Do I really have to...?

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Originally Posted by meowmeowkazoo

I would recommend using F10 if you're worried about endangering your snake. It's very gentle and won't harm the snake even if it's still a little damp when you're done disinfecting.

With that said, I keep my animal on paper. When they make a mess, I remove the paper and waste, wipe down the tub with a Clorox wipe, and put in new paper. It's worked for me for years, and it's fast and easy. I clean the water dishes with a sponge, dish soap, and hot water.

I have never had any animals become sick, but I once adopted a beardie that had coccidia. For that I cleaned and disinfected with an ammonia solution every day.

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^^^^THIS^^^^

That's exactly what I do. So long as they're being kept properly, I don't believe anyone needs to go to heroic efforts to "sterilize" their environment. Just keep it clean.

Everyone has their own risk tolerances, and their own understanding of how "germs" work in our world. A misunderstanding of how they work, coupled with a really low risk-tolerance, can lead to passionate arguments about why everyone should be following the same excessive practices that they follow.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by meowmeowkazoo

With that said, I keep my animals on paper. When they make a mess, I remove the paper and waste, wipe down the tub with a Clorox wipe, and put in new paper. It's worked for me for years, and it's fast and easy. I clean the water dishes with a sponge, dish soap, and hot water.

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Exactly!

This is great method. I do thing the same way, only using something other than clorox. It's fast, easy, and gets the job done. I second recommendation this method of attack!

As for f10 used with this, I don't use it only because I don't find it as easy, but it's good stuff and something to look into if you want a good cleaner.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by meowmeowkazoo

I would recommend using F10 if you're worried about endangering your snake. It's very gentle and won't harm the snake even if it's still a little damp when you're done disinfecting.

With that said, I keep my animals on paper. When they make a mess, I remove the paper and waste, wipe down the tub with a Clorox wipe, and put in new paper. It's worked for me for years, and it's fast and easy. I clean the water dishes with a sponge, dish soap, and hot water.

I have never had any animals become sick, but I once adopted a beardie that had coccidia. For that I cleaned and disinfected with an ammonia solution every day.

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Shouldn't you be rinsing the Clorox off?

I use simple green, with a good rinse.

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Originally Posted by Bobbafett

Shouldn't you be rinsing the Clorox off?

I use simple green, with a good rinse.

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It's just Clorox brand wipes, it's not actual Clorox bleach. They just have a general surface cleaner on them. And I don't rinse it off, never had any issues.

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Originally Posted by Bobbafett

Shouldn't you be rinsing the Clorox off?

I use simple green, with a good rinse.

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I never have. I just dry it off with a paper towel and put fresh paper into the tub. Using Clorox wipes is not like using some highly concentrated bleach. It's very mild and has never caused my snakes any issues at all.

I certainly wouldn't clean my snake cages and not rinse them out with anything I would not want to put in my body or wash the dishes with... I feel I have to wash my hands any time I touch those wipes, and i am the furthest thing from a germ-a-phobe.

Hot water and fresh newspaper whenever they dirty the cage. Sometimes just fresh newspaper if there is no mess and the cage is dry. Sponge and hot water when they really make a mess. I always keep their dishes clean with hot water and sponge pretty much every other day. A wise man once said, fresh water any time u open the cage.

Your doing fine! Best of luck with your new friend!!

There's certainly no harm in rinsing the cages out with water after cleaning them. It's not something I do, but it wouldn't hurt to do it.

My general cleaning is changing the paper and and giving the tubs a wipe down with baby wipes. I don't really have a schedule, just as they dirty their tubs. I actually am due a good cleaning though. I have chlorhexidine I ordered but haven't used it before. But I absolutely hate using diluted bleach because it makes me nervous that I won't get it all rinsed well. With chlorhexidine, my understanding is you just spray and wipe down?