Decided To Try Fleece - Opinions On Supplies (Especially In The UK)

[Astrantia]

Hi all,

Having had my pigs a week now and doing the first week's clean (I spot clean daily), I've decided pine shavings are a total nightmare. When the pigs run it goes all over the floor, which then ends up all over the house. Not only that, but the pigs bellies are getting wet from sitting in their pee, regardless of me spot cleaning daily. I don't think the pigs are liking it all that much either.

I have put 'fleece-like' cloths under their pigalo's for now that I purchased from wilko in combination with the pine shavings. Here's the cloths I bought:

Cloths Multi-Purpose Absorbent x 8 at Wilkinson Plus

So I've read up on the fleece idea. What I'd like is some opinions on where I can get fleece in the UK and cheap towels.

So far I've found this:

Fleece Fabrics, Fat Quarters and Fat Quarter in the UK

Which is a cute fleece, is that the right kind of fleece?

Another place I think may do fleece by the metre is here:

Fabric Warehouse, home Fabrics, ready made and made to measure curtains + blinds

So what I'd need is one layer of fleece and then some towels underneath, do you think that would do the trick? Obviously I'd buy spare towels and fleece so I always have fresh to change over.

Does anyone know of somewhere to buy cheap towels in the UK?

Thanks guys

 

[-Emma-]

Erm yeah I think you can get some in ikea for £1 that are big but im not sure !

 

[cookie_gal]

Charity shops have loads of towels which should be very cheap. Cheap/bargain shops also sell fleece for dogs/cats generally. Not sure if it'll be big enough though.

 

[greenbeans]

Primark are good for cheap fleece, I buy loads of their stuff for a couple of quid to snuggle up in on these cold winter days. You could also try matalan, supermarkets, department stores?

Or for sheer luxury:

http://www.planetfleece.co.uk/navigation/products.asp?group=97

pricey but gorgeous.

 

[Astrantia]

Thanks cookie girl! No idea why I didn't think of that, cheers!

Nearest Primark to me is Maidstone, bit of a pain when I haven't passed my driving test yet, poo! I have seen some fleece in stores. I think what I'm going to do is visit the fabric warehouse in Canterbury.

 

[crazywiggy]

If you have a market somewhere nearby check that out - most of them have a fabric stall which should sell cheap fleece.

For the absorbant layer - again you could try a market stall, or a charity shop or small local type bedding store for towels. I found mine in a local shop, 3 for £10.
But I would recommend mattress pads over towels any day - I had to use 3 layers of towels before. Now it is just one mattress pad, it seems more comfy for the pigs and is easier to clean.
I got this one...
Buy Silentnight Superspring Mattress Topper - Double. at Argos.co.uk

It might sound expensive but it worked out ok. For 2 changes of bedding I needed 6 towels (£20). Now I need one layer of matterss pad (one double cut in half = £20).

 

[Astrantia]

If you have a market somewhere nearby check that out - most of them have a fabric stall which should sell cheap fleece.

For the absorbant layer - again you could try a market stall, or a charity shop or small local type bedding store for towels. I found mine in a local shop, 3 for £10.
But I would recommend mattress pads over towels any day - I had to use 3 layers of towels before. Now it is just one mattress pad, it seems more comfy for the pigs and is easier to clean.
I got this one...
Buy Silentnight Superspring Mattress Topper - Double. at Argos.co.uk

It might sound expensive but it worked out ok. For 2 changes of bedding I needed 6 towels (£20). Now I need one layer of matterss pad (one double cut in half = £20).

Hey there. Thank you for the advice. I actually have that EXACT mattress topper on my own bed right now! Do you find that it is absorbent enough? How often do you change yours? Does it smell? If so how long until it starts getting smelly? Does it wash ok?

Thanks!

 

[Astrantia]

Guys, I just found this:

Buy Satin Edge Fleece Throw - Chocolate. at Argos.co.uk - Your Online Shop for .

Would that work as the fleece? It's buy one get one free.

 

[Astrantia]

Hi again,

I bought fleece and under-padding (mattress protector) today! Many thanks to CrazyWiggy for the tips and everyone else in this thread.

Please see photos at the below links:

https://www.guineapigcages.com/photos/showphoto.php/photo/9873
https://www.guineapigcages.com/photos/showphoto.php/photo/9872