my beardies tank is lined with non adhesive shelf liner which i really love, especially because clean up is so easy. i was cleaning up a poop today when i thought that i probably wasnt cleaning much. i had just used a damp paper towel to pick it up and wipe the liner down.
should i be using a disinfectant? i didnt want to use any household cleaners for obvious reasons. is just water okay, or is there other safe ways to clean it up?
I use a vinegar and water mixture to remove debris. You'll then need to sanitize the surfaces. I suggest using a veterinary disinfectant, or (what I use) a small steam cleaner to sanitize everything after it has been wiped down thoroughly. I have a 1000w steam cleaner that works very well for sanitizing the tank, substrate, and furniture.
My beardies tanks are lined with disposable paper towelling (Scot Towels) and I simply remove the soiled piece.
If they poo on their furniture I use scot towel to remove as much of the offending object as I can (my beardies kick up a fuss if these smelly items stay too long - "daddy it pongs in here - get me outa here' so I usually deal with any poos as soon as I seen them deposited or as soon as I see one is there).
I regularly strip down each lizards tank of furniture and take the furniture outside and give it good blast with the hose to remove stuff that's accumulated in little crevasses and cracks, and then use a vet strength disinfectant called F10-SC (diluted 1:115) in a spray bottle to kill off any bacteria, viruses and fungi that might be harboured by the furnature (every month or 6weeks or so).
Any accidents on the carpet are immediately dealt with using some damp scott towel and given a good spot spray with F10-SC (1:115 strength). Accidents on the lino or floor tiles are removed using dry scot towel only.
Must say that my beardies prefer to hang on until out of their tanks to go the toilet (they each have a fav place).
The BTs are more indiscriminate with their toilet behaviour, the water skink is very fastidious , she'll lift her bottom and wait for me to place some paper towel under her if out for cuddle time.