Virosan

I really don't know if I am putting this in the right forum, but here it goes. I know Virosan can be used to clean th enclosure suraces, plastic hides and, waterbowl and other non-porous material, but can it be used to clean sustrate, silk plants, and wooden branches. Also, how is it used and is it the same thing as baby bottle cleaner and where can it be bought?

It's just chlorhexadine and can be used to clean anything, even the animal. It's good for cleaning up wounds, abscessed teeth, etc. You can clean porous material, like wood and ceramic, just bake the wood afterwards so it dries and will kill anything left on it. You can buy virosan/chlorhexadine at medical supply stores, pro-exotics, just be sure to get the chlorhexadine solution, not the scrub. The scrub has soap in it and that wouldn't be good for just spraying and leaving on. We use it sometimes to scrub surgical sites on the animal before surgery.

It's good stuff, don't get me wrong, but I would rather do the whole bleach water thing and not have to pay an arm and a leg for a gallon jug of chlorhexadine. Any other questions, just ask :)

Yep, you can use it to clean everything. I love it and not having to worry about it being dried enough to be safe for my snake. I bought a gallon jug Aug 2003 and am still on the same jug. It lasts a long time since you dilute it with water. It goes a long way.

Ok, so you don't have to rinse it off? Is it as effective as bleach?

I keep a spray bottle of Virosan/water to spray and wipe water dishes and do daily spot disinfecting. Then for deeper disinfecitng I soak items in a Virosan/water solution for 15+ minutes (after cleaning with hot soapy water). Then rinse and dry. But what I mean is that with bleach you have to be certain it's all rinsed and dried as you don't want your snake coming in contact with bleach. With Virosan it's totally reptile safe so you don't have to be as concerned.

Vets and zoos use it so as far as I'm concerned it's as effective is not more so than bleach. I believe the cost breakdown of it makes it more cost effective than bleach - from what I've heard.

Nope, no rinsing. It is just as effective as bleach, and can be used for pretty much anything. Just don't spray it in the snake's eyes and you're good to go :)

hmm. very interesting. I will have to get some of that. It sounds very promising.

The forum Member Justcage, has some for sale.

They use virosan in hospitals as well.

Yeah, I saw Justcage's ad, I am pm ing him, but also looking for a local place to purchase it in smaller quantities. I have problems with paypal sometimes, no fault of his, I just had a couple of accounts and some things have messed up, so, yeah, if I can find it locally then it would be easier for me. I don't want to buy masses of the stuff though, and justcage has the perfect amount