New member - and a question about secondhand cage cleaning

[WelshHammi]

Hello!

I am new to hamster central!! I have lots of questions as things have changed since I last had a syrian hamster 7 years ago!

I am about to embark on a new hamster
I have bought a savic heaven hamster cage it has been used before what would you reccomend to clean it? and make it ready for my arrival on 29th Oct!!

[pinkneon]

Hi, and welcome!
I'd wash it with some soap and water, then use some pet-safe disinfectant Also, leave to dry for a while before putting anything in

[chesca_27]

Hi! Welcome to the forum! I'd definitely use a good, strong small animal disinfectant for the first clean (pre hamster adoption) , then wash it out with vinegar and water or soap and water. You have certainly got a good cage, my best friend has it for her Syrian. She really loves the cage and the great space, not forgetting the levels.

What species are you planning on getting? The levels may need to be moved around if you are getting a Syrian as 11-12 inch wheels are the best for them. Most dwarves should be fine with an 8 inch wheel, few exceptions with giant or tiny hamsters.

Good luck with your new hamster !

[cypher]

If it needs a good scrub then you could just clean it down with washing up liquid to get any actual dirt off it then give it another wash, spray or wipe down with an unscented pet safe disinfectant, I use Safe4 for which is pet safe, no need to rinse & virtually no smell at all.
Don't forget to thoroughly clean the bars as well as the base, can be a bit messy so easiest to do in the bath or shower!

[WelshHammi]

Great thanks
Im going to give it a good clean with some soap and warm water. I have wilko hutch and cage cleaner would this be ok to use?
I have taken out one side level as I have a huge 12 inch wheel ready for lots of running!
I am getting a syrian for sure as that is what i had in the past!
I am very excited to get Mr Pickles!

[cypher]

I would think that cleaner would be safe to use, just make sure to give everything a good rinse after & some time to air out if it's a scented disinfectant or has any kind of smell.

[flowerfairy]

Good luck with cleaning the cage for Mr Pickles! Bet you are excited.

[Pebbles82]

That Wilko cleaner has reviews saying the smell is very strong. Smells can really affect hammies and take a very long time to wear off. These two are often used for hamster cages - our vet uses one of them but can't remember which. The Beaphar one says it doesn't need rinsing off but I would anyway to help reduce any smell and both will probably still need a bit of an airing to let the smell wear off.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beaphar-Dee...infectant&th=1

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Johnsons-Ve...infectant&th=1

Both kill everything nasty I wouldn't bother with vinegar if you're using petsafe disinfectant - anyway mixing these things can give off fumes. Vinegar kills some bugs but not all, so it can be a useful cleaner, but not a disinfectant. Best to wash with just soapy water (eg washing up liquid) and rinse, then pet disinfectant and rinse, then air.

[cypher]

I think most disinfectant cleaners have a fairly strong smell, to hams at least, I have used both of those a long time ago admittedly but as I remember they do smell a fair bit.
I really like the unscented Safe4 best, no need to rinse (though I often do!) & I use it for food & water bowls or bottles & the hams are really happy with it.
The only other one I use is F10.

[Thin Lizzy]

I use Johnson's Clean and Safe spray. I do use some water with mine.