Cleaning question

I bought some F10 for disinfecting but I want something for every day cleaning without having to clean tubs thoroughly every time. Would clorhexidine be good for spot cleaning?

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Oh! x2 I've been wondering this as well! *sits and waits for people to answer* :D

It only takes 10min for the F10 to work though...?

I use my f10 to just wipe down the tubs and then put the new substrate in.


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10min not counting the time it takes to clean the cage fully before spraying the f10, means around 2 hours of cleaning time for only 11 snakes. I don't mind using the f10 as a disinfectant for a deep clean regularly, but I would not want to have to clean the entire tub, spray f10, wait 10 min...just for a post-cleaning day poop.

Hopefully Kitedemon chimes in. He seems to know quite a bit about disinfecting.

To my understanding, the disinfectant is neutralized by organic material (poop) and isn't effective until the surface is actually cleaned first.

The Chlorhex requires time to sit also. I'm not going to advocate incorrect use of any products, but I'd put my money on most people not waiting the advised amount of time for either product. They use this at my sister's vet practice to wipe down operating tables, etc. and I have never seen anyone wait more than 30 seconds to a minute with it. Your snake cage doesn't need to be operating room sterile, you just need to make sure that the filth in it doesn't allow micro-organisms to create established, growing colonies.


I personally have an extra tub so when I spot clean I pull the snake, put it in a fresh tub, and spray the old tub with Chlorhex and let it sit to air dry like that.

I wipe out the tub with a wet paper towel first and then spray it down with f10 and let it sit for 10-15min and then wipe it dry and then put in new newspaper.

The f10 disinfects it, why would you clean it first? Maybe im doing it wrong though...?

CHD and CHG (chlorhexidine diacetate and chlorhexidine gluconate) F10, Bleach and most others are not effective used on top of organic waste. Basically they are the same ten min contact time and everything must be washed before use. CHD/G both have a sort shelf life, the downside to them. The mixed solutions if diluted with tap water is only one week. With distilled is one month, F10 is 6 months.

There is no short cuts. I also would never suggest that misuse is a good idea. The last thing anyone needs is resistant bacteria or virus.

I am not sure that disinfecting with a spot cleaning is needed. Unless it is really messy but then perhaps a deep cleaning is needed and not a spot at all. I personally use baby wipes for little light things and deep clean at least once a month or so and more often if it 'feels' dirty. I use my nose if it smells like fresh clean substrate it likely is if it is at all nasty or musty old closed basement or pee poo it is due for a full clean.

Instructions...
http://datasheets.scbt.com/sc-359873_mfr.pdf
(fort dodge CHG)
http://www.f10biocare.co.uk/vetguidelines1.pdf
(f10 guidelines)
www.virox.com/download.aspx?ItemInfoID=342
(download link... contact times- inc bleach)
http://www.virox.com/download.aspx?ItemInfoID=90
(download link... bleach info sheet)