Chemical Mixing

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.

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.

especially where live animals are involved :eek:

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Originally Posted by 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.

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

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

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

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Originally Posted by kurgan

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

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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)

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.

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Originally Posted by lord jackel

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)

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