# Is it a bad idea to store dishes in the same room as the litter box? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 27, 2014, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-a-bad-idea-to-store-dishes-in-the-same-room-as-the-litter-box/705773 "2014-11-27T17:35:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2014, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-a-bad-idea-to-store-dishes-in-the-same-room-as-the-litter-box/705773/1 "2014-11-27T17:35:58Z")
I have an over flow of pots and pans. I was thinking about moving some of the larger items into the utility room where I also keep the cats’ litter box. The pots themselves will be stored up high on a top shelf. So there’s no chance of stray litter bits finding their way to the pots. But still, would it be sanitary? ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2014, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-a-bad-idea-to-store-dishes-in-the-same-room-as-the-litter-box/705773/2 "2014-11-27T18:27:23Z")
I don’t see why it would be a problem, personally. If they’ll be in a cabinet, there should be no risk at all. If they’ll be on an open shelf, and you’re concerned, cover them with a towel. I assume that these particular pots and pans will only receive limited use (or else they wouldn’t be going to ‘overflow’ storage). In that case, they would probably get dusty just from being stored away for a time, so give them a quick rinse before using them and you should be covered either way. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2014, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-a-bad-idea-to-store-dishes-in-the-same-room-as-the-litter-box/705773/3 "2014-11-27T20:02:50Z")
If you have animals in the house, “sanitary” is already out of the question. But **Suburban Plankton** has sound real-world advice. Wash before use and you’ll (probably) get (most of) the accumulated litter box aroma off them. Certainly they’ll be plenty clean enough to not pose an overt health hazard. ---
**Author:** ![papergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/aca169/32.png) [@papergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/papergirl)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2014, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-a-bad-idea-to-store-dishes-in-the-same-room-as-the-litter-box/705773/4 "2014-11-27T23:42:14Z")
I have animals, but even if I didn’t, I think my mom’s lesson would still carry over: I wash every pot, pan, whatever before I use it, every time. Not necessarily a heavy-duty scrub, but a quick rinse and a going-over with a sponge if need be. Same with utensils, same with counter tops and stove top. Believe it or not, I’m the complete opposite of a neat freak. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2014, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-a-bad-idea-to-store-dishes-in-the-same-room-as-the-litter-box/705773/5 "2014-11-28T00:05:17Z")
My cats’ litter box doesn’t have “litter box aroma” and most litter boxes today don’t either since today’s litter is a lot better at containing things than the old plain clay litter was. And I certainly don’t think “sanitary” is out of the question in my house just because I have cats. On the other hand, I also think too much clean-freak-ness is bad for people so maybe I’m not very “sanitary.” But my cats are a lot more sanitary than some people’s children! 🙂 ETA: to answer the OP, no I don’t think it’s a bad idea; I think it’s no problem. I also agree that cooking items not used often should be washed before use. ---
**Author:** ![chiroptera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2014, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-a-bad-idea-to-store-dishes-in-the-same-room-as-the-litter-box/705773/6 "2014-11-28T00:26:02Z")
Yeah, what they all said. No more or less “sanitary” than having a litter box in the bathroom where your toothbrushes are stored. And I have a shelf where little-used kitchen equipment is stored - no litter box - but I always do a quick hot water and detergent rinse just to freshen up anyway. So I don’t see the issue. ---
**Author:** ![Pai325](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Pai325](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pai325)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2014, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-a-bad-idea-to-store-dishes-in-the-same-room-as-the-litter-box/705773/7 "2014-11-28T00:36:30Z")
My daughter’s roommate did that, and it wasn’t having the litter box in the room that was the problem, but that the cat liked to climb and walk around the shelves, so there would be bits of litter in the pots and pans. The roommate wasn’t too concerned, but my daughter bought her own pots and pans and kept them in her room. So I agree, if you wash them before using, there shouldn’t be a problem. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2014, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-a-bad-idea-to-store-dishes-in-the-same-room-as-the-litter-box/705773/8 "2014-11-28T00:40:40Z")
Make sure you get litter that claims to be low dust. I know the cheaper brands are really bad about dust. It’s not good for kitties and the dust floats around everywhere every time they bury treasure. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2014, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-a-bad-idea-to-store-dishes-in-the-same-room-as-the-litter-box/705773/9 "2014-11-28T00:45:22Z")
if you long term store seldom used dishes outside the kitchen then wash before use. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2014, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-a-bad-idea-to-store-dishes-in-the-same-room-as-the-litter-box/705773/10 "2014-11-28T01:34:35Z")
Thanks guys. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2014, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-a-bad-idea-to-store-dishes-in-the-same-room-as-the-litter-box/705773/11 "2014-11-28T13:15:03Z")
We have shelves in our stairwell (the cat box sits on the landing) and pretty much everything stored out there is dusty. I’m pretty sure the dust comes from the litter box. If I need to use something that’s stored there, it gets washed before I use it. I’m certainly not giving up some much-needed storage because of the cat box. And we haven’t died yet, so my system seems to work fine. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![susanlinda823](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@susanlinda823](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susanlinda823)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2014, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-a-bad-idea-to-store-dishes-in-the-same-room-as-the-litter-box/705773/12 "2014-11-28T21:25:47Z")
If their high up, than no. Its ok. But cats do love to climb. Just please make sure to wash them before you use them! Last thing you want is kitty litter in your food! ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2014, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-a-bad-idea-to-store-dishes-in-the-same-room-as-the-litter-box/705773/13 "2014-11-29T06:28:45Z")
If you don’t use the pots/pans often, you could put them in a plastic storage box. I agree that I’d wash before using anyway – I tend to do this to all of my pots/pans anyway, just 'cause. Also, a top on the litter box can help reduce litter dust, if your cats don’t mind a covered box. IOW, this wouldn’t gross me out as a guest. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2014, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-a-bad-idea-to-store-dishes-in-the-same-room-as-the-litter-box/705773/14 "2014-11-29T08:47:36Z")
> [@GrumpyBunny](#): > > If you don’t use the pots/pans often, you could put them in a plastic storage box. I agree that I’d wash before using anyway – I tend to do this to all of my pots/pans anyway, just 'cause. This, or sealed in big plastic bags, like trash can liners. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2014, 9:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-a-bad-idea-to-store-dishes-in-the-same-room-as-the-litter-box/705773/15 "2014-11-29T09:18:00Z")
If they are surplus to requirements get rid of them. I moved a few months ago and ended up embarrassed by the amount of stuff I owned that I never used. So I gave it all away. You could sell it on ebay perhaps but whatever you do, if you “store” it you will never use it again. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2014, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-a-bad-idea-to-store-dishes-in-the-same-room-as-the-litter-box/705773/16 "2014-11-30T02:26:25Z")
> [@papergirl](#): > > I have animals, but even if I didn’t, I think my mom’s lesson would still carry over: I wash every pot, pan, whatever before I use it, every time. Not necessarily a heavy-duty scrub, but a quick rinse and a going-over with a sponge if need be. With a _sponge_??? Yech! That’s probably adding way more germs than were there before. Most germs need water to survive, so a dry, dusty pot will be comparatively sterile. But a moist sponge used to wash dishes – almost a perfect growth medium for germs.