Enclosure Cleaning?

SWDK · 12-03-12, 11:00 AM

Wondering what everyone used to clean your enclosures after all the mess, substrate and accessories are out? I've been using a mixture of 50% water & 50% white distilled vinegar. I've thought about using a very diluted bleach/water mix, but I'm not sure that's ok. Please chime in on your methods.

Will0W783 · 12-03-12, 11:06 AM

I like 10% bleach solution (dilute Clorox), or DC-10 (a medical grade cleaner available on laboratory supply websites or Amazon). Just rinse the cage with plain water very thoroughly after applying cleaner.

Zoo Nanny · 12-03-12, 11:15 AM

I use both bleach solution and vinegar mix. I only use the bleach if I need to disinfect a tank or cage after an animal has used it and it's going to be reused by a different animal.
I did just purchase a steam cleaner which does a much better job on cages and I don't need to worry about harsh chemicals.

SpOoKy · 12-03-12, 01:32 PM

Just plain old eco safe white vinegar....actually I use vinegar for pretty much anything. I really like it to clean my floors, that way when one of the dogs is licking up something or sleeping on it I am not worried about any chemical residue.

nick654377 · 12-03-12, 02:51 PM

i tried wipeout and like it.

SWDK · 12-03-12, 02:59 PM

Thanks for the responses. I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one that uses vinegar. I'll stick with that and also use a bleach solution once a month for good measure.

KORBIN5895 · 12-03-12, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWDK

Thanks for the responses. I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one that uses vinegar. I'll stick with that and also use a bleach solution once a month for good measure.

Once a month? Hell I only clean mine every 6 months.....

SWDK · 12-03-12, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KORBIN5895

Once a month? Hell I only clean mine every 6 months.....

I'm a cage cleaning nut. I spot clean daily as needed. Every Monday I remove all the substrate, wash enclosure with vinegar mix and add new substrate. I figured once every month would be good to use the bleach mix in place of the vinegar mix. Plus, most of my enclosures are white melamine so the bleach might brighten them up a bit.

KORBIN5895 · 12-03-12, 04:25 PM

I honestly don't get how people spot clean everyday. You guys must have way more snakes than me.

SWDK · 12-03-12, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KORBIN5895

I honestly don't get how people spot clean everyday. You guys must have way more snakes than me.

I have 8 carpet pythons. I don't think it's too many compared to some people. It seems like I have to spot clean almost daily. It's hit or miss really. Even though I feed all the snakes every Monday they never relieve themselves together.

KORBIN5895 · 12-03-12, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWDK

I have 8 carpet pythons. I don't think it's too many compared to some people. It seems like I have to spot clean almost daily. It's hit or miss really. Even though I feed all the snakes every Monday they never relieve themselves together.

Lol. I have 8 boas and two corns. My corns are pitas but the boas are super easy.

Lankyrob · 12-03-12, 05:15 PM

Ispot clean when necessary, sometimes it may be a fortnight apor more before it needs doing, maybe this is because i feed big meals less often, i dont know. When i take out the poop or urates i clear a nice area of substrate as well and replace it with fresh so In terms of full cleaning, i never do.

If i remove substrate and find the viv is stained for any reason (with a good three to four imches of substrate nothing really ever reaches the floor of the viv) then i scrub that area with hot water and elbow grease.