Safe Cleaners (not sure if this is Enclosures and Supplies or Health Clinic topic?)

[camaleonte82]

so, i have a few cham things that need a good scrubbing. and i need to know what the BEST cleaner is to use for things the chams will be climbing om and eating/drinking off of. but i do need to get this stuff clean and hot water doesnt seem to cut it

 

[camaleonte82]

and let me clarify. i know not to use chemical cleaners. when i say "cleaners" i mean "something that assists in the cleaning process" lol for my birds and mice i use vinegar and peroxide. for the cham stuff i usually use hot water but i have some stubborn things.

 

[reptilover]

I don't think viniger and peroxide would be an issue followed by a very very thourough rinsing.
But u can definatly wait for other opinions or another idea or two.

 

[camaleonte82]

I don't think viniger and peroxide would be an issue followed by a very very thourough rinsing.
But u can definatly wait for other opinions or another idea or two.

i might as well just ask you my questions. you seem to be able to answer them all with ease and i thought they would be ok. i like peroxide best bc it kills bacteria better but i thought vinegar would be better for chams.

 

[Catahoula]

i like peroxide best bc it kills bacteria better but i thought vinegar would be better for chams.

Vinegar is a natural disinfectant that is safe to be used around animals and children. I use a hot 50/50 water and vinegar solution to clean all my critter stuff. For really stubborn messes, I would let you items soak in the hot solution for a few minutes.

 

[AngieL]

You can buy reptile safe cleaning products from most reptile supply stores.

 

[Kodos2150]

I use chlorohexidine aka Nolvasan. I ordered a jug from the wildlife center I volunteer at. It is the same stuff vets use to scrub surgical sites and we use it for pretty much everything from cleaning cages to cleaning and flushing wounds with it. Once it is diluted to the proper concentration it doesn't have a strong smell or fumes like a bathroom cleaner would.

Ever see "My Big Fat Greek Wedding"?.... chlorohexidine is my windex

 

[reptilover]

i might as well just ask you my questions. you seem to be able to answer them all with ease and i thought they would be ok. i like peroxide best bc it kills bacteria better but i thought vinegar would be better for chams.

Haha. No I love the idea of getting many opinions and ideas from different people.. I'm just here often and post a lot

 

[camaleonte82]

Haha. No I love the idea of getting many opinions and ideas from different people.. I'm just here often and post a lot

i have fallen in love with this site. i fore see myself becoming a member such as sandrachameleon. obviously im not there yet but learning about all this stuff is the best feeling ever. i feel so useful and so proud that i am learning tips to help my chams

 

[xanthoman]

i just use a 10-20% unscented bleach solution. unscented bleach ( NaOCl sodium hypochorite ), is usda approved for use with food contact surfaces. bleach is a common disinfectant in many labs. bleach is made from salt water and reverts back to saltwater shortly after being oxidized. best of all, its almost free. vinegar contains acetic acid and imo, not a good choice, imo hydrogen peroxide also not a good choice. jmo

 

[sandrachameleon]

so, i have a few cham things that need a good scrubbing. and i need to know what the BEST cleaner is to use for things the chams will be climbing om and eating/drinking off of. but i do need to get this stuff clean and hot water doesnt seem to cut it

I use pickling white vinegar (higher acid content - which is a GOOD thing)
boiling
Steam
dish soap, water, scrub brush
and to a lesser degree, hy peroxide

i... i fore see myself becoming a member such as sandrachameleon. ....

thank you for the compliment - I encourage you to set your sights higher - Im really not all that special

 

[camaleonte82]

I use pickling white vinegar (higher acid content - which is a GOOD thing)
boiling
Steam
dish soap, water, scrub brush
and to a lesser degree, hy peroxide


thank you for the compliment - I encourage you to set your sights higher - Im really not all that special

you know your stuff

 

[DanSB]

I use good ole Chlorox Bleach diluted 1:1 or pure if I have rinse time.

Peroxide or vinegar are both also good choices in my opinion.

I've used chlorox to clean salt water aquarium parts, all manner of amphibian, bird, mammal and reptile enclosures with no ill effects ever. The trick is to rinse it well and it after a little time it will completely dissipate after killing anything it came into contact with.

For your floors bathrooms and mammal enclosures there is nothing better than hot water with laundry detergent and chlorox to get everything clean and disinfected. For food surfaces you can add Dawn dish soap instead of laundry detergent.

 

[sandrachameleon]

amazingly, there are some things NOT killed by bleach.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/parasites-bleach-waste-drain-water-13245/

 

[DanSB]

amazingly, there are some things NOT killed by bleach.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/parasites-bleach-waste-drain-water-13245/

That is a great thread thanks!

Okay so it kills everything it comes into contact with except embryonic parasitic worms and a few other micro monsters.

I've also heard conflicting reports it isn't very effective on a lot of fungus strains. It does wonders with ringworm though. (Not a worm a fungus)

I suppose the real truth of it all is there isn't a single kill shot which explains all your methods (Except maybe strong UVC sterilization lights as suggested in that other thread.)

I took apart a UV sterilizer I had and would like to warn everyone: It WILL burn you in less than a minute.

I also suppose the even realer truth is that there will be parasites and micro-organisms in our environment. Our job is to keep ourselves and our animals as healthy as possible to fight them off. Remember war of the worlds? It is our claim to this planet that we can fight them off! ha

 

[pssh]

Like others I would recommend vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, or chlorhexadine. Chlorhexadine is the same as nolvasan (which is actually used in a diluted form to clean the wounds of some animals.) It's very cheap too.

 

[sandrachameleon]

.....I took apart a UV sterilizer I had and would like to warn everyone: It WILL burn you in less than a minute.

danger will robinson, danger!

 

[reptilover]

I use pickling white vinegar (higher acid content - which is a GOOD thing)
boiling
Steam
dish soap, water, scrub brush
and to a lesser degree, hy peroxide


thank you for the compliment - I encourage you to set your sights higher - Im really not all that special

Don't be koi.. your special!

 

[DanSB]

Don't be koi.. your special!

Yes please do not be a Japanese fancy carp!

ha haa

Sorry that was too good pass up.

 

[sandrachameleon]

Ha! Lol

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