Carefresh replacement?

[SwaggySyrians]

I'm looking for a possible replacement to Carefresh. I'm paying for a 25l bag every three weeks alongside all the other things for the rest of the animals I have - I'm getting quite tight on money now and I'm just looking for something a little cheaper. Carefresh is usually great but has always been quite dusty. The dust wasn't much of an issue, but recently I've been finding very large pieces of fluff within the bedding and it's scaring me every time one of the hamsters digs up a bit and tries to make a nest out of it. I'm not sure how it's getting in there but it's such a safety hazard that I'd like to try a new bedding.

Since the Carefresh I buy expands to 60L, I'm ideally looking for something that can fit that mold...I have to fill two metre long cages three weekly. So far all the bedding I've looked at (including bedding like Aspen which is supposed to be cheap) is far too expensive and I would have to buy it in bulk. I've tried making my own bedding but it has no odour control and paper is expensive

If you buy/have bought the large bag of Carefresh natural you'll know what kind of size that is. I doubt there's anything better but if there is...some help would be appreciated!

[AmityvilleHams]

Oxbow Pure Comfort or Rabbit Hole Hay's paper substrate Both can be ordered from Chewy and are much better(and safer)than Carefresh!

Oxbow Pure Comfort and Rabbit Hole Hay's substrate are both paper,whereas Carefresh isn't pure paper and unfortunately includes hemlock fiber(very unsafe,something I didn't know until recently!),and both can be ordered from Chewy

https://www.chewy.com/oxbow-pure-com...imal/dp/123649
https://www.chewy.com/oxbow-pure-com...imal/dp/123656
https://www.chewy.com/oxbow-pure-com...imal/dp/123653
https://www.chewy.com/rabbit-hole-ha...g-20/dp/165618

I would definitely avoid wood substrates though,as they aren't usually the best for burrowing and can cause allergic reactions(including over time with exposure).I'd also avoid the artificially dyed substrates as well,and stick with the above substrates or something similar(virgin paper,not made in China,no artificial dyes etc).

[Coco61]

Have you looked at the Fitch website? It's Fitch Recycling. It is an excellent substrate and there are 10 and 20 kgs sizes. There is one for small animals. Multi packs are available too if you can store a big amount.
Oh help, I have just realised, are you in the SW of the USA? If so my post is useless!

[CMB]

Have you tried using a container as a place for your hamster to go potty/pee. If you can get your hamster to use a potty, you won’t need to clean the rest of the substrate as often.

Just remove poop and seed shells etc with a small spoon and empty and refill the potty every few days.

[cypher]

south west is a bit confusing lol! but if you are in the UK not the US then as Coco suggested fitch would be your best option, it's probably the best substrate there is & is very economical if you buy the big bags.
The site is here.

[souffle]

I ordered a bag of Fitch and it was delivered with a few days. Comes wrapped in plastic and that would last you ages - £20.99 for a bale.
https://www.fitchrecycling.co.uk/fit...l?options=cart

[SwaggySyrians]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone - I'll take a look at Fitch and the above suggestions

And my apologies for the South West thing - I am indeed in the UK, not the US! Perhaps I should change my location...