Got the adhesive tile - how stupid am I?

[Jamiedog]

I was looking for tile for Wave's new viv yesterday, and bought a couple of 18x18" blue, soft tiles - thought it was a great color, and large enough I only had to buy two squares. When I got home, I realized it was adhesive. I had always - stupidly - sort of assumed that the reason people didn't recommend adhesive liners was because it's harder to get them out to clean. So I put them in. Then read here today that it's because of the potential for fumes.

DUH. I am such an *****.

I did just check, though the lights have been off for a couple of hours - no smell, so hopefully Wave is okay after about 24 hours in there. She also spent about 3 hours in total out with me today.

I'm going to go buy some non-adhesive stuff tomorrow. But until then, questions:

1. Should I leave her lights off tomorrow until I can get the new liner? Is it best just not to risk it, and force her to go a little longer in the morning without it (I'll be going out to get the new stuff ASAP - I'd go tonight, but I took something to help me sleep, as I unfortunately have do most nights, so I'm not safe to drive until morning. My husband doesn't drive at all).

2. Is there anything in particular I should use to clean the cage, to make sure it's all gone? I normally clean with an ultra-diluted bleach solution followed by hot water to make sure all the bleach is gone - do I need anything stronger for this? I can buy it in the same Walmart run.

I'm going to go smack myself around a little bit now. *****.

 

[Jess]

It's OK, we all make mistakes. At least you caught it right away!

Vinegar and canola oil will clean any sticky residue off really easily. :wink:

I'm not sure about the lights though, can you just rip out the tiles tonight and put in some paper towels until you can get some new substrate?

 

[Jamiedog]

It's OK, we all make mistakes. At least you caught it right away!

Vinegar and canola oil will clean any sticky residue off really easily. :wink:

I'm not sure about the lights though, can you just rip out the tiles tonight and put in some paper towels until you can get some new substrate?

...And again, I have a stupid moment. Maybe I'm already going senile... Yes, I'll take it out now. Idiooooooooooooooooooot... I've still got the old slate tiles, I'll put those in with some paper towels. D'oh!

Thanks for the suggestion on the cleaning! I'll get it done.

 

[Jess]

LOL, maybe it's those sleeping pills?

You're welcome!

 

[Jamiedog]

Could well be! Maybe once I start classes again I won't feel too stressed out to sleep; I would prefer not to need chemicals to help there... :roll: Stupid insomnia.

But done - suggestion worked like a charm, all residue gone, scrubbed with some mild soap just to make sure, then a final scrub with hot water, dried it all out, and Wave is back in, and I feel much, much better about it. (And she hardly woke up. Sort of blinked at me when I went to put her in the bathtub - still in her blanket - and didn't stir at all on the way back.)

You're a lifesaver. Thanks!

 

[Jess]

You're welcome, I'm glad you got it all figured out now!

LOL, I love how they sleep like they're in comas or something. It's so funny.

 

[Jamiedog]

All fixed. :mrgreen: Wave immediately smeared watermelon all over the new liner. Yay? :lol: