Cage cleaning FAQ, please

[Bogertophis]

If the hard water deposits are extensive, it's easier to either soak with vinegar, or use a scrubber with vinegar.

Used aquariums are one place where I'd do multiple cleanings & disinfections with several products, including bleach. Inside & out, btw.

Disinfectants aren't effective when something is dirty (with biological debris), so first, clean with soap & water. (a bit of liquid dish soap works well)

Then use white vinegar to get rid of water spots so the glass is clear. (Vinegar is also a mild disinfectant, but no way is that enough for a used aquarium.)

Then use a diluted bleach solution to really disinfect it, & rinse well, until NO trace of bleach smell remains. (-it's very harmful to snakes.)

And it wouldn't hurt to then use diluted chlorhexidine or F10 to go over it once more (spray on, wait 20 minutes, wipe off).

Disinfectants all have their "strong suits"- as far as killing germs- that's why it's safer (when dealing with the unknown) to disinfect several times with different products.

When you see a used aquarium for sale, ask yourself "what creature might have passed away after living in that, & what did it die from?" Better safe than exposing your pets to something.