Keeping a clean, fresh-smelling litter box is always a challenge—throw in more than one cat, and, well, good luck. We just wrapped up a round with Fresh Step Extreme Clumping Litter with Febreze, Mountain Spring, and figured it was worth sharing how it went.
For odor control, it actually does a pretty solid job—better than a lot of others we’ve tried. The scent is there, but not in-your-face, which is a relief.
Clumps form fast and stay together, so scooping isn’t such a chore. We did notice some dust while pouring, and a bit of litter ended up outside the box; a mat is a must, honestly.
The price is definitely on the higher side. Still, the performance makes it feel like you’re getting your money’s worth.
Bottom Line
If you’re after a cat litter that actually fights odors and clumps well, Fresh Step Extreme is probably worth a shot. Check it out on Amazon if you’re curious.
At a Glance
Overview of Fresh Step Extreme Clumping Litter With Febreze Freshness
After running this litter through its paces, a few things stood out right away. The clumping action is pretty reliable, which makes scooping less of a hassle.
The Mountain Spring scent? Noticeable, but not overpowering. That’s a plus if you’re not a fan of fragrances taking over your home.
Odor control is one of its main strengths, especially with urine. Dust is lower than with some other brands, but if you pour too quickly, you’ll still see some clouds.
Tracking is about average—some litter always escapes on little paws. A mat outside the box does help.
Pros:
- Good at controlling odors
- Forms tight clumps
- Fresh scent
Cons:
- Some dust when pouring
- Litter can track outside the box
Odor Control Performance
Honestly, it did well against both urine and feces smells. The fresh scent is there but doesn’t smack you in the face, and it blocked out nasty odors for well over a week in our test run.
With daily scooping, the box stayed fresh—no strong ammonia hit like we’ve had with others. Right after pouring, the scent is more obvious, so if you’re really sensitive, you might want to go unscented.
As long as you keep up with scooping, the space stays clean-smelling. Works for both single and multi-cat homes, though, yeah, you’ll still get some litter tracked out.
Clump Formation and Scooping
Clumps form quickly and hold together, which makes cleaning the box a lot easier. Most of the time, you can scoop everything up in one go—less mess left behind.
We did see a little litter sticking to paws and making its way out, but it wasn’t a huge deal. There’s some dust while scooping, so pouring slowly is your friend.
All in all, the clumping is strong enough that the litter box stays fresher between cleanings.
Freshness and Scent Experience
The scent hits you right away after pouring. The Mountain Spring smell is light, so thankfully your house won’t reek of fake flowers or chemicals.
Most of us noticed the odor faded pretty quickly. Pet smells were covered up, even after a few days.
If your cat is super picky or hates scents, this might be a bit much. Otherwise, it’s not bad.
What we liked:
- The fresh smell made the room more pleasant.
- Box odors were kept in check.
What we didn’t like:
- The scent is noticeable and may not suit cats (or owners) who prefer unscented options.
Overall, the scent and freshness worked for us and kept things comfortable.
Low Dust and Cleanliness
One thing we noticed: this litter doesn’t kick up huge dust clouds when you pour it in. That’s a relief if you’re tired of cleaning up after the litter itself.
There’s still a bit of dust, especially after refilling, but not nearly as much as some others. Tracking is fairly low, though you’ll still see some bits near the box.
A litter mat helps a lot. Overall, cleanup is quick, and the area stays pretty clean with regular scooping.
User Convenience and Compatibility
Scooping is genuinely simple thanks to how well it clumps. The clumps come out in one piece, so cleaning is quick and tidy.
The box itself is light enough to pour without too much effort, though a little dust does rise up. It worked fine in both open and covered boxes, and our cats didn’t seem to mind the switch.
Some litter tracked outside, but a mat kept it mostly in check. We also tried it in an automatic litter box, and it didn’t jam things up, which is a nice bonus.
Longevity and Value
This litter holds up with daily use. Clumps stay firm, so you get more life out of each box.
Tracking and price are the main downsides. Here’s a quick summary:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Lasts longer with daily use | Higher price than basic options |
| Good clumping helps stretch use | Some tracking onto the floor |
So yeah, it costs more, but the longevity and odor control make it feel like a decent value.
Pros and Cons
We put this litter through its paces in our own cat boxes and here’s what stood out.
Pros
- Handles Smells Well: It keeps bad odors away, even in high-traffic areas of the house.
- Clumping Power: Tight clumps make cleaning fast. We didn’t have much trouble with clumps breaking apart.
- Nice Scent: The Mountain Spring scent isn’t overpowering, and our cats didn’t seem bothered.
- Easy to Scoop: Firm clumps save time and effort.
| Benefit | What We Noticed |
|---|---|
| Odor Control | Box stayed fresh longer |
| Clumping | Solid clumps, easy to clean |
| Scent | Pleasant, not too strong |
Cons
- Tracks Out of Box: Litter tracks outside the box, especially on paws. A mat helps, but doesn’t solve it completely.
- Can Get Pricey: It’s more expensive than some other brands, which adds up if you have a lot of cats.
- Some Dust Present: Not the dustiest, but you’ll still see a little when pouring or scooping, especially if you’re not careful.
| Drawback | What We Noticed |
|---|---|
| Tracking | Litter around box/floors |
| Price | More expensive than some |
| Dust | Noticeable when pouring |
Overall, there are more pros than cons, but it’s worth considering the trade-offs before buying.
Customer Reviews
User Impressions
Looking through recent feedback, a lot of users have stuck with Fresh Step for years. People seem to trust it for daily use, and the Mountain Spring scent is a big hit for handling tough odors.
We also noticed that most cats aren’t bothered by the fragrance, which is a relief if you’re worried about switching litters. On the downside, tracking comes up a lot—bits of litter can escape if you don’t use a mat.
Dust is usually low, but not zero, so allergy sufferers might want to take note. Price is another common complaint; it’s pricier than some alternatives.
Pros reported by users:
- Consistent odor control
- Pleasant scent
- Effective clumping
- Good for multiple cats
Cons noted:
- Some tracking outside the box
- Higher cost
- Not completely dust-free
Real-World Performance
In day-to-day use, the litter clumps tightly, so scooping is easy. The clumps don’t fall apart, which saves a lot of cleanup headaches.
Even with multiple cats, the odor control holds up and keeps the room fresher. Some users run it in automatic litter boxes and say it works just fine.
Tracking isn’t terrible, but you’ll still be vacuuming or sweeping up stray bits. All things considered, the balance of odor control and easy cleaning makes this a favorite for a lot of cat owners, even if it’s not the cheapest option out there.
Conclusion
After spending some time with this litter, I’ve gotta say, it handles odor control pretty well. Clumps are tight, which definitely makes cleanup less of a hassle.
The Mountain Spring scent? It’s nice, but honestly, not every cat (or person) will love it. We did notice a bit of dust, and there’s some tracking—so, yeah, a litter mat is a good idea here.
Price-wise, it’s a little up there compared to bargain picks. Still, it outperforms most of those cheaper options, at least in our experience.
All things considered, it’s a reliable pick if you really care about odor and easy scooping. Just depends on whether that’s worth the extra few bucks to you.
