Fleece How do you clean your fleece?

[LuvCavysLuvCats]

So it's about time to change my fleece and I was wondering how you all wash your fleece? Do you just toss it in the washing machine? Do you let it soak in the bathtub first? If you don't pre-soak it does it get all in your washing machine and make the next load you put in there smell like guinea pig pee? (I'm really worried about this.) Do you use a specific kind of detergent? Or just vinegar? Really get as detailed as you can. I'm new at this. Haha. Thanks.

 

[agirlwithink]

I take it outside, shake all the stuff off of it really good, put it in the wash with my regular detergent and vinegar. I shake the fleece out again before putting it in the dryer.

I wash EVERYTHING with vinegar in it, clothing, towels, bedding, everything. It helps with the smell :]

 

[LuvCavysLuvCats]

So it never stinks up your washing machine?

 

[AnoherKim]

I'm getting ready to wash mine for the first time. I figured I'd do it just like cloth diapers, 1/2 cup Borax or Baking Soda in the wash cycle with detergent, and 1/2 cup vinegar in the rinse cycle. I never had diaper smell, so I'm hoping it will work with pig flippers.

 

[gatorgirl]

I brush mine first to get all debris off and then wash it (SEPARATELY from UHauls) in the washer on warm/warm and dry it in the dryer with a static sheet. My washer never smells from it.

 

[Traysea]

Is a static sheet the same as a dryer sheet (as in fabric softener sheet?)

 

[mamattorney]

Our washer never smells either. I shake the fleece out first, wash it in HOT on the longest wash available with detergent and pour vinegar in the fabric softener reservoir (so it is used during the rinse cycle). Maybe every other time or every third time, I wash it a second time with no detergent. Even with the vinegar, there is still detergent residue on the fleece/uhaul and getting rid of that helps with the smell too. I always smell it right out of the washer - if the fleece even remotely smells like gp, it goes back in for a re-wash.

 

[madrae]

I try to get as much hay and fur off as possible. Wash with regular detergent, and I rinse, or 2nd rinse, with vinegar. Dry without dryer sheets.

My machines do not smell, but as much as I try to prevent, my washing machine always has hay and fur stuck to sides. I just wipe it out with a paper towel after each use.

I have multiple cages. So I end up with more than one load. I always do fleece first, since that has the most hay particles. Then my blankets and towels. I still wipe out machine after every load, but I think the order helps keep hay/hair at minimum for when it is time to throw the human clothes back in!

 

[Starthecavy123]

You have to shake the hay, hair, and poo out. You can also vaccume up the poo. Hair can be stubborn so you may have to beat it. Also a queegee works just make sure to use short strokes. You can also purchase a small cheap hand vaccume just for the piggies. Lint rollers may also work but probably not as good. Vinegar also helps with the smell just put it in the wash.

 

[C. Cole-Chakotay]

I shake my fleece off and wash it with Arm and Hammer unscented detergent mixed with vinegar. After washing, I look in my washer and pick out any pieces of hay, etc., that may be left behind.

 

[CallieLovesPigs]

I do two loads, fleece and Uhual. I do two washing cycles for each load. First cycle is Hot/Cold, and In that one I put in Borax and some heavy duty free & clear detergent. The next cycle is Cold/Cold, and I use vinegar. Then I Dry on the delicate setting. I clean my fleece every 5 or 6 days, and every like 15 days I will soak the fleece and Uhaul in hot water with vinegar. Before I wash I vacuum the fleece and shake it thoroughly. My washing machine never smells after.

 

[GeekPrincess]

I shake the living daylights out of it, vacuum it and then either bring it to laundry mat and wash it there with regular detergent and vinegar or rinse it really good in my tub, rinse the tub, and then soak it with detergent and vinegar. Then rinse, wring out and hang on the balcony to dry.

 

[Gandalf]

I also wash with regular detergent and vinegar (after vacuuming and shaking). I hang mine to dry and find it easy to wipe away any remaining fur while it is hanging outside to dry (and is still wet).

As for your machine staying clean, just wipe out any loose remains of hay and fur. Then you can run the machine empty (mini-load setting) with hot water and a cup of bleach. That will make it all clean for your non-piggie needs.

 

[gatorgirl]

Is a static sheet the same as a dryer sheet (as in fabric softener sheet?)

Yes, but I use the unscented kind for the pigs.

 

[gatorgirl]

And if you brush your fleece with a stiff brush before you wash it, you won't get any hay in your washer and you'll greatly reduce hair.

 

[ShadeyPig]

I vacuum the fleece while its still in the cage. Then toss it in the washing machine with normal washing liquid with the matterss protectors too ( I use instead of uhal ) then it all goes in the dryer. Easy peasy no smell.

 

[Traysea]

fabric softer effects the performance of your fleece. If it isn't wicking as well over time that would be why..

Yes, but I use the unscented kind for the pigs.

 

[Matchamom]

I vacuum the fleece while its still in the cage. Then toss it in the washing machine with normal washing liquid with the matterss protectors too ( I use instead of uhal ) then it all goes in the dryer. Easy peasy no smell.

What type of vacuum do you use? A hand vacuum or your regular vacuum?

 

[Gandalf]

What type of vacuum do you use? A hand vacuum or your regular vacuum?

I use this small shop vac just for my piggies...
http://www.lowes.com/pd_215726-20097-9302011_0__?productId=3339728



I extended the length of the hose by using part of a pool vacuum hose I had.

 

[Ama4884]

We use a shop vac for our cages.