F10 Vs Bleach for heavy cleaning.

[Billy305]

Good morning everyone!

I wanted to ask your opinions about disinfecting cages/equipment with f10 and or bleach. I've used chlorahexidine in the past but never understood it to be a replacement for bleach to kill everything. Last week I bought some f10 and understand that it is supposed to be a full spectrum killer. Ive always used hot soapy water to remove excess dirt and waste before I use any of the above.

I bought 2 used vision cages from snakes of sunset a few days ago though had obviously not been cleaned before I got them. There was caked on urates and other dirt all over them. I scrubbed them with a brush and hot soapy water to remove what I could, then I used 10:1 Water/Bleach and let them soak and rinsed them. Finally I used f10 to spray the entire surface and let them dry.

My question is that could I have skipped the bleach as the f10 is supposed to kill everything and has a much less foul odor and harsh effect or is it safed to always use bleach? It would be a lot easier to spot clean and clean without the bleach, especially as you can let it dry and its not toxic to my animals.

[kitedemon]

Bleach (used correctly as you have) will kill most bacteria, viruses, fungi, and algae.

F10SC (if used correctly again as you have) will kill most bacteria, viruses, fungi, algae, and spores.

F10sc has a somewhat longer range of effective kill with a much lower hazard rating. Good stability and longevity. It so far seems to be a very useful general disinfectant. I suspect that regular soap/ detergent wash is the same as the cleaner the instructions say to use. (f10scxd/f919)

[3skulls]

Does bleach have a corrosive tendency when mixed 10:1 ?

We use a lot of bleach at work and over time, the spray bottles internal workings always seem to fail. The same bottle with a window cleaner or something other than bleach will last longer.

[Billy305]

I'm sure it's slightly corrosive that's why I wash it very well off of everything I spray it on to. The bottles I use sometimes fail but even with just water.

[3skulls]

I mixed up my first batch of F10 the other day. I feel over time it will be a better choice.
I'm a fan of Chlorhexidine as well. Just good to have around the house.
Here is a cool little link.

http://www.chlorhexidinefacts.com/me...of-action.html

At work we also use a product called 256 made by Top Performance.

Never used it around my snakes.

[kitedemon]

Nice link for the CHG ! Yes bleach is corrosive. 1:10 isn't as strong as is often used for disinfecting (1:4) but is already very strong given the reptilian response to it.

CHG/D (chlorhexidine glutamate and diacetate) are great general purpose disinfectants as well. The big downside is the stability. Mixed with tap water it is only stable for 7 days and mixed with distilled good for a month if kept in an air tight container. It is a pain to shift from a sealed bottle to a spray bottle and back and keep track of times. Bleach is also a short mixed life but most mix it up just before use. F10sc is good for 6 months one of the big selling points.

[kitedemon]

Nice link for the CHG ! Yes bleach is corrosive. 1:10 isn't as strong as is often used for disinfecting (1:4) but is already very strong given the reptilian response to it.

CHG/D (chlorhexidine glutamate and diacetate) are great general purpose disinfectants as well. The big downside is the stability. Mixed with tap water it is only stable for 7 days and mixed with distilled good for 2 months if kept in an air tight container. It is a pain to shift from a sealed bottle to a spray bottle and back and keep track of times. Bleach is also a short mixed life but most mix it up just before use. F10sc is good for 6 months one of the big selling points.

Sorry typo...

[kitedemon]

Sometimes there are some who feel this information is incorrect this is where it comes from.


Hosted on Fotki

Hosted on Fotki

[Billy305]

I would just like to get away from the bleach in general on my animals items. So you believe f10 could replace it and do as good of a job?

[3skulls]

Good info to know.