I quite agree. We have two cats and no one would ever know if they didn't see them from time to time. Seriously.

Here is what we do -- YMMV -- but this is how we have done it for years and it works.

Fresh step *clay* litter with activated charcoal
Silica Crystals

Combine in box 1 part silica crystals to 2 parts Fresh step. Mix with your hand.

Get a scoop and scoop the litter every day (for one cat, that should be enough) and make sure you turn it over like you are tilling a garden so that the damp litter can air out.

Then when it is time to change the litter in the box, pour it all into the trash (outside is best, because it can be dusty) and then WASH THE BOX with soap/hot water/scrub brush. I actually spray the inside down with FANTASTIC and scrub a little more (to kill the germs that 'live' on the plastic). Rinse very well so that the chemicals don't bother their noses then fill with litter & crystals again.

We have two active cats & two cat boxes, one up stairs and one down. But using this method we can usually get 10-14 days out of each litterl box before they need to be totally rebuilt.

Also, place a bath towel on the floor to catch any litter so it doesn't roll across the floor so much ... stepping on little rocks in your bare feet can be uncomfortable :-)