What is the Safest and Best Way to Sterilize Play Sand?

climber008 · 01-08-2016, 05:02 PM

Hi guys!

A while back, I posted a thread about what the best type of sand for sand baths was; and I have decided to try to use play sand for my next hammie's sand bath.

So, what is/are the safest way/ways to sterilize the play sand so that it is suitable for my hammy?

climber008 · 01-08-2016, 06:44 PM

I noticed that this brand Quikrete Children Play Sand is available where I live! It seems like a really good sand, but I wasn't sure! Should this be okay for a hammy sand bath?

velma · 01-09-2016, 01:05 AM

I think the best way is to bake it in the oven. And them obviously to let it completely cool before use

But I'm not sure how long & at what temp.
Can't help you with brands though - I'm the wrong side of the pond

Bertiebobbins · 01-09-2016, 04:38 AM

I bake the play sand at 375f for half an hour and then turn the oven off and leave it it cool in there.

RubyDG · 01-09-2016, 05:49 AM

I do 30 minutes in the oven as well, I generally like to give the sand a good stir halfway through too.

Jenibelle · 01-09-2016, 07:28 AM

I stayed away from that brand because it has a warning on it that says it has been found to cause cancer in the state of California. California has stricter testing/labeling laws than the rest of the country, which is why it says "in the state of California"... But if it's known to cause cancer in California, I don't think I'm immune to the effects just because I live in CT, you know what I mean?

climber008 · 01-09-2016, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenibelle

I stayed away from that brand because it has a warning on it that says it has been found to cause cancer in the state of California. California has stricter testing/labeling laws than the rest of the country, which is why it says "in the state of California"... But if it's known to cause cancer in California, I don't think I'm immune to the effects just because I live in CT, you know what I mean?

Ooh! That doesn't sound that good! What brand of sand do you use? I don't know if there are many other options for me, but I do NOT want to risk any cancerous effects!

Jenibelle · 01-09-2016, 07:44 AM

I bought my sand from a company in Canada. I took it all out though because my second shipment seemed to be causing problems for my hamster (but he was perfectly okay with the smaller, testing shipment). To be fair though, I did not see the cleaning instructions from the company nor did I know about having to sterilize, so I just poured the sand in straight from the bag.

It was Sandtastik play sand and I think I'll try again with a smaller area of his cage after cleaning and baking the sand properly.

climber008 · 01-09-2016, 01:05 PM

Hmm. I don't know if I can get that where I live. Do you or anyone else have any other brands of safe sand that you could recommend?