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Old 07-07-2016, 12:18 PM   #1
climber008
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Smile Cleaning Toys

Hi guys!

I recently just got back from a vacation, and I made sure to pick up a few toys for Kornelia (just like I promised her I would.)

I got two items that will need to be cleaned:

~a piece of cork
and

~a wooden bridge type thing (not a bendy bridge)

I'm not sure what either is made of, so I'm not sure at all on how to go about cleaning them! Any questions?

And they're not varnished either!

Thanks a bunch!

~climber008
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Old 07-07-2016, 12:25 PM   #2
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Cleaning Toys

With the cork I'd put it in the freezer for a week in a plastic bag first - just to make sure there's no microscopic bugs living in it! It is a tree bark after all. When it's defrosted, give it a good wash in warm water to get rid of any dustiness or dirt - fairly gently or it can disintegrate. Then let it dry fully somewhere so it doesn't go mouldy when you put it in the cage. Sometimes they have bits of lichen and stuff on top. I think that's ok as long as it's been frozen first and your hammy doesn't try and chew it off. If they do try and chew it off you might want to pick those bits off. Our hammy didn't try and chew it.

The wood - it would help to know what kind of wood it is as some woods aren't safe to chew. If it's smooth wood though just wipe it with a damp cloth. I'm guessing it's some kind of driftwood? I did the same with that type of wood - stick it in the freezer for a week then give it a rinse and let it dry out fully.
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Old 07-07-2016, 01:09 PM   #3
climber008
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Default Re: Cleaning Toys

And how would you get the cork not to mold? I have had driftwood that has molded before and I don't know how to take care of that either (any suggestions?)

The wood for the bridge is China fir tree. It is smooth, but I want to be extra sure that it has no contaminants. If I freeze the bridge though, will it warp?

Here's a link to it:

Planet Petco Wood Ladder/Bridge
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Old 07-07-2016, 01:09 PM   #4
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Default Re: Cleaning Toys

If you aren't sure what wood the bridge is made of,it might be best to not use it at all actually as a lot of woods are toxic to hamsters.

Posted before refreshing so didn't see that,but China fir is safe!I actually have the Planet Petco bend-a-bridge(US only,but it's a great product for US owners)and that is China fir
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Old 07-07-2016, 01:13 PM   #5
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Default Re: Cleaning Toys

Things only go mouldy when they are damp and warm and in airless conditions. If you rinse the cork in warm water it won't get that wet as cork is quite waterproof, but it will be damp. If you put it somewhere to dry out thoroughly after washing then it won't go mouldy! (Unless your hamster pees in it possibly! So keep an eye on that). So maybe just leave it on a windowsill to get some sun so it dries out fully before use.

Wood won't shrink in the freezer - but looking at that toy it probably doesn't need to go in the freezer and I'm sure the wood is fine - it's sold by a pet shop and it's fir wood. Just give it a wipe with a damp cloth.
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Old 07-07-2016, 01:15 PM   #6
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Default Re: Cleaning Toys

Whatever you do don't leave it out in the air or you will have to freeze it!I made that mistake with the bendable bridge which I now have to freeze
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Old 07-07-2016, 05:34 PM   #7
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Default Re: Cleaning Toys

Quote:
Originally Posted by AmityvilleHams View Post
Whatever you do don't leave it out in the air or you will have to freeze it!I made that mistake with the bendable bridge which I now have to freeze
What do you mean don't leave it out in the air? Wouldn't it be exposed to air? Sorry but I'm a bit confused..

So what if it does get moldy like my sister's hermit crab wood? How would I go about getting rid of mold on it? I'm not sure it would be safe, but I wanted to double check and ask on opinions on how to get rid of the mold on my sister's crab wood.
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Old 07-07-2016, 05:40 PM   #8
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Basically it could be potentially exposed to mites and things if left in the open.It could just be me being extremely paranoid,but a sealed container would be nice until it is actually in the cage!
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Old 07-08-2016, 01:57 AM   #9
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Cleaning Toys

I'm afraid I have to disagree their Amity A sealed container is more likely to make something damp go mouldy. Don't worry about things going mouldy climber. The bridge just needs a wipe down with a damp cloth and would be dry in 15 minutes at normal room temperature.

The cork is fine on a window sill drying in the sun. The main thing is freeze the cork first then any microscopic things living in it will be dead. Then just rinse it to get any much and dust off and let it dry. I just meant don't put it in the cage wet or damp. You're more likely to get mould from a water bottle leaking onto the substrate. And in warm weather things dry out quickly anyway. It's humidity that causes things to go mouldy (ie warmth, lack of air, and damp).
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Old 07-08-2016, 03:58 AM   #10
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Default Re: Cleaning Toys

Quote:
Originally Posted by AmityvilleHams View Post
Basically it could be potentially exposed to mites and things if left in the open.It could just be me being extremely paranoid,but a sealed container would be nice until it is actually in the cage!
What's the difference between it being out in the air in the cage or out of the cage? It would be exposed to the same things on a windowsill as in the cage? No...?
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