Fleece: Switched to anti-pill and not doing something right...

[MissFormosa]

I was using veterinary fleece (like VetBed brand) and it was working great as far as wicking the moisture away quickly, but it is expensive to buy and buying more would stretch the budget too much right now.

For the absorbency layer, I am using reclaimed hospital incontinence pads from the Opportunity Development Center. These work well but they have to be changed daily (which I don't mind too much). To clean my cage, I just sweep off the fleece, lift it up, take out the soiled pads and replace with a clean set (I do a good wiping down with vinegar water once a week).

So, since we are expanding, I had to find something more economical. I went to Joann's and bought some of the anti-pill fleece (like this) that I have seen recommended by other users here. We washed it three times on the warm cycle with regular detergent that does not contain fabric softener, and dried it completely between washings.

Last night we set up the cage with the new fleece. We laid down the two layers of pads then the fleece. We cut the fleece larger than the cage, pushed it down around the floor and up over the sides. Then we clipped the fabric that went over the sides with binder clips. I choose to do this because I have two burrowing piggles who like to occasionally step in as an extra absorbency layer.

A few hours later I checked and the fleece felt moist where ever they had peed. It was not a puddle, but it was definitely wet. I think I did something wrong. Do I need to add a layer of something between the fleece and the hospital pads? I thought maybe because I had secured the fleece on the sides of the coroplast that it wasn't touching the under pads well enough, but it is definitely touching them.

Any ideas of where I went wrong?

[Skeetersmom]

I add a couple layers of bath towels between the fleece and the mattress pads. Seems to work great and doesn't need to be changes every day.

[MissFormosa]

Do you fold the towels or lay them flat?

[Skeetersmom]

It depends on the towel. If they fit layed out, I lay them flat. Usually they end up folded over a little.

[fieryone]

I would also suggest using a layer or two of towels and/or mattress pads. I buy those things at the Goodwill since I can't see buying it new just to use as a piggy toilet. I put down a mattress pad then two flat towels along the whole bottom (which end up doubling up a bit in the middle of the cage) and then a towel folded in half on either end to cover the areas they pee in the most. Then another hand towel in the two areas they really pee in the most. It sounds to me like you just don't have an absorbant enough layer underneath to catch all of the pee.

[akstrohm]

Fleece also gets better at wicking as you use it and wash it more. Three washes is good enough to start using it, but it should improve over time.

[MissFormosa]

Speaking of mattress pads...how do you get the boar stink out?
We have been washing them in warm water, detergent, and a cup of vinegar, drying on med/low (or hang drying if not too humid) and they still stink.

[fieryone]

Originally Posted by MissFormosa

Speaking of mattress pads...how do you get the boar stink out?
We have been washing them in warm water, detergent, and a cup of vinegar, drying on med/low (or hang drying if not too humid) and they still stink.

You could also try some bleach and maybe hot water. I always wash my fleece, etc in hot water and haven't had any smelly issues. I also haven't run into my boy's smell staying in the pads and/or towels yet since he's still pretty new, but he sure does smell more than my girls! I only change out the fleece once a week in my three girls' cage, but have to do it twice a week in my one boy's quarantine cage. P.U.

[gooberific]

Do you let them dry out before you put them in the wash?

Sounds kind of gross when you think about it, but I found that mine stay mostly un-scented if I leave them out on the porch overnight first. I also may have become almost immune to boar scent...

[MissFormosa]

Originally Posted by gooberific

Do you let them dry out before you put them in the wash?

Sounds kind of gross when you think about it, but I found that mine stay mostly un-scented if I leave them out on the porch overnight first. I also may have become almost immune to boar scent...

No, when we change the pads, we put them in a laundry bin. But I have 3 males, all of whom mark like mad.

We weren't washing in hot because we were afraid it would set the stink, but I'm willing to give it a try for the sake of my sense of smell!

[Oliversnana]

I also have two boars and yes it tends to smell pretty strong. I have found that if it is at all possible let them air dry (at the least over night) but allowing the towels and fleece to air dry the longer the better will make the smell completely go away.
Fortunately I live in the country (2+ acres) so I am able to put the soiled bedding outside and far away from any chance of even getting the slightest whiff for a few days to completely air dry before washing with vinegar and Laundry soap