What Do You Use To Clean Your Snake Cages?

[panthercz]

Why does it do more harm than good to sterilize?

I clean all of my occupied tubs in my racks with chlorhexidine once a week and every time they pee or poo. Water crocks go through the dishwasher once a week also.

Most bacteria are not harmful and are critical for proper functioning of immune systems and other bodily needs such as digestion. Also there are some bacteria that fight against bad bacteria. Wiping those out don't do you any good.
Also, constantly trying to sterilize and kill all the bacteria will create stronger and stronger bacteria that will become resistant to the chlorhexidine. It's the same principal of antibiotic resistant bacteria that have risen and become a real problem due to the unnecessary overuse of prescribed antibiotics.
Asthma has been linked to using antibiotics early in life because it wiped out necessary bacteria.
Meat processing plants have to switch every other day what they use to sterilize because of bacteria evolving and becoming resistant to cleaners and sterilizers.

It seems the big "IN" thing are all these cleaners from Lysol, Swiffer and other manufactures that kill 99.9% of germs. They are all wrong and you should not use those products around your house.
Now does this mean you shouldn't clean? No. But always trying to produce a sterile environment is not a good idea. Just clean with soap and water (not antibacterial soap) and call it good.

Like I said already though, do use chlorhexidine when dealing with a sick snake or for cleaning out quarantine tubs/tanks.