  It's help prevent rust, will make the rake more "slippery", and won't harm your cat!  (Sorry to say that we don't presently have any plans to make rake kits for the later models.....)

Tray seems to be Leaking

As the Forever Tray is made in one injection-molded piece from extremely strong high-impact plastic, there are no seams to leak.  So the only possiblity for leakage is the classic "side pee-er" situation.  While this happens in a fairly small percentage of cases, there are times when cats urinate against the side of the Scoop Free rather than (as we wish them to) -- directly into the litter.  This is a relatively small flaw in the design of the earlier machines (LB1, LB2, SX1 and SX2 models) that has since been corrected in the newer SX3 and SX4 models.  So chances are slim that you'll have this problem with the newest models.  However if your cat pees against the side of the machine it will show up with urine leakage under the unit no matter what  brand of replacement tray you use (cardboard or Forever).  With a little bit of time and some simple and inexpensive products readily available from your local hardware store or Home Depot this problem is easily fixed. 

Click here for a complete tutorial on how to take care of this.

Rake Catches on Clear Lid

While the majority of Forever tray users have had trouble-free operation, there have been a few people with the very early second generation of trays (shipped January through July of 2009) who have reported the rake catching on the clear lid as it clears the "poop compartment" on the return journey.  This issue has been completely resolved with the latest version of the trays by completely doing away with the clear lid, and replacing it with the new Forever Flap Kit.  You can update your existing Forever Tray (and eliminate the catching problem) by ordering just the Flap Kit only by clicking on the "Purchase/Order link here at the website).

Controlling Stubborn Odors

Sometimes no matter how hard we try we run out of ideas to get rid of stubborn litterbox odors.  I've put together some ideas gleaned from inputs from people who have been kind enough to write in, as well as Litterbox Central (mentioned elsewhere in the website as an excellent resource with lots of very nice, helpful fellow cat owners).

Please CLICK HERE for odor control tips.

And some other tips to help you get the most out of your Forever Tray...........

Cleaning for your tray

After a period you may notice what appears to be urine staining in one area.  Cats prefer to go in one spot, so an occasional stir of the crystals will not only make them last longer, it will also reduce the stain buildup.  If you do find stains -- not to worry!  Those stains are not in the plastic (which is very tough) but are instead a buildup on the plastic.  You can easily remove this (and the associated odors) by giving the bottom of the tray a good long soak in a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water.  Soak for several hours (or up to overnight, if necessary) and then scrub with a scrubbing sponge and it should come squeaky clean again. 

Basic box maintenance

"Reality vs. advertising" -- don't expect your Scoop Free to be completely "hands off" as the advertizing claims. While it's very, very good -- the best way to get the most of it is to do an occasional stir of the litter and to rake out excess poops from under the lid. Operative word is "occasional" -- maybe once every few days. It really helps, and is still worlds less trouble and smell than any other box I've found.  Cats tend to always urinate in the same spot, so what I mean by "stir" is to rake up the crystals from this dampest spot and distribute (really mix them in) with the dry crystals.  This allows them to release moisture to the air, and extends crystal life significantly.

With our two cats Jack and Stan I do a "rake and stir" once a week, usually on Wednesday.  Then on Sunday morning (after my first cup of coffee) I do a complete litter change.  Being lazy (and also the one who makes these), I use two trays and cycle them.  As part of my weekly garbage routine I take the kitchen garbage bag which is usually partially filled, and lay in on its side on the floor by the litter box.  I then tilt the Scoop Free back on it's end and slide the tray out, sliding one end into the garbage bag.  Leaving that end in the garbage bag I tip the tray up and slide the contents into the bag, nudging any extra damp bits into the bag with a pooper scooper.  I then take the soiled tray out back and hose it out and leave it there to air dry, and take the dry tray that's out there in and reinstall with fresh litter.  Total time about 7 minutes.  About once every other month I give the trays a "deep cleaning" with Lysol Kitchen Cleaner and a scotch-brite, as detailed above.

Full disclosure and honesty note: So that no one is confused or misled, The Forever Litter Tray is not made by or affiliated with Scoop Free in any way, and as such is not condoned by them for obvious reasons.  Even though the Forever Tray is a proven, reliable alternative to the disposable cardboard cartridges in all Scoop Free versions (and has been for years now) Scoop Free will not honor their warranty if they learn you are using anything but their product .  Rest assured that the Forever Tray is designed to give you many years of trouble-free operation (not to mention huge cost savings and helping slow the growth of our ever-increasing landfill).  Most questions can be answered by visiting the troubleshooting section here at the website, or by contacting me directly if you don't find your solution.

Please know that I am always here to help!