F10 Vs Bleach for heavy cleaning.

Good morning everyone!

I wanted to ask your opinions about disinfecting cages/equipment with f10 and or bleach. I've used chlorahexidine in the past but never understood it to be a replacement for bleach to kill everything. Last week I bought some f10 and understand that it is supposed to be a full spectrum killer. Ive always used hot soapy water to remove excess dirt and waste before I use any of the above.

I bought 2 used vision cages from snakes of sunset a few days ago though had obviously not been cleaned before I got them. There was caked on urates and other dirt all over them. I scrubbed them with a brush and hot soapy water to remove what I could, then I used 10:1 Water/Bleach and let them soak and rinsed them. Finally I used f10 to spray the entire surface and let them dry.

My question is that could I have skipped the bleach as the f10 is supposed to kill everything and has a much less foul odor and harsh effect or is it safed to always use bleach? It would be a lot easier to spot clean and clean without the bleach, especially as you can let it dry and its not toxic to my animals.

Bleach (used correctly as you have) will kill most bacteria, viruses, fungi, and algae.

F10SC (if used correctly again as you have) will kill most bacteria, viruses, fungi, algae, and spores.

F10sc has a somewhat longer range of effective kill with a much lower hazard rating. Good stability and longevity. It so far seems to be a very useful general disinfectant. I suspect that regular soap/ detergent wash is the same as the cleaner the instructions say to use. (f10scxd/f919)

Does bleach have a corrosive tendency when mixed 10:1 ?

We use a lot of bleach at work and over time, the spray bottles internal workings always seem to fail. The same bottle with a window cleaner or something other than bleach will last longer.

I'm sure it's slightly corrosive that's why I wash it very well off of everything I spray it on to. The bottles I use sometimes fail but even with just water.

I mixed up my first batch of F10 the other day. I feel over time it will be a better choice.
I'm a fan of Chlorhexidine as well. Just good to have around the house.
Here is a cool little link.

http://www.chlorhexidinefacts.com/me...of-action.html

At work we also use a product called 256 made by Top Performance.

Never used it around my snakes.

Nice link for the CHG ! Yes bleach is corrosive. 1:10 isn't as strong as is often used for disinfecting (1:4) but is already very strong given the reptilian response to it.

CHG/D (chlorhexidine glutamate and diacetate) are great general purpose disinfectants as well. The big downside is the stability. Mixed with tap water it is only stable for 7 days and mixed with distilled good for a month if kept in an air tight container. It is a pain to shift from a sealed bottle to a spray bottle and back and keep track of times. Bleach is also a short mixed life but most mix it up just before use. F10sc is good for 6 months one of the big selling points.

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Originally Posted by kitedemon

Nice link for the CHG ! Yes bleach is corrosive. 1:10 isn't as strong as is often used for disinfecting (1:4) but is already very strong given the reptilian response to it.

CHG/D (chlorhexidine glutamate and diacetate) are great general purpose disinfectants as well. The big downside is the stability. Mixed with tap water it is only stable for 7 days and mixed with distilled good for 2 months if kept in an air tight container. It is a pain to shift from a sealed bottle to a spray bottle and back and keep track of times. Bleach is also a short mixed life but most mix it up just before use. F10sc is good for 6 months one of the big selling points.

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Sorry typo...

Sometimes there are some who feel this information is incorrect this is where it comes from.


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http://images49.fotki.com/v566/photo...37_39AM-vi.jpgHosted on Fotki

I would just like to get away from the bleach in general on my animals items. So you believe f10 could replace it and do as good of a job?

Good info to know.

It will do just as good if not better. Over time I think F10 would be the best choice.

I too think f10 is the best option all things weighted.

f10 is toxic to birds and there for I don't use it on reptiles.

You can look up the chemicals in it and then wikipedia them and see the toxicity.

Why not steam cleaning?

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Originally Posted by snakeg

f10 is toxic to birds and there for I don't use it on reptiles.

