How to best clean a cage

[bsumpter]

Just a quick question: Is it better to use one of those cleaners like zoomed's wipe out or just a simple bleach/water solution? If it's the latter, how much bleach to how much water? Thanks in advance.

[starmom]

I use soap and water to clean and then I use either chlorhexidine or novalsan (depending on which I have) to disinfect.

[Argentra]

Chlorhexidine(sp?) is a great basic cleaner! I use it on enclosures and furniture alike. For a total disinfect, tho, I use a 1:10 bleach water mixture and soak for at least one hour, then rinse WELL and use the Chlor. to finish.

At least once a month or two, you should do a good thorough cleaning of the cage and all in it. Chlorhexidine can be gotten from many cleaning sources, but I got my bottle from ReptileBasics.com.

[fishmommy]

I use chlorhexadine and water

works great, doesn't stink or ruin my clothes, and the bottle of chlorhex lasts forever

[bsumpter]

Thanks all for your help.

[frankykeno]

I use bleach and water....1 part bleach to 10 parts water. Fill the tub with that solution, add in hides, water dish, etc. Let sit about 20 minutes or so. Rinse repeatedly with clear, running water until you cannot detect even a whiff of the bleach smell. Quick wipe out with a paper towel and there you.

I usually wash everything first in hot water and a bit of dish soap to make sure the nasties are all out and then use the bleach/water soak and rinse after that to make certain everything is as clean as I can realistically get it.

[Wh00h0069]

I use Quat Plus TB, and it works great. Hope this helps.

[Don]

Chlorhexidine and water solution. I've always been concerned that using a bleach mixture would be an irritant for the snakes. Their sense of smell is 100X better than mine and even a little bleach smell could be a major irritant for them. If you use bleach, rinse rinse rinse, then rinse again.

[icygirl]

Chlorhexidine(sp?) is a great basic cleaner! I use it on enclosures and furniture alike. For a total disinfect, tho, I use a 1:10 bleach water mixture and soak for at least one hour, then rinse WELL and use the Chlor. to finish.

At least once a month or two, you should do a good thorough cleaning of the cage and all in it. Chlorhexidine can be gotten from many cleaning sources, but I got my bottle from ReptileBasics.com.

Ditto, that is exactly what I do too, and it works great

Like someone said, if you use bleach rinse it very well. After I dump the bleach solution, I will soak the enclosure in water for another hour-ish to make sure all the bleach comes out, then just a good spray down. My snakes have not complained yet

[Nuzum1978]

I currently use the 1:10 bleach solution followed by frenzied rinsing, but am switching to chlorhexidine after Argentra pointed out reptilebasics.com.

Does anyone know if chlorhexidine "breaks down" or "ages" if I were to mix it and keep it in a spray bottle for spot cleaning BMs?