Sanitizing/Curing Driftwood Furnishings?

[Sath09]

Hey guys, just a quick query. My mom's friend has given me a stack of driftwood that she's collected throughout the years from her river property. They're all nicely aged, but I was wondering what else I need to do to them to get them tank ready. I've researched it in the past, and if I remember right it's boiling (which I doubt I have any containers big enough to accomodate that method) and/or a bleach mixture. If anybody has experience, I'd be grateful for the particulars.

Thanks and Happy Herping!

[Andrew21]

Bake it in the oven. I sprayed some down with a bleach solution, then let it dry in the sun, then washed it down with normal water. But idk if that is really enough. I never ended up putting in with any animals.

[kitedemon]

Water wash with a stiff brush, let dry bake for 20 min or so and I soak it down with F10sc after it has cooled and allow that to dry and use. Sometimes you have to pull any loose bits off and smooth any sharp ends if there are any.

[Sath09]

Most of the pieces are too big to fit in any oven I have access to. No, I don't think I'd trust just spraying it down with a bleach solution, I believe you're suppose to soak it for a while.

[jbabybulldog]

I soaked some of my cactus wood in the bathtub w/ water and bleach mixture. then drained and soaked with just water several times until no bleach smell was present, the air dried. Used in both my bearded dragon cage and ball python cage so far it's been couple of months with success.

[Sath09]

Alright, so I've done a little research and this is what I've come to. Boiling wood is the best option, which I may be able to do with 1 or 2 of the smaller pieces, maybe even both ends of some of the medium ones. So I'll see where I get with that. Second option, baking at like 200 degrees for 30, 40 minutes, which sounds hazardous but the internet assures me is safe? (I think I would get it wet at least first before putting it in the oven?). There is one gorgeous big piece that I won't be able to do either with, which may need a hot bleach bath, and I read something about giving it a vinegar bath afterwords to eliminate the hazards of the bleach. I don't know if that's true, but I tend to believe it, because vinegar is amazing! I also read that maybe just pouring a few vats of boiling water over it might be enough. I don't know, that's just what the internet tells me.

So, that's what I've gathered, thought I'd share. If you have thoughts or concerns, please share with the class. I like to be aware of all my options before doing much of anything, but hopefully my snakes will have them to enjoy sooner rather than later.

Oh, oh! Also, I was thinking maybe I'd test a coat of tung oil on one, see how it looked. I was planning on getting a gallon from milk paint for a piece of furniture I am working on. Anyone see any reason why that would be a problem?