Old rocks and a new hamster

[cherub]

My first hamster passed away recently and I've been preparing her cage for a new friend. She died of old age so I'm not worried about infection as much as the smell since hamsters are very territorial. My old hamster liked to urinate on the two large rocks she had in her cage. I've sanitized them twice in hot water soaks and scrubbed them with dish soap but I think they still smell like urine. Is it okay to use them or should I just find new rocks? There's still quite a bit of snow on the ground where I live (it just snowed again today )so I probably will not be able to get new rocks for a few weeks. I'd like to keep them if possible but I don't want to distress a new hammy.
Thanks

[SKB_Hamsters]

I would try soaking the rocks bowl of cold water with some pet safe disinfectant or soap - and leave them in to soak for around 48 hours - then scrub them afterwards. This might help to remove any traces of pee. If the smell remains I would probably advise getting some new rocks but I would be careful of getting rocks from outside as they will need to be probably sanitised using the same method above (as you cant boil or bake rocks safely without a chance of them exploding).

[cypher]

Most rocks are actually quite porous so I doubt you will ever get them clean, it would be best to just bin them & use new ones when you get your new ham.
I agree about collecting rocks from outside, it's not easy to thoroughly sanitise them & you can never know for sure what might have been on them.
You should be able to buy some in the reptile section of a pet shop I think.