You can look up the chemicals in it and then wikipedia them and see the toxicity.

Why not steam cleaning?

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How is it toxic to birds? It is being sold by mysafebirdstore.com (and others) specifically for cleaning bird cages.

I bet I could find a couple dozen ingredients/chemicals in your refrigerator that are toxic to humans in large quantities.

Yes ive seen it marketed for birds and as non toxic to animals as well

Quote:

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Originally Posted by snakeg

f10 is toxic to birds and there for I don't use it on reptiles.

You can look up the chemicals in it and then wikipedia them and see the toxicity.

Why not steam cleaning?

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I would never use it ON a reptile. Are you thinking of Chlorhexidine?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by snakeg

f10 is toxic to birds and there for I don't use it on reptiles.

You can look up the chemicals in it and then wikipedia them and see the toxicity.

Why not steam cleaning?

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I believe you are mistaken. It is used to control Circovirus Infection in Birds as well as Avian nebulization.

"The use of F10 Disinfectant Aerosol when directed into the inlet of the Merlin Ventilator chamber-filling stroke for 20 X 2 sprays and circulated for 1 hour with the machine running totally eliminated all the inoculant E coli bacteria.

Keith Simpson, BVSc, MRCVS, AMIIE (Electronics), Managing Director

PinMoore Animal Veterinary Services Ltd 2006.


For further information on any of the products please visit the website of the product developers and manufacturers, Health and Hygiene

We believe F10SC to be by far the most effective, safest and economical disinfectant on the market. A total spectrum disinfectant, it is highly effective against avian diseases including Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease and Psittacosis, killing all types of bacteria, viruses, fungi and spores.

It is non-corrosive, non-toxic, non-irritating and aldehyde free so has no adverse effects on people, animals, equipment or surfaces.

F10SC Veterinary Disinfectant (dilution 1:250-500 i.e. 2-4ml in 1 litre) can be used for just about anything - disinfecting floors, cages, perches and toys, food preparation areas, inside incubators, washing eggs and decontaminating hands. F10SC can also be applied as a fog or fine spray to mist rooms to eradicate airborne microbes and to stop cross contamination."

http://www.f10biocare.co.uk/F10factsissue8.pdf
http://www.meadowsanimalhealthcare.c...actsissue2.pdf
http://www.f10biocare.co.uk/F10factsissue9.pdf

Clearly fogging and nasal washing would not be condoned if it were toxic.

Steam is a great method of cleaning but the time and heat needed to be effective against anything but the most simple
bacteria is out of reach of most home units and commercial tools are needed. (250ºF+ and 10-30 min of time)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by snakeg

f10 is toxic to birds and there for I don't use it on reptiles.

You can look up the chemicals in it and then wikipedia them and see the toxicity.

Why not steam cleaning?

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Since when, Thomas? Who gave you this erroneous information? Is this information you have firsthand, or something you're parroting from elsewhere? I used it for years with birds and reptiles, and know many others who use it as well. F10 was helping birds for YEARS overseas before it became available recently in the USA.

Perhaps the same vet gave you this info as tried to help you nail an innocent seller to the wall? Don't think we've forgotten ...
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...egenius-BEWARE

http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/foru...d.php?t=371684

Quote:

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Originally Posted by snakeg

f10 is toxic to birds and there for I don't use it on reptiles.

You can look up the chemicals in it and then wikipedia them and see the toxicity.

Why not steam cleaning?

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I would like to know where you gathered your information for this "story"?
I, as well as my REAL vet use f10 and yes they treat exotics and aviary.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by snakeg

f10 is toxic to birds and there for I don't use it on reptiles.

You can look up the chemicals in it and then wikipedia them and see the toxicity.

Why not steam cleaning?

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?? Please explain the toxicity problems with F10. I don't use it directly on reptiles either, but use it to clean tubs. How is that harmful, in your experience?

I forgot to mention that not only have I used it "on" my reptiles but also "IN" them with a fogger;)