Quick answer: A washable cardboard cave is a sturdy box shell with a removable fabric liner and slip cover made from remnants. Because the soft parts come off for laundering and the cardboard is cheap to replace, the bed stays clean without throwing the whole thing away. It takes about an hour with a craft knife, tape and basic sewing or safety pins.
Cardboard caves are popular for good reason: many cats love a small, enclosed box, and cardboard is free. The weakness is hygiene. Cardboard cannot be washed, so a cave that gets hair, shed claws or the odd accident usually ends up in the recycling.
The fix is to treat the box as a disposable shell and put everything the cat touches on removable fabric. This guide shows how to make that liner and cover from remnants such as old fleece, a worn duvet cover or offcuts from a craft shop. For more box-based beds, the cardboard projects hub has other shapes.
Why a Washable Cardboard Cave Makes Sense
International Cat Care recommends giving cats high places to sit and places to disappear from view. A cave is the simplest way to offer the second. It also lets a cat rest without being disturbed, which matters in busy homes. Our page on how many hours cats sleep explains why good rest spots are worth the effort.
Making the cave washable keeps the benefits while dealing with the drawback. Bedding that can go in the machine is easier to keep free of hair and dirt. Cats Protection notes that flea eggs can be in your home at any time, so regular washing of beds is a sensible routine in any home.
Materials and Remnants
| Part | What to use | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shell | Sturdy box, roughly 40 x 30 x 30 cm | Double-wall cardboard lasts longer |
| Liner | Fleece, cotton or old towel | Washable at warm temperature |
| Cushion | Folded towel or foam offcut in a pillowcase | Removable for washing |
| Cover | Cotton or canvas remnant | Slips over the outside |
| Fixings | Hook-and-loop strips or large safety pins on the outside | No glue on fabric |
Choose plain fabrics without sequins, beads or loose threads. Remove all tape, labels and staples from the box first; our cardboard safety guide on tape, ink and staples shows what to look for.
Step 1: Prepare the Box Shell
- Close and tape the box from the outside only, so no tape is inside where the cat lies.
- Mark an entrance on one short side, about 18 to 20 cm wide and high, starting 5 cm above the floor.
- Cut it out with a craft knife and fold the cut edges inward or cover them with cloth tape on the outside.
- Cut a small second opening on the opposite side if your cat likes an escape route.
- Check inside for loose flaps or sharp corners.
A raised lip at the entrance keeps the cushion in place and gives the cat a sense of enclosure.
Step 2: Make the Removable Liner
The liner is a simple fabric bag that lines the inside of the box. It should be loose enough to pull out in one go.
- Measure the inside floor and three walls.
- Cut a single piece of fleece to that shape, with 5 cm extra on each edge.
- Fold the extra over the top edge of the box and fix it on the outside with hook-and-loop or pins.
- For no-sew, use fleece, which does not fray when cut.
Add the cushion inside the liner. A folded towel inside an old pillowcase works well and is easy to wash.
Step 3: Add the Outer Cover
An outer cover hides the cardboard and protects it from scratches and spills. Wrap a rectangle of cotton or canvas around the box like a parcel, folding neatly at the corners, and fix it underneath with pins or hook-and-loop. Cut the entrance shape out of the cover and fold the edges inside.
A plain, neutral remnant keeps the cave looking tidy in a living room. Because it is removable, you can wash it, swap it or replace it to match the season.
Washing and Replacement Routine
| Part | How often | How |
|---|---|---|
| Liner and cushion cover | Weekly, or sooner if soiled | Machine wash, unscented detergent |
| Outer cover | Every few weeks | Machine wash |
| Cardboard shell | When dented, damp or smelly | Recycle and make a new one |
| Inside check | At each wash | Look for loose threads and damage |
Use unscented detergent and rinse well. Strong fragrances can put some cats off a bed they used to like. Keep a second liner so the cave is never empty on wash day.
Where to Put the Cave
Place the cave in a quiet spot that is still part of the household, such as beside a sofa or under a desk, not in a cold hallway. Avoid placing it directly on a cold floor; a mat or rug underneath helps. If your home has more than one cat, offer more than one resting spot so no cat has to share. For a cooler-season alternative, see our cooling cat bed guide.
International Cat Care also lists cardboard boxes and paper bags among easy ways to enrich a cat's environment, so a cave can double as a play spot. Drop a toy inside now and then to keep it interesting.
Adapting the Design
- Bigger cats: use a larger box and a wider entrance, about 22 cm.
- Kittens: a smaller box feels more secure; check fixings are out of reach.
- Seniors: lower the entrance lip so stepping in is easy.
- Warm-seekers: add a second fleece layer inside the liner.
- Two-room caves: tape two boxes together with a connecting hole.
For a larger multi-room build, our moving box cat castle uses the same safety rules. The cat beds and rest spots hub and our budget cat bed guide link more ideas for low-cost beds.
Troubleshooting a Cave the Cat Ignores
Not every cat walks straight into a new bed. If yours sniffs the cave and leaves, a few small changes usually help more than starting again.
| What you see | Possible reason | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Cat sniffs and leaves | New smell from fabric or detergent | Add a worn T-shirt or the cat's old blanket inside |
| Cat sits on top, not inside | Entrance feels too small or exposed | Widen the opening or turn it to face a wall |
| Cat uses it only at night | Spot is too busy in the day | Move it somewhere quieter |
| Cushion gets dragged out | Liner too loose | Fix the liner edge more firmly outside |
| Cave slides on the floor | Light shell on smooth boards | Put a rubber mat underneath |
Give the cave a week before judging it. Cats often inspect new furniture for a few days before they start using it, and the cave becomes more appealing once it carries their own scent.
Avoid putting the cat inside by hand. Instead, drop a treat or a favourite toy near the entrance and let the cat explore at its own pace. A cave that the cat chooses for itself is far more likely to become a regular sleeping place than one it was placed in.
If the cat still refuses after a couple of weeks, try a different box size. Some cats prefer a snug cave that touches their sides, while others want room to stretch out.
Washable Cardboard Cave FAQ
Can a cardboard cat bed be washable?
The cardboard itself cannot be washed, but you can make everything the cat touches removable. A fleece liner, cushion cover and outer fabric cover can all go in the washing machine, while the inexpensive box shell is simply recycled and replaced when it becomes dented, damp or smelly.
What fabric is best for a DIY cat cave liner?
Fleece is a good choice because it is soft, warm, washable and does not fray when cut, so no sewing is needed. Cotton and old towels also work. Avoid fabrics with sequins, beads, loose threads or strong scents, and wash new remnants before use.
How often should I wash a cat cave liner?
Weekly is a sensible routine for the liner and cushion cover, and sooner if they are soiled. The outer cover can be washed every few weeks. Use unscented detergent and keep a spare liner so the cave is never empty while the other set is drying.
How big should the entrance of a cardboard cave be?
For most adult cats, an entrance around 18 to 20 cm wide and high works, cut about 5 cm above the floor so the cushion stays in. Larger cats may need about 22 cm. Lower the lip for seniors and add a second opening if your cat likes an escape route.
