Chemical Mixing

[lord jackel]

Hey gang...quick thought- I think we all agree that chlorhexidine is one of the best / safest options for cleaning cages...but since it doesn't kill everything (spores, gram - bugs, etc.) does it make sense (and more importantly can you)mix with something else that does?

Maybe Bleach?

Just thinking.

[JLC]

Personally, I wouldn't mix bleach with ANYTHING except water. If you don't know exactly what you're doing, the chances for a volitale, dangerous mixture are too high.

[recycling goddess]

especially where live animals are involved :eek:

[lord jackel]

Personally, I wouldn't mix bleach with ANYTHING except water. If you don't know exactly what you're doing, the chances for a volitale, dangerous mixture are too high.

Agree....that is why I am asking the question.

[kurgan]

I imagine bleach will just oxidise the chlorhexidine. Why not just water down the bleach?

[Shelby]

I use Virkon S.. the stuff rocks, and it smells good. Kills everything but is gentle with people and animals.

http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/...d/2470/cid/724

[lord jackel]

I imagine bleach will just oxidise the chlorhexidine. Why not just water down the bleach?

Because bleach is inactivated in the presence of organic material...so the cage must be "clean" before bleach is used to disinfect (otherwise bleach is useless)

[ErikH]

You could try a commercial cleaner/disinfectant that contains an ammonium chloride compound, if you are looking for one step cleaning. Any disinfectant though (bleach included) needs a ten minute wet dwell time to completely disinfect a surface. And when dealing with live animals, any product should be thoroughly rinsed, so it's really a two-step process anyway.

[kurgan]

Because bleach is inactivated in the presence of organic material...so the cage must be "clean" before bleach is used to disinfect (otherwise bleach is useless)

Clean the cage with a cloth first to get rid of anything major and then use the bleach.