does anybody have any tips on preparing fleece to use as guinea pig bedding?

[Crystal Lee]

I decided a few days ago that I'd switch to using fleece as bedding for my two guineas. I can't afford to keep buying those bags of Carefresh. I've washed the fleece I bought a couple times already. And just to see if they were "wicking" or whatever it's called (absorbing the water) or at least starting to absorb the water I poured a little bit of water on it and watched it, it didn't absorb through. I'm not sure if after I wash it a few more times if it'll start to absorb the water, but if it doesn't I'm not sure what to do. I'm not using any detergent or softeners or anything like that, because I've read that will just cause it to gain a waterproof barrier or something like that, which is the exact opposit of what I want to do. I understand that when I actually use it in the cage, I'll need to put towels underneath to absorb the pee, and that'll help a little. I'm kinda thinking that if it's not wicking through now, then it's probably not gonna soak up their pee.
Does anybody have any suggestions as what I should do? or if I'm doing something wrong will you please tell me?

[claire]

It usually takes a few minutes for the liquid to be drawn into the fleece and then it should go straight through to whatever absorbant layer (towels etc) you have underneath. Don't despair, it just takes a while for the fleece to get 'worn in'. I've found the older my fleece gets the quicker it is at drawing the moisture from the surface.

Certain types of really fluffy fleece just don't work at all (I can't remember what you call the fluffy stuff off the top of my head), but if it's standard fleece you should be fine.

[pigsforlife]

I wash the fleece a couple of times with warm water and vinegar. I have used bleach before but stick to the vinegar now-a-days. Using warm water helped a lot in my case.

I don't know if it makes any difference but I use polar fleece. Once I have washed it a few times it wicks through straight away.

[Crystal Lee]

Thanks for the tips more tips would be appreciated if anyone else knows anymore good ones

[meghannmariexx]

I use polar fleece too, but I got some of my polar fleece from Dollarama.

[lissie]

I wash my fleece with hot water. When you prepare your fleece, you should do a wash-dry-wash-dry-wash-dry, and not wash-wash-wash-dry-dry-dry. I heard it makes a difference. Also use detergent while washing. Choose the unscented ones.
If you've tried eerything you can to prepare the fleece and it's still not wicking, you might have bought the wrong fleece. Good wicking ones are polar, anti-pill, microfleece. Non-wicking ones are plush, microplush. There are more types of fleece here: http://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/...s-debates.html

Also interesting info about baby cloth diapers. Diaper Fabric - Cloth Diaper Fabric

[Crystal Lee]

I've made sure to wash-dry-wash-dry-wash-dry-wash-dry. I haven't used detergent, but I'll try that next. I've just been using vinegar, because I've read that works well, but possibly that's just with cleaning the fleece and not with preparing it to wick water through. Thanks

[hilary]

When you tested the fleece for the water to wick away, did you have towels underneath? I never tested mine I just put it in the cage after I finished preparing it and found it was working great. I think if you didn't have an underlayer when you were testing it then there was nowhere for the liquid to go besides stay on the fleece.

[Crystal Lee]

I did have a thick towel underneath it. So I'm not sure what the problem is. I'm sure it's the right type of fleece to use.

[hilary]

I did have a thick towel underneath it. So I'm not sure what the problem is. I'm sure it's the right type of fleece to use.

Hmm, well since you said you washed without detergent, I'd consider washing/drying another 2 or 3 times with detergent. Get "free and clear" types that have no dyes or perfumes. Seventh Generation has one free and clear and so does Purex. Not sure about what the other choices are. And when you dry make sure to not use dryer sheets. Although I think once I had a few in there by accident and it didn't affect it, but you know just to be sure I'd keep them out.

[Crystal Lee]

Thanks for the tip

[hilary]

Thanks for the tip

No problem!

[Crystal Lee]

I've tried washing my fleece with detergent and now it works great! Thanks for the tip! I was worried I'd have to go back to that expensive Carefresh.