Sterilizing enclosure

[Skira]

Hi all ^.^

I am building a new enclosure and I would like to know what you use to sterilize your enclosures and tiles with? I want to make sure its all clean and safe for my beardie.

I am wondering if salt water would be okay or am I way off?

Thanks

 

[Beardednoob]

90% hot water and 10% bleach. Wash thoroughly and rinse until you can no longer smell bleach. :wink:

 

[Skira]

Thanks for the reply. I am just wondering, wouldn't any leftover bleach would be harmful to the dragon? I mean you'd try wash it till you no longer smell bleach, but what if you miss some? Sorry if thats weird... i tend to be overly cautious.

 

[Beardednoob]

Thanks for the reply. I am just wondering, wouldn't any leftover bleach would be harmful to the dragon? I mean you'd try wash it till you no longer smell bleach, but what if you miss some? Sorry if thats weird... i tend to be overly cautious.

If you are overly cautious then I think you won't miss any. The idea is you smell all over the washed item, checking. Bleach has a pretty potent smell, kind of hard to miss. You are right though it is dangerous if you miss some. Always second guess your second guess when you are unsure. :wink:

 

[Skira]

Forgive my ignorance but is it really necessary to clean with bleach? Are there any alternatives?
If not then I'll just have to deal with using bleach.

I've spent a lot of time trying to improve my knowledge on beardie's, however so much to learn still! Thanks for your help so far.

 

[Chair76]

i heard ammonia works well too. and also baking wood or yeah and tiles to. i just bake the wood in the oven and that kills everything with using any chemicals at all. :mrgreen:

 

[Jess]

I use anti-bacterial wipes in mine. The only time I use bleach is to sanatize the used cage decorations I buy. You can put tiles in the dishwasher if they aren't grouted in your cage.

 

[EmilyRussom]

I'm Jewish - so I'm used to boiling everything (i.e. going from milk dishes to meat dishes in the sink.)

Tiki lives on paper towels and snuggly washcloths. As for her food bowls and water Jacuzzi (she doesn't drink from it - but lays in it), I just put the kettle on and pour boiling water over them.

 

[Skira]

Thanks everyone !!

o.0 Boiling and baking ...donno why I didn't' think of that thanks for mentioning

I use anti-bacterial wipes in mine. The only time I use bleach is to sanatize the used cage decorations I buy. You can put tiles in the dishwasher if they aren't grouted in your cage.

Thanks this is perfect

 

[Sherri]

I finally decided to do it the easy way :mrgreen:
For me, I use a hand steamer. When my guy had; coccidia, pinworms and protazoa...all a +5 count They were gone after their meds were finished so I guess the viv was clean enough he did not get re-infested.

Lots of good ideas will come your way from here, so pick what feels good for you and you and your beardie will be fine
The fact that you are worried shows you care enough to be careful, whatever you use :mrgreen:

~Sherri

 

[pudden318]

i use natural habbitat you can get it at any petstore, its safe to use with the animal in the tank

 

[agilitygirl]

I was told to use Chlorhexidine Solution. I dont know if it works. Here is what the site said. Has any body ever used this before?

"This solution can be purchased from your vet or online. A gallon will last you a very long time. I mix about 3 capfuls of solution with water in a quart-sized spray bottle. You just want the color to be a little blue-colored when mixed. This solution cleans your enclosure the same way bleach water does, but without any danger to your dragon. Vets use this for dragons with skin problems and mouth trouble so even if your dragon licks it or drinks some, it will not harm your dragon. I use it all the time to spot clean and once a week, everything in the dragon’s house gets sprayed and wiped down with it."

 

[Claudiusx]

Im with Sherri.

By far the easiest way to clean is with a handheld steamer.

-Brandon

 

[Beardednoob]

I was told to use Chlorhexidine Solution. I dont know if it works. Here is what the site said. Has any body ever used this before?

"This solution can be purchased from your vet or online. A gallon will last you a very long time. I mix about 3 capfuls of solution with water in a quart-sized spray bottle. You just want the color to be a little blue-colored when mixed. This solution cleans your enclosure the same way bleach water does, but without any danger to your dragon. Vets use this for dragons with skin problems and mouth trouble so even if your dragon licks it or drinks some, it will not harm your dragon. I use it all the time to spot clean and once a week, everything in the dragon’s house gets sprayed and wiped down with it."

Huh? New to me

 

[Claudiusx]

Never heard of it either.

-Brandon