What kind of disinfectant do you use?

[mommyoffive]

I'm just curious what kind do you guys use? I use something called D-128 which is a disinfectant used in the vet clinic I did my rotations at and it works wonderful! Its kinda strong so I remove all my guinea pigs and rats from the room when i'm cleaning their cages but once it dries its fine. And it gets off all the hard grime and everything.

I'm thinking about switching to Chlorhexidine instead because it works just as good and I can actually keep the kids in room while I clean! Has anyone every used Chlorhexidine before?

[CavySpirit]

Vinegar! 99% anti-bacterial. 1/2 water, 1/2 white vinegar. Very cheap. Very safe. Also, as an acid, it's great at cutting through the alkaline urine when necessary.

[mommyoffive]

Vinegar, hmmm...I'll try it! My special girls tend to go potty in one spot because its hard for them to move around because of their pre-exsisting head tilt conditions so the chloroplast in that section is pee stained no matter how hard I scrub it!

[willowfaery]

Originally Posted by mommyoffive

Vinegar, hmmm...I'll try it! My special girls tend to go potty in one spot because its hard for them to move around because of their pre-exsisting head tilt conditions so the chloroplast in that section is pee stained no matter how hard I scrub it!

Pre-existing head tilt conditions? Awww. Poor things. Are they ok besides that? What happened (if you don't mind my asking)?

[mommyoffive]

Originally Posted by willowfaery

Pre-existing head tilt conditions? Awww. Poor things. Are they ok besides that? What happened (if you don't mind my asking)?

The four of them had URI's as well, and a boy had snuck into the mix, so all four of them got pregnant, 3 had miscarriages and 1 had 2 babes. They were rescues from my Petsmart. My old manager wanted to put them down because she didnt want to pay the cost of the vet bills for them, so I said "I dont think so" and I nursed them back to health and they are all boucy "head bobbling" 1 year olds now!

[willowfaery]

Oh wow that's so awesome that they are doing well. I bet they are adorable.

[Cherish]

I'm going to agree with CavySpirit and say vinegar with water.

It's even safe to use it to clean out the food and water bottles, as long as you rinse them out thoroughly.

It does tend to make the house smell a little like a fish and ship shop for a short while after, though...

[Aertyn]

Vinegar and Water all the way, I have a 50/50 solution always mixed up in a spray bottle...we even use it to clean non-guinea pig related things now, it's better for the environment and my eyes don't sting and my hands don't go red from it.

[zoe-gee]

I am from England so the disinfectants may be different but I use something called 'Keep it clean' It comes in a few different smells like Lemon and coconut and lots more! I recommend it because it also can be used as a deodorant for animals too! From Zoe and the Piggys!xx

[Astrantia]

White vinegar! 1/2 vinegar 1/2 water kept in a spray bottle. Wonderful stuff! Disinfects, natural, very cheap and won't harm the pigs.

I also use this mixture to clean my shower door, tv screens and all sorts of household objects! And I use it to make Filipino chicken adobo

[newpiggiemommy]

I also use vinegar (50/50)! Sometimes I use straight vinegar on a paper towel for the really tough to clean areas. Then I rinse with straight water! I would not risk using any other cleaner (no matter how safe it is supposed to be).

[Liann]

I actually do use Chlorhexidine. It will kill just about any germ/bacteria and it is completely safe for use around animals. Plus no smell. I buy it in the gallon containers. You only need a small amount of the Chlorhexidine to dilute in water, so I just add a few cap fulls to a spray bottle filled with water. It lasts forever.

[willowfaery]

Originally Posted by Liann

I actually do use Chlorhexidine. It will kill just about any germ/bacteria and it is completely safe for use around animals. Plus no smell. I buy it in the gallon containers. You only need a small amount of the Chlorhexidine to dilute in water, so I just add a few cap fulls to a spray bottle filled with water. It lasts forever.

Where do you buy the Chlorhexidine? Can you spray it on the coroplast (diluted) and just wipe it out with a damp cloth? Or does it have to be rinsed out?

[Jenni_Feathers]

I use 1/2 white vinigar, 1/2 water. Works great! Its like magic.

[Liann]

Originally Posted by willowfaery

Where do you buy the Chlorhexidine? Can you spray it on the coroplast (diluted) and just wipe it out with a damp cloth? Or does it have to be rinsed out?

Yes, you just spray it on the coroplast and then wipe it off with either a paper towel or a cloth. I usually spray it down really good and let it sit for a few seconds and then wipe it down. I buy mine from "The Bean Farm". It's pricey at first ($30 for a gallon), but I've had my gallon jug for 2 years now and still have enough left for several more spray bottles worth. I have Leopard geckos and Beardies and take no chances with Salmonella.

Forgot to give you the link: Product Listing Health Care

[Wheek Weak]

I don't even consider anything but 50/50 white vinegar and water.

It disinfects, dissolves calcium spots, and I don't have to worry about any chemicals harming my babies in any way, whatsoever.