Cleaning out - There must be an quicker way?

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KimberleysWheekers

KimberleysWheekers

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Cleaning the piggies out is really beginning to bug me! I'll be the first to admit, I hate cleaning of any sort. Because of this, and my not wanting to do it, I do have a tendancy to drag out the process which I know is my own fault. The three cages take me at least an hour to change over, or like today, almost 3 hours.

My piggies are indoors, on inco pads covered in fleece which is on the cage base and same again in the loft area. They figured out how to get under the fleece and, because I don't want them ruining the (very expensive!) inco pads, I now bulldog clip the fleece to the pads. So this takes me time. I have to line up the pads to the right length (two per cage) then clip the fleece. Then change over, brush down the old, sort all the washing etc.

Surely there is an easier way? I would like to just be able to pull out the old and throw in the new instead of all this faffing about!

I'd like to make liners, but I don't want to ruin the pads to the point I have to throw them away as they are pricey. I also don't want to stitch the fleece directly on to the pads as I have a variety of fleeces and like having a change.

Any suggestions? Has anyone made liners from their pads/fleece?

Henry is on towels and fleece at the mo as haven't ordered pads for that cage yet and it takes me about 5 mins to do his whole cage.... Maybe I should have stopped at two piggles 8...
 
why not just use news paper and