Bought used enclosure- cleaning???

[DunesMom]

My son needed a larger enclosure for his 2 year old beardie. I found one on Craigslist for fair price but it's filthy? I knew I'd have to disinfect everything, but the state of this one is worrying me. Their beardie passed away last week (of old age they say) and it was NOT cleaned since. There is moldy food in dish and smelled so badly we kept windows down on way home. I'm not so worried about the glass enclosure... We use Decon 30 (active ingredient Thymol) and that will be fine. It came with some bowls, water bowls, driftwood, etc... Is there a way to effectively clean these? Boil the bowls? Deep clean in dishwasher? How about the wood? Is there a way to clean the wood pieces in the oven on super low? Also, we've used a green rep carpet till now but I'd like to install a tile bottom. Can I install slate tile? Thanks in advance!! Really was trying to find my 10 year old a good deal since he's paying for it, but yuk!!!

 

[Terry15]

Petco is running a sale, $ 1 per gallon. 40gallon = $40 dollars, or the new 75 gallon = $75. I looked at some on CL also to save a few bucks, but they were filthy. The sale runs through Oct 5th or so.

 

[Gormagon]

I use boiling water on wood pieces. I just use a ladle and pour it over it until I know I got every inch of it, then I bake it for 1 hour at 200°. This should kill any germs or other living things left attached to it.
As far as the enclosure goes, 1 part bleach to 9 parts water in a spray bottle will disinfect it nicely. Just let it air out for a few hours outside.

 

[Gail]

Toss the bowls in the dishwasher or soak them in a sink of bleach water. I like to use a scrub brush and hot water on wood to get any surface nasties off then bake at 200*

 

[DunesMom]

Petco is running a sale, $ 1 per gallon. 40gallon = $40 dollars, or the new 75 gallon = $75. I looked at some on CL also to save a few bucks, but they were filthy. The sale runs through Oct 5th or so.

. Thank you, yes I saw that sale. I probably should have done that. But it was $50, and had a stand, lights and "stuff". I made him clean it with me, so at least he learned value of a $, and sometimes it pays to just ante up Thanks again.

 

[DunesMom]

I use boiling water on wood pieces. I just use a ladle and pour it over it until I know I got every inch of it, then I bake it for 1 hour at 200°. This should kill any germs or other living things left attached to it.
As far as the enclosure goes, 1 part bleach to 9 parts water in a spray bottle will disinfect it nicely. Just let it air out for a few hours outside.

Thanks so much for the advice. I ended up throwing out the wood piece...it just was too sketchy. But! I'm assuming I can do your same treatment to driftwood? We live near a beach, and some great wood can be found from time to time. You think? thanks again.

 

[DunesMom]

Toss the bowls in the dishwasher or soak them in a sink of bleach water. I like to use a scrub brush and hot water on wood to get any surface nasties off then bake at 200*

Thanks Gail! I am soaking the dishes in bleach water now, but will toss them in dishwasher for a good sanitize cycle too. Thanks so much.

 

[Gormagon]

I use boiling water on wood pieces. I just use a ladle and pour it over it until I know I got every inch of it, then I bake it for 1 hour at 200°. This should kill any germs or other living things left attached to it.
As far as the enclosure goes, 1 part bleach to 9 parts water in a spray bottle will disinfect it nicely. Just let it air out for a few hours outside.

Thanks so much for the advice. I ended up throwing out the wood piece...it just was too sketchy. But! I'm assuming I can do your same treatment to driftwood? We live near a beach, and some great wood can be found from time to time. You think? thanks again.

I live near the Ohio river and I get driftwood all the time, this how I treat it before use in the enclosure.