[Schaumburger]

Sometime after Memorial Day when I return home to Chicago after my rental in TV next month I think I will be ready to consider adopting another cat as my home is feeling empty now that Magic is waiting for me at the Rainbow Bridge. As Magic was my first fur kid, I have a few questions for experienced cat owners to make my home ready for another fur kid.

The litter box has been scrubbed with bleach and also cleaned with Nature's Miracle. I will scrub with bleach (or should I be using vinegar instead of bleach?) and clean with Nature's Miracle a few more times before I adopt another cat. Should I plan on getting a new litter box for my next cat, or can I use Magic's litter box?

Cat carrier (hard plastic): Magic only used the cat carrier to go to the vet, so in the past year the cat carrier was only used twice. How should I clean the cat carrier in preparation for adopting another cat, or should I purchase a new cat carrier?

It has been almost one year since I have had the carpet cleaned. Magic was always a champ about using the litter box, and he never had an accident on the carpet or anywhere else in the house. But of course he often lounged on the carpet. My thinking is if I have the carpet cleaned before I adopt a new cat, there will be fewer traces of Magic's scent in the house, which may make it easier for a new cat to adapt.

Any suggestions or ideas on how to make my home welcome for my next cat are appreciated.