Cleaing Routine, and the chemical cleaners...

[Charles8088]

As I start to standardize my cleaning routine, I was doing a little research on the different cleaners out there.

I already purchased the F10SC and F10SCXD. Have not used them yet, but will start to do so on the next cleaning.

Up until now, what I would do is drop the soiled stuff or anything that needs to be cleaned into a bucket with a water/antibacterial dishwasher soap mix. Keep it in there for about 15 minutes. Then take out, clean/scrub as necessary, then drop it into a bucket of bleach/water mix to disinfect. Keep it in there for about 20 minutes, then take out, rinse well, and done.

I bought it anyways, so I'm going to try it as well... but, opinions on using the F10SCXD followed by the F10SC in the same method as above, vs the dishwasher soap and bleach?

That's the first question.

Second... for disinfectants... I was trying to find this, but no luck in an actual comparison... Any comparisons or write-ups on what F10SCXD kills vs. bleach vs. chlorhexidine? Or maybe even other disinfectants? I'm sure in some cases one is better than the other, but more concerned in just general disinfectant done monthly. Which kills the most, or which kills the bacteria we should be most concerned about with snakes.

[KevinK]

I guess my thinking on the matter is much more simplistic in nature and honestly I haven't given a lot of thought to the subject....however, I lean on the side of the dishsoap/water and water/bleach sanitation methods.....for this reason.

If you went out to eat in any fashion whatsoever recently, every utensil, every pan, every point of contact that touched your food was sterilized with the standard solution of 1 part bleach to 32 parts H20. That's good enough for me, and I feel it should be good enough for your reptiles. Keep in mind that reptiles do not live/thrive in sterile conditions in the wild to begin with. Reticulated pythons/blood pythons spend a LOT of time in stagnant water filled with unbelievable amounts of bacteria. Ball pythons spend their time in termite mounds....and they all eat rodents as a primary food source.

I have no doubts there are much more educated opinions concerning the subject, but I see VERY large breeders using the same without any adverse effects on their animals whatsoever. I'm sure the company you bought the F10SC/F10SCXD from can provide the charts you're looking for, but always consider there's a selling point.

My $0.02 anyways.

[Momokahn]

Soap, water, and bleach. Simple and inexpensive. One word about bleach. Once mixed with water (10% solution) use it and discard the unused portion. Bleach once mixed with water becomes unstable and will not be nearly as effective a week later.

[Charles8088]

Soap, water, and bleach. Simple and inexpensive. One word about bleach. Once mixed with water (10% solution) use it and discard the unused portion. Bleach once mixed with water becomes unstable and will not be nearly as effective a week later.

Yep, that's one reason I like bleach. Mix only what I need when I need it, then discard it. However, gotta make sure its completely rinsed.