id soak all the pieces in warm water then use a pipecleaner to scrub out the tubes. use a sponge for the rest. make sure if you use soap to remove all of the residue before drying and rehousing crickets.
I have a 10 gallon tank, and when I get a new shipment of crix, I line it with paper towels with masking tape to keep it in place. Every other day, I gather all of the waste, dead crix, and shells and scoop it out. I also throw out any old food, and throw out the water crystals, dry or not. I replace the food (I use beardie pellets and greens) and water crystals.
When I have a lot of crix, sometimes I do this every day. It's imperative to remove dead ones, as the dead ones will kill your lives ones.
I also use the egg crates that come with my orders. I usually order phoenix worms, too; they send them in a separate box and use egg crates to secure my packages, so I always have spares. If I need extra 'furniture' or hide spots, I use toilet paper and paper towel tubes. Just throw them out when they are too soiled. Usually every order of 500 crix is about time for them to go.
i use one of those critter cages (the little plastic ones) because i only use crickets occasionally. but i dont know how to get to the bottom and get the stuff out wiothout killing the live ones or having to take them out.
They should just move out of your way!
I would probably just tip it to the side and shake it gently. This should knock any loose debris to one side so you can remove it. I would just take a wet rag and wipe around the cage. They should move.
i sterilize the enclosures once about every 3 months
but once a week i scrape the bottom of the cage with a card to get all the waste and stuff to one spot and then i vacuum it up
for me? i just use crickets as an 'emergency food supply' for when im low and need something to push me through till i order more worms! i go to the pet store buy 50 or so and ya.....