Stinky Carefresh???

Crystalroborovski · 10-30-2017, 01:45 PM

Hello HC friends! It's been quite awhile since I've posted. Just wanted to say hello to everyone (and the hams too!)

So anyways...

I'm cleaning Key Lime's cage right now. I opened a new bag of blue carefresh and started pouring it into his cage when I noticed it smells kind of nasty, almost like... stinky, sweaty feet (?)

I've never had a bag of carefresh that smells like this. It doesn't look strange or anything, it just smells weird. I'm not quite sure if I should use it or not. Has anyone else using carefresh experienced this? Should I go buy a new bag of bedding, or is the one I have safe to use?

Pebbles82 · 10-30-2017, 03:01 PM

I think if it smells bad I wouldn't use it. It sounds like it has maybe been stored bady or gone mouldy or something. Have you just bought it?

Crystalroborovski · 10-30-2017, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

I think if it smells bad I wouldn't use it. It sounds like it has maybe been stored bady or gone mouldy or something. Have you just bought it?

Yes Serendipity, I just bought it. It doesn't smell moldy or musty, just kind of strange. The bag hasn't gotten wet or anything like that. I have already put the bedding in (not a whole lot, I didn't replace the whole blue section). Starting to worry that the bedding could be harmful. Just curious: how would improper storage affect a bag of bedding?

velma · 10-31-2017, 02:01 AM

I've found you get the odd bag of carefresh that smells a bit funky. It seems to happen most with the naturals, I haven't really noticed it ss much with the others. I don't know why it happens - maybe the warehouse it was stored in was damp & some condensation for in the bag? If it's smelled a bit funny I tend to air it first before I decide as the smell seems to go once the air has circulated. I have binned a bag before now as the smell from that bag didn't go (and silly me, no receipt plus I'd bought in another town) but if you're concerned, I'd take it back and ask them to swap it.

Pebbles82 · 10-31-2017, 03:19 AM

Good advice from Velma there. Yes it does sound like it has been sweating/condensation in the bag - hence the smelly socks odour - which would be fungal rather than bacterial probably so it doesn't smell of mould.

Personally I wouldn't risk it. It's not cheap stuff so yes you should try and get a refund - if they argue the bag is open just stick it under their noses!

It could just have been in storage for a very long time or been stored somewhere very hot. Does it have a packing date or anything on the bag?