Disinfecting and cleaning

[whispersinmyhead]

I use Simple green D Pro 3. Is has a mild detergent I. It and a very good disinfectant. I use 15 ml to a 32 oz spray bottle. You can use less for light cleaning but this stuff is cheap. Only downside is you have to mix a new bottle every week because it will lose effectiveness with time. I mix clean and light clean the rest of the week.

Contact time (10 minutes for disinfecting keeping the surface wet) I wash and scrub then mist every few minutes I spray the items to keep me wet. Bleach needs a 20 minute contact time.

Simple green doesn't require rinsing either but I like to always rinse the water bowls anyways. I also ri se the hides and tubs occasionally. I really prefer this over bleach personally. Kills more, less contact time, and safer. Slightly more expensive though. $15 for a jug but it lasts really long. I have been using it for over a year and I am not even half way.

I may try F10 (also a Quat based disinfectant) next but I never see it in stores.

This discussion is where I first learned about it http://www.beardeddragon.org/bjive/v....php?p=1195300 it is a good write up on the topic. Worth a quick read.

[kitedemon]

I love the f10 system. It is not likely to be on shelves however. It may end up in vet offices but in that case ordering it may be better anyway .

Although it is •highly• likely any soap or detergent will be fine as a pre cleaner f10 recommends the F10scXD be used. I love it a really effective detergent. It is at this point available from the uk. In my case the shipping is less anyway as is the purchase price so my suggestion for any whom want to try it order from the uk/American distributed. John berry in the uk. The biofilm cleaner is also very good!


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[tomluzer]

Chlorhexidine and washing soda works best for cleaning of water bowls, decor, etc.. There are many other alternatives, but it's the best disinfecting for cleaning.

[Royal Hijinx]

Ammonia Windex or soap and water for cleaning.

F10 for disinfecting.

[PitOnTheProwl]

Chlorhexidine, Green Soap, Vinegar, and F10 depending on spot or deep cleaning.

[WtGreg]

basic disinfecting: chlorhexidine

heavy clean: bleach done to only 10% diluted solution

I use unprinted newsprint, but used to use printed. If newsprint used and the cage is blackened with ink the other cleaners won't get, a quick squirt of rubbing alcohol and scrub well. Alcohol should not be used often at all and should not sit to soak, it will degrade plastics. After alcohol, always rinse really well, let sit for at least a day, and rub down once more with water. Only reason for such heavy action on alcohol is because what it can do to plastics, and supposedly a layer of bad plastic can be left behind with some plastics, which is why the last wipe down. Alcohol isn't common practice for me for these reason, I don't suggest it be common practice for you either, but thought I would reference it for the common problem of ink stains.

[Royal Hijinx]

Oh yeah, it is the VINEGAR Windex I use, not the Ammonia.

[kitedemon]

basic disinfecting: chlorhexidine

heavy clean: bleach done to only 10% diluted solution

I use unprinted newsprint, but used to use printed. If newsprint used and the cage is blackened with ink the other cleaners won't get, a quick squirt of rubbing alcohol and scrub well. Alcohol should not be used often at all and should not sit to soak, it will degrade plastics. After alcohol, always rinse really well, let sit for at least a day, and rub down once more with water. Only reason for such heavy action on alcohol is because what it can do to plastics, and supposedly a layer of bad plastic can be left behind with some plastics, which is why the last wipe down. Alcohol isn't common practice for me for these reason, I don't suggest it be common practice for you either, but thought I would reference it for the common problem of ink stains.

I did not know alcohol attacked plastics. Thanks for that. I have always used Methyl Hydrate on marker... eek. Do you know if some plastics are more susceptible than others?

[WtGreg]

I did not know alcohol attacked plastics. Thanks for that. I have always used Methyl Hydrate on marker... eek. Do you know if some plastics are more susceptible than others?

small marker spots probably are ok, am referring to spraying the whole cage due to ink sticking over time. I do know that some plastics are susceptible and others aren't (i.e. alcohol comes in plastic bottles at the pharmacy), but don't know which are more and which are less, to what degree they degrade, and so forth. Is safer to assuume it will be when you don't know.
I'll try to find the article I once read on this which had specific examples.

[MarkS]

I did not know alcohol attacked plastics. Thanks for that. I have always used Methyl Hydrate on marker... eek. Do you know if some plastics are more susceptible than others?

I don't think it does. I think you're thinking of ammonia which is hard on acrylic plastics because it can cause the material to shrink and crack. Alcohol is actually a recommended cleaner of polycarbonate plastics.

Personally for cleaning I use whatever dish washing soap is on sale. I also soak my water bowls and such in a bleach solution for disinfecting.