Is bleach a better cleaner then Chlorohexadine? If so, what ratio?

[rj1204]

I use Chlorohexadine to clean my tubs but have recently been thinking of switching to bleach. One of my girls has an RI and I want to make sure I am cleaning as good as I can. Is bleach better to use, at least for the next couple months to make sure I kill any surfaces that may have any RI bacteria on it?

If bleach is better, what ratio should I use? I have seen 5%, 10% and even 50% bleach to water ratios that people have used on this forum. Thanks for any advice.

[seeya205]

I personally would not use bleach on my snakes tubs. If you do, I would wash with soap and water right after and rinse well. I would use a 10% bleach to water ratio!

[bsash]

I use a half bleach half water mixture in a bucket and use a sponge to wipe out all of my enclosures and then rinse them out very well. I have never had a problem, but I have never used anything other than that so I couldn't tell you if one was better than the other, sorry.

[Darkice]

I use a half bleach half water mixture in a bucket and use a sponge to wipe out all of my enclosures and then rinse them out very well. I have never had a problem, but I have never used anything other than that so I couldn't tell you if one was better than the other, sorry.

Your wasting bleach. 50% just causes more fumes and cleans the same as 10%.

[ballpythonluvr]

I clean the snake's enclosure with bleach and water once a month and then the rest of the time I use chlorohexidine.

[Maverick67]

I use vinegar. It cleans just as well as bleach and it non toxic so a ton of rinsing after isn't necessary. It also keeps me from hauling a 40 gal tank in and out of the house.

[OhhWatALoser]

I use pure white vinegar, whip the tub down, wait a minute for the vinegar to evaporate, put everything back.

[jfreels]

vinegar, really? I might just have to do some research on this. I HATE moving the big tanks (I know, I should just switch to tubs). The two that are in the tubs are easy....go figure

[rj1204]

Vinegar really? Is it really as effective? I definetely will have to research this too. I would much rather use vinegar over bleach......probably just rotate using it and chlorohexadine.

[AaronP]

The whole point to using Chlorohexadine is that is very effective and is gentle on the animals you're cleaning for. I only use bleach when I thoroughly hand scrub my racks once a month. Bleach may be slightly more effective cleaning wise but is much harsher on you, and your animals.