Tips for Cage Cleaning?

Louby · 05-06-2008, 02:37 PM

I have just cleaned out my 3, and realised that I take AGES!

Having 3 hams to clean out, is no problem...but with our current hamster collection rate, it won't be long before we have alot more too!

Does anyone have any tips on cage cleaning?

It has taken me 90 mins to clean 2 Gabbers and a Cambridge. I take out the hams...weigh and put in a ball...tip out all of the bedding etc...wash in antibacterial liquid...dry...spray with cage cleaner...dry...then pack full of all the usual goodies (new nesting material/food/toys etc) and then they go home.

What do you do?

Basia · 05-06-2008, 03:32 PM

I do pretty much the same as you - but I am much quicker at it.

I do my washing in the bath now, under the shower head. I find it quicker.

05-07-2008, 01:49 AM

I use the bath and shower head like Basia but it still takes me 45 mins per cage but I think that's because I faff around and play with the hams while I'm cage cleaning....they're my "little helpers" which means everything takes twice as long but we have a lot of fun!

Holly · 05-07-2008, 02:28 AM

I do simillar to you Louby - I don't always wash the cages as most of mine are potty trained and they don't always need it. Instead I sometimes use fragrance-free baby wipes.

If I'm fannying about it can take me all day to do them all but I can be a lot quicker if I need to!

Louby · 05-07-2008, 02:58 AM

I think fannying about covers what I do to be honest.

I had midsomer murders on in the background...so had a nice leisurely clean.

As for being potty trained...mine keep moving their potties about, and sleeping in them!

Cupcake keeps swapping over her wet corner as well, which is not making keeping her fresh any easier!

What potties do you use? We need to get a new one for the newbie anyway, and we might as well get the same as she is used to?

Yaffle · 05-07-2008, 05:40 AM

I find that the p@h cage cleaning wipes are good they have an antibacterial agent in them and leave everything smelling really clean, they can work out quite expensive though if you have a lot of cages.

souffle · 05-07-2008, 06:43 AM

I give the hamster to Pophammy and whip the whole cage in to the utility room, remove all contents, tip out the bedding but save a tiny comfort scented bit! Wash in pet safe disinfectant, dry and replace everything. I only do the toys, shelves etc every 3rd time or so though unless they need it and most of ours use the potties too which is good as the cage does not get too bad. I'm quite speedy too!

Jane · 05-07-2008, 06:47 AM

I only have two zoozone 2's to clean but I'll reply anyway.

It used to take me literally hours to do a cage, I have no idea how or why but it did

Now though, I do both zoozones (100cm x 50cm, so they're not small) in about 30 mins which I'm proud of

I take out hamster, take out toys, empty bedding, sometimes I will take it into the shower and wash it, sometimes I just spray it and wipe it down and sometimes just a quick wipe is all that's needed - it doesn't get dirty anyway If find!, fill with bedding, put toys back, put hamster back.

I don't clean the toys when I clean the cage which works for me. I usually clean them a few days after I've cleaned the cage.

sarahh · 05-07-2008, 06:57 AM

Hi we spread ours over days like we will do 2 cages a night plus the rabbits and guinea-pigs get done on a wednesday or thursday but these can be done during the day. Mum and I do them together clean the cage top with spray the antibacterial spray your get from the supermarket its as good as the animal one but cheaper, the bottom, toys and food dish get washed in the sink and the bottle with a bottle brush but no soapy liquid just hot water. The hamsters run round in balls while we are doing the cages and then cuddles afterwards. Takes about 10-15 mins a cage.

Sarah x

Mollz · 05-07-2008, 07:50 AM

Well I normally take 5 - 10 minutes per cage and the routine goes like this:
1. Give hamster to mum to play with
2. Take toys out
3. Give wheel/toys a wipe with a wetwipe if it needs it
4. Empty contents of cage into bin bag (keeping a bit of bedding to go back in)
5. Spray with pet safe disinfectant and wipe out with kitchen roll
6. Add substrate/bedding, toys and hamster (except the hammy normally stays out for a longer play as well as getting their normal evening one

)

I find mine don't really get dirty enough to need a scrub or go in the bath/shower, so I only do it if/when they need it!