what do you use?

[ilovemysnake]

i was just wondering what you guys use to clean your enclosures with? i've done the bleach/water combo, though i dont feel 100% safe about it.

[Mikoh4792]

Every time my snakes go to the bathroom, I throw out all newspaper, spray the dirty areas with "healthy habitat"(some kind of natural enzyme cleaner) and wipe after a few minutes.

That seems to keep the enclosures clean but every few months I'll use a stronger disinfectant or a water/bleach solution just to sterilize.

I found using paper substrate is a lot easier when it comes to keeping everything clean. Because you throw everything out without leaving anything behind.

[ilovemysnake]

Every time my snakes go to the bathroom, I throw out all newspaper, spray the dirty areas with "healthy habitat"(some kind of natural enzyme cleaner) and wipe after a few minutes.

That seems to keep the enclosures clean but every few months I'll use a stronger disinfectant or a water/bleach solution just to sterilize.

I found using paper substrate is a lot easier when it comes to keeping everything clean. Because you throw everything out without leaving anything behind.

alright, sounds good!

[exwizard]

I also replace all the newspaper but before I lay the fresh newspaper out, or in the big snakes' case, puppy pads, I spray and wipe their enclosures with F10-SC The stuff works great and there's no smell.

[formica]

you can use pretty much anything you like, as long as all the residue is gone when its done, if the residue is gone, there is nothing to harm the snake, However, this is the problem with using cleaners other than bleach, bleach evaporates without a trace in a very short amount of time, ie once the enclosure is dry, the bleach is gone

the same cannot be said for many other detergents and cleaning agents, which will leave a film/residue sometimes for weeks after cleaning


bleach + hot water, left to dry properly, is by far the safest way to sterilize imo

[kelzerman]

I use the bleach/water solution. I do about a half cap (NOT CUP) full in about 2 gallons of water. I wash really good then let dry. I then rinse the enclosure well and then dry. I have never had any problem.

[exwizard]

I can't use bleach at all since I have eczema and I am sensitive to the irritating effects of bleach. I used to use rubbing alcohol but I like the F10 much better. It does not leave a residue at all.

[continuum13]

I use a 90/10 mix of water and Chlorhexidine.

[LiL Zap]

I have a 40 gallon tank. I just take it outside, have a small bucket of dish soap diluted with clean water and wash it good. Of course I rinse it off and dry it completely. Works for me.

[Lankyrob]

I use a good spot clean routine. I remove the poo/urates plus a good amount of substrate around the "mess" and then throw in some replacement substrate to fill the "hole".

[SSSSnakes]

Every time my snakes go to the bathroom, I throw out all newspaper
I found using paper substrate is a lot easier when it comes to keeping everything clean. Because you throw everything out without leaving anything behind.

I agree and do the same thing.

I spray and wipe their enclosures with F10-SC The stuff works great and there's no smell.

I use F10-SC also but I use alcohol for cleaning the glass, it dry without leaving any residue.

[vjdragonfly]

Actually, I had the same concern with using the bleach and wanted a safer alternative, so now I use my hand held steam cleaner. You can use it in plastic setups as long as you don't leave it in one spot too long.

[shaunyboy]

i use newspaper as substrate,so i replace it and spot clean when required.....

once a year i clean the whole inside of the enclosure...

i use the kitchen anti bacterial spray we use on our kitchen surfaces (it does NOT have bleach in it)

cheers shaun

[Sublimeballs]

I've used a bleach/water/dawn mix for years. Ive also used chlorahexadine. But I've recently started using the f10 compounds for sale from reptile basics(f10scxd & f10sc). I like the f10 stuff so far; leaves a slight, pleasant smell. And the f10sc can be used in humidifiers to treat RIs(that's the claim atleast, haven't needed to test it). I clean the cages with this about once a month, a spot clean inbetween.

[Cruddown]

People (including me) use bleach in reef aquariums to clean tanks when setting it up for different animals or set up. Usually, for regular cleaning, vinegar works best since it doesn't leave toxic residue, and dissolves mineral deposits. Bleach is really good for when you want to disinfect a tank or changing set ups if you are moving animals, since it can kill a host of diseases. It just needs to be cleaned up and rinsed well. Using any types of detergents in saltwater tanks can leave a residue which can poison marine animals.

So, for routine cleanup, vinegar is probably best, but if you want to do a serious cleaning (moving animals, cleaning up after sick animal) bleach is probably a better choice. I have no experience with the F10 compounds.

[Kid Boa]

27231


https://www.facebook.com/F10disinfectant

[StudentoReptile]

Same thing we use for cleaning kid stuff.....vinegar/water solution. No more bleach in this house.

[mclund]

I make my own cleaner. A friend turned me on to this several years ago. 1/3 Equate brand mouth wash and 2/3 91% alcohol. Do not use mint flavor, it will leave a sticky residue behind. Listerine will work also, it just cost more. It evaporates fairly quickly and leaves a pleasant smell behind. I use it all over the snake room. Properly mixed it will drop a fly right out of the air.

I still use a 10% bleach water mix for water bowls. It just takes to long for bleach to dry in cages. Bleach also smells horrible.


Matt

[lady_bug87]

I use vinegar and water. If its really gross I pull out alcohol. I also have a steam cleaner I may start using

[Toggsy]

Thought I would refresh the thread as it's an interesting topic.
Steaming is the safest way to clean an enclosure uses no chemicals what so ever as just plain water is used, the high heat from the steam kills all the bacteria that maybe present.
I work in private nursing home looking after the elderly so we have to provide high standards of cleanliness and sanitisation so we use steam cleaners to sanitise and sterilise work surfaces,toilets,sinks as part of our infection control methods as residents may sometimes have for example M.R.S.A after hospital stay.

Using this knowledge from work whenever I deep clean my enclosures I always use a steam cleaner with addition of F10.
Although I don't need to use F10 I still use it just a watered down solution as an extra precaution.

[Toggsy]

I also forgot to mention in my last post and from my training in infection control methods always use disposable paper towels when wiping round the enclosure and for the drying of enclosures never use a fabric cloth such as sponge as this only harbours bacteria.
I know it sounds like teaching people to suck eggs but it's surprising how many people are not aware.
Also it's good practice to provide alcohol based hand sanitising gels next to your enclosures.

[Tsubaki]

I spot clean whenever necessary. And i clean out my enclosures with hot water whenever i change the substrate, put the fabric cloth in the washer immediately after. Once a year they get a big scrub with Dettol.

http://www.infinitum.nl/Dettol_5liter.jpg