ball python peed in water bowl! how do I properly clean it?!

[Claire&snek]

Hi everyone! I just randomly woke up at seven in the morning and then just out of habit, went to check on my snake (ball python).When I looked down and noticed she had peed all in her water bowl.

I need to be better about changing her water daily but usually since she normally always pees somewhere in the enclosure, I just wait and change her water when I change her paper-towels and make sure her water is always filled. I realize I need to be better about changing it daily and I will from now on.

Anyway, I was wondering the best safest way to clean my snake's water bowl after she peed in it.

However, after watching a ton of stuff about it and searching this place, I also realize I might not have some of the stuff needed to clean it depending on what you guys recommend.

I don't have:

- f10
- bleach

I have:

- dish soap
- water
- vinegar

let me know if there is a safe way to clean it/disinfect it using this stuff I already have. Thanks so much!

[Claire&snek]

I am using a spare bowl from in my cabinets while I wait.

[Hugsplox]

Hot water and some elbow grease is what cleans mine most of the time. I do use chlorhexidine on everything when I do my big enclosure cleans, but on the regular I just rotate two bowls in and out and the bowl not being used gets a good hot soak and a scrubbing with dish soap. Rinse it well, let it air dry, put it back in rotation.

[Claire&snek]

Ok, thanks so much! Is the dish soap harmful to the snake at all?

[Charles8088]

The dish soap is to the snakes like it is to us. As long as you rinse all the soap off, it's fine. I use dish soap to clean the water bowls as well. I actually use antibacterial dish soap when cleaning the snake stuff, but that's really not necessary. I just do because, heck, why not.

[Bogertophis]

If you have "hard water" where you are, you might also find white vinegar (full strength) to be useful for both removing minerals + mild disinfection of water bowls. I often use it for that.

As above, dish soap on a scrubber pad of some kind (then thoroughly rinsed out) is fine, as is chlorhexidine spray to disinfect. (Bleach is way over-kill for this. )

[Claire&snek]

Ok, thanks so much to all! Will do.

[Bogertophis]

Ok, thanks so much to all! Will do.

Just remember that when any pet pees or defecates, you need to physically remove the contamination first (soap & water is best), & only THEN use disinfectant if you're going to. Disinfectant won't work if it's just sprayed on the contamination- that's too much to ask.

[Claire&snek]

Yes, my mom taught me that a while ago. Thanks!