How To Clean Fleas from Cats & Carpet

Fleas are tiny insects that commonly live on household pets such as cats. If your cat is in your home and infested with fleas, you can expect to find fleas in various places around the house, particularly in your carpeting. Fleas pose a health risk not only to animals but also to humans. Cleaning fleas from cats and carpets will ensure the comfort and safety of both you and your cat.

Things You'll Need

  • Vacuum cleaner
  • 1 1/2 lbs. borax powder
  • 1 cup salt
  • 1 1/2 lbs. diatomaceous earth
  • Large bucket
  • Large spoon
  • Garbage bag
  • Flea comb
  • Flea-killing shampoo
  • Towel
  • Bowl
  • Distilled white vinegar
  • Water
  • Pet grooming brush
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Instructions

  1. Cleaning Fleas from Cats

    • 1

      Comb your cat with a flea comb. You can buy a flea comb at most pet supply stores. Run the comb slowly through the cat's fur. The comb will trap the fleas. Wipe the comb into a paper towel as the fleas come off the cat onto the comb. Squish the paper towel with your fingers to ensure that the fleas will not jump out.

    • 2

      Wash your cat with a flea-killing shampoo. Pour a thick coating of flea shampoo all over the cat's head and neck. Do not get the cat's head wet with water prior to applying the shampoo. This will only stimulate the fleas and cause them to try to jump off the cat.

    • 3

      Cup your hand and run it under the tap. Scoop a small amount of water from the tap onto the cat's head and neck. Rub in the shampoo while you are pouring the water onto the cat.

    • 4

      Work your way down the rest of the cat's body in the same manner as Step 3. Scrub the flea shampoo into the cat's fur so that a lather forms.

    • 5

      Allow the shampoo to sit on the cat's fur for about 15 minutes, or the time recommended by the shampoo manufacturer. Rinse off the cat with plain water. Dry your cat with a clean towel.

    • 6

      Fill a large bowl with equal parts distilled white vinegar and warm water. Dip a pet grooming brush into the water. Gently brush down your cat with the vinegar and water mixture. This will deter any fleas that may still be lingering around the house from infesting your cat.

    Cleaning Fleas from Carpets

    • 7

      Remove all fleas from your cat before treating your carpet. There is no point in trying to clean fleas from the carpet if your cat is still infested.

    • 8

      Vacuum the carpet thoroughly. Use an attachment hose to vacuum along walls and carpet tack strips. Move the furniture around so that you do not miss any area of the carpet with the vacuum cleaner.

    • 9

      Combine 1 1/2 lbs. borax powder, 1 cup salt and 1 1/2 lbs. diatomaceous earth in a large bucket. You can purchase diatomaceous earth and borax at most garden centers or home improvement stores. Stir the mixture well with a large, long-stemmed spoon.

    • 10

      Sprinkle the mixture throughout the carpeted area. Allow it to sit on the carpet for two days.

    • 11

      Vacuum the powder from the carpet. Empty the vacuum cleaner bag into a garbage bag and secure it tightly. Dispose of the bag in your outdoor trash.

    • 12

      Repeat this process as needed. It may take several applications to get rid of all the fleas in the carpet. This solution kills adult fleas and not their eggs, so any eggs that were not sucked up by the vacuum cleaner will hatch.