I'm in the US, East Coast, Philadelphia to be exact. I've been using Carefresh for the past few years, but just recently built a new C&C for rescue foster piggies and the Coroplast for two cages is going to be too expensive. I've been wanting to try fleece for a while and this is pushing me to do it now.
I have a 2x4 and a 2x3 cage.
Now, since the flippers (and I think the liners as well, can someone confirm this?) are able to be used on both sides (essentially doubling the time between cleanings), I'm thinking I only need one set for each cage instead of the recommended two sets per cage. I'll just take the pigs out for floor time as their cage is cleaned, move the first pigs back to their now clean cage, and do the same with the next set of pigs. It sounds like cleaning less fleece liners at a time is better anyway, gets everything cleaner than if you filled the washer up, right? Please correct me if there is something wrong my logic here.
So assuming everything I've said so far is true, my next question is whether the Fleece Flippers or pre-made cage liners at guineapigmarket.com are really that much more expensive that making your own. I definitely have access to everything I need, but just not sure what the exact prices will be until I go to each store and compare prices. Before I do that, I just want to get an idea of how much money I could potentially be saving. I've done a bit of research and math from online prices, and here's what I've found.
First, the cost of buying pre-made fleece flippers or liners:
Fleece Flippers (need 7 for both cages, but have to buy them per cage due to how they cut them for perfect fit)
Set of 4 - $97.99
Set of 3 - $79.99
TOTAL: $177.98 + $16.30 shipping = $194.28
Liners
2x4 - $75.99
2x3 - $65.99
TOTAL: $141.98 + $11.30 shipping = $153.28
It doesn't look like the website charges tax, but shipping is pretty expensive. Either way, buying the pre-made liners would be almost $50 cheaper than buying flippers. Now, I'm pretty sure making my own liners would be WAY more affordable, but I'm hoping I'm not making some wild assumptions so I'm looking for another set of eyes (and experienced fleece users) to double check my work.
I do have a sewing machine, it's not fancy but it's a brand name (I forget which brand, Singer?), some sort of starter model. I know how to use it and can definitely sew straight lines like this would require. So the only costs I need to consider are the actual materials. I'll base this on the measurements from guineapigmarket.com
Fleece
2x3 cage: approx 31" x 45" pre-shrunk to fit 27" x 41" cage
(Two layers of fleece per liner, front/back) so total 62" x 45" OR 31" by 90" whichever I can find more easily
2x4 cage: approx 31" x 60" pre-shrunk to fit 27" x 56" cage
(Two layers of fleece per liner, front/back) so total 62" x 60" OR 31" by 120" whichever I can find more easily
Anti-pill fleece on the Joanne's Fabric website starts at $5.99/yrd for solid colors, $7.79/yrd for patterns, 59" wide. Let's assume I want patterns just to get the worst case scenario. And let's also assume I will not be rounding the 62" down to 59" (losing 1.5" of shrinking space on each side) so instead I'll be wasting a bunch of fabric (maybe make some cuddle cups) and using the 59" as the shorter sides, 45" and 60" (ok, I'll lose 1" of shrinkage here but I think it will be fine). 1 yard = 36 inches. I will need 62" x 2 = 124", or 3.5 yards. That would be Total: $27.26 for fleece.
*Note about fleece* Joanne's also sells Blizzard Fleece at $4.99/yrd patterns, "Extra Wide Premium Fleece" at $14.99/yrd patterns (over 84" wide), "Soft n' Comfy," "Soft n' Fluffy," and "Ultra Cuddle" but I have no idea what the difference is between any of those. The only things I've heard of are anti-pill and blizzard, and I've seen differing opinions on which is better on that one megathread on this forum about fleece. If Blizzard is better, it will also be cheaper, but I'm willing to spend the $7-8/yrd for anti-pill if it will be better than Blizzard. The others just seem like marketing gimmicks and probably will not be better for whicking, right?
U-Haul Pads
68" x 85" $7.95 each, pick up at local store
(Two layers of U-Haul pad per liner) so total 62" x 45" for 2x3 cage and 62" x 60" for 2x4 cage - 2 U-Haul pads will be enough, right? Total: $15.90 for pads.
Total cost for making my own liners: $43.16 (plus 8% Philly sales tax, still under $50)
That's it, right? In the scenario of me making my own, I would be making liners, not flippers, so no need for Coroplast in the middle. Just a fleece burrito with two layers of U-Haul pads in the middle, all sewn together in a big quilt, ready to lay in the cage and go in the wash as one piece. Is it going to be too stiff for that with two layers of U-Haul pads in the middle? I think this is exactly what guineapigmarket.com sells as the liner, so it should be good for a regular washer, right?
I'm very excited about this and hoping that my logic is sound. Please, PLEASE, experienced fleece users, if you have the time, read over my calculations in detail and let me know if I've made any big mistakes in terms of price of items, or the actual amount or type of items I will need. It will be very disheartening to go through all of this work and realize I don't have enough fleece, or the stuff I bought isn't the right kind, etc.
Also, I'm aware that I could probably save even more money buy hunting for fleece and mattress pads in thrift stores, etc. but if it's going to be under $50 to get everything brand new, I'm happy to pay for that convenience. I just spent like $43 at Petco buying 2 bags of Carefresh that will only last me about 2-3 weeks, so $50 for reusable bedding will be an absolute steal!
I have a 2x4 and a 2x3 cage.
Now, since the flippers (and I think the liners as well, can someone confirm this?) are able to be used on both sides (essentially doubling the time between cleanings), I'm thinking I only need one set for each cage instead of the recommended two sets per cage. I'll just take the pigs out for floor time as their cage is cleaned, move the first pigs back to their now clean cage, and do the same with the next set of pigs. It sounds like cleaning less fleece liners at a time is better anyway, gets everything cleaner than if you filled the washer up, right? Please correct me if there is something wrong my logic here.
So assuming everything I've said so far is true, my next question is whether the Fleece Flippers or pre-made cage liners at guineapigmarket.com are really that much more expensive that making your own. I definitely have access to everything I need, but just not sure what the exact prices will be until I go to each store and compare prices. Before I do that, I just want to get an idea of how much money I could potentially be saving. I've done a bit of research and math from online prices, and here's what I've found.
First, the cost of buying pre-made fleece flippers or liners:
Fleece Flippers (need 7 for both cages, but have to buy them per cage due to how they cut them for perfect fit)
Set of 4 - $97.99
Set of 3 - $79.99
TOTAL: $177.98 + $16.30 shipping = $194.28
Liners
2x4 - $75.99
2x3 - $65.99
TOTAL: $141.98 + $11.30 shipping = $153.28
It doesn't look like the website charges tax, but shipping is pretty expensive. Either way, buying the pre-made liners would be almost $50 cheaper than buying flippers. Now, I'm pretty sure making my own liners would be WAY more affordable, but I'm hoping I'm not making some wild assumptions so I'm looking for another set of eyes (and experienced fleece users) to double check my work.
I do have a sewing machine, it's not fancy but it's a brand name (I forget which brand, Singer?), some sort of starter model. I know how to use it and can definitely sew straight lines like this would require. So the only costs I need to consider are the actual materials. I'll base this on the measurements from guineapigmarket.com
Fleece
2x3 cage: approx 31" x 45" pre-shrunk to fit 27" x 41" cage
(Two layers of fleece per liner, front/back) so total 62" x 45" OR 31" by 90" whichever I can find more easily
2x4 cage: approx 31" x 60" pre-shrunk to fit 27" x 56" cage
(Two layers of fleece per liner, front/back) so total 62" x 60" OR 31" by 120" whichever I can find more easily
Anti-pill fleece on the Joanne's Fabric website starts at $5.99/yrd for solid colors, $7.79/yrd for patterns, 59" wide. Let's assume I want patterns just to get the worst case scenario. And let's also assume I will not be rounding the 62" down to 59" (losing 1.5" of shrinking space on each side) so instead I'll be wasting a bunch of fabric (maybe make some cuddle cups) and using the 59" as the shorter sides, 45" and 60" (ok, I'll lose 1" of shrinkage here but I think it will be fine). 1 yard = 36 inches. I will need 62" x 2 = 124", or 3.5 yards. That would be Total: $27.26 for fleece.
*Note about fleece* Joanne's also sells Blizzard Fleece at $4.99/yrd patterns, "Extra Wide Premium Fleece" at $14.99/yrd patterns (over 84" wide), "Soft n' Comfy," "Soft n' Fluffy," and "Ultra Cuddle" but I have no idea what the difference is between any of those. The only things I've heard of are anti-pill and blizzard, and I've seen differing opinions on which is better on that one megathread on this forum about fleece. If Blizzard is better, it will also be cheaper, but I'm willing to spend the $7-8/yrd for anti-pill if it will be better than Blizzard. The others just seem like marketing gimmicks and probably will not be better for whicking, right?
U-Haul Pads
68" x 85" $7.95 each, pick up at local store
(Two layers of U-Haul pad per liner) so total 62" x 45" for 2x3 cage and 62" x 60" for 2x4 cage - 2 U-Haul pads will be enough, right? Total: $15.90 for pads.
Total cost for making my own liners: $43.16 (plus 8% Philly sales tax, still under $50)
That's it, right? In the scenario of me making my own, I would be making liners, not flippers, so no need for Coroplast in the middle. Just a fleece burrito with two layers of U-Haul pads in the middle, all sewn together in a big quilt, ready to lay in the cage and go in the wash as one piece. Is it going to be too stiff for that with two layers of U-Haul pads in the middle? I think this is exactly what guineapigmarket.com sells as the liner, so it should be good for a regular washer, right?
I'm very excited about this and hoping that my logic is sound. Please, PLEASE, experienced fleece users, if you have the time, read over my calculations in detail and let me know if I've made any big mistakes in terms of price of items, or the actual amount or type of items I will need. It will be very disheartening to go through all of this work and realize I don't have enough fleece, or the stuff I bought isn't the right kind, etc.
Also, I'm aware that I could probably save even more money buy hunting for fleece and mattress pads in thrift stores, etc. but if it's going to be under $50 to get everything brand new, I'm happy to pay for that convenience. I just spent like $43 at Petco buying 2 bags of Carefresh that will only last me about 2-3 weeks, so $50 for reusable bedding will be an absolute steal!