So I'm curious

[ZenMama]

Do most people use fleece bedding in their cages? How often do you change it? Is there anything under it? Is it easier/better than cedar shavings?

I have never seen fleece used for guinea pigs until I came to these forums.

[Flower]

I tried it but was too much of a pain, for me anyhow. With big cages, aspen quickly adds up tho... May have to switch back to fleece. If you do use fleece, I suggest using the laundrymat vs home washer.

[PrincessAngel]

I use fleece. I change it on Weds and Sundays, because I have a 2x4 with 3 girls. Under my fleece I use bath towels and absorbent clothes, I know others have success with U-haul blankets but I have yet to buy any. For a large c&C cage yes it is much easier. Buying shavings say a large bag for $12-15 would last me 3 or 4 changes with a 2x3 cage. Fleece is just washed and you get years out of it. Fleece also looks nicer and you don't have shavings be all over the floor! I've been using fleece for the past 5 years and wouldn't go back to shavings unless my washer broke

[ThePigAlchemist]

I really like fleece. It saves me a ton of money, and I find it so much less of a pain than shavings that get everywhere. It also seems to last a bit longer before smelling, although some people seem to disagree with me.

Underneath the fleece I have two towels, although some people use U-Haul pads or puppy pads. The fleece is just a dry layer that the pee goes through, and the pee is absorbed by the lower layer.

[jade_14]

I LOVE fleece! I will never use anything but fleece ever again! I line the cage with puppy pads. I get giant sized ones so I only need to use 3 for the whole cage including the loft (2 for bottom, one for top). But I know a lot of people use towels and those work just fine too!
Gracie is mostly litter trained so she mainly pees in her litter box, so I empty that every other day and I wash her fleece once a week, sometimes I don't even need to change the puppy pads if she hasn't peed on them, but often she'll decide she's going to pee in a corner that week, or she'll miss the litter box .
I highly recommend it.
Just make sure if you do decide to use it you wash it the proper amount of times before, so it will wick properly! (I wash at least 3 times whenever I get new fleece).

[MissJean]

I just have cage liners. It's fleece and absorbent material sewn together. Makes changing the fleece super quick!
PiggyBedSpreads.com Making Your Guinea Pig's World a Beautiful Place!
Cage Liners - Jens Custom Crafts LLC - Shop
View Small Animal Lairs by CobbCabinCrafts on Etsy (you'll have to message her and ask for one to be made)
View Cage Liners by PennyGigDesigns on Etsy

Before I had the liners I used towels under my fleece. I only used two towels, but folded in a way that created two layers across the coroplast. I then smoothed the fleece up and over the sides and clipped it in place with binder clips.

Guinea pigs tend to have favorite peepee spots, and I think most of the sellers I listed sell small fleece pads to put in those areas.

I sweep it with a large metal serving spoon a couple times a day (sounds weird but works!), and also use a handvac while they're down for floor-time. Twice a week I change the "tidy pads", and once a week I replace the whole cage liner. Sometimes I'll change the tidy pads more or less, depending on if they feel moist or not. I always change the liners once a week.

You can vaccum the fleece or shake it outside before putting it in the laundry. You have to wash it a few times in hot water and detergent a few times when you first buy it. They put stuff on fabric before shipping it to stores you have to strip off, otherwise it won't wick moisture away properly. Some more fleece washing tips:

- Don't overload your washer. The machine will instruct you on how much room to leave on top. Water needs room to flow through and remove gunk and detergent from the fabric
- Use some perfume-free detergent. My favorite is Arm and Hammer for sensitive skin.
- Using a couple cups of vinegar in the rinse cycle helps dissolve any leftover detergent and gunk
- Don't use fabric softener sheets/liquid. Using the sheets often in your dryer can also cause build-up inside the machine itself. I think everyone should try a cup or two of vinegar in the rinse cycle of their clothes to replace fabric softener. Otherwise you may need to strip the fleece again at some point, or so I've heard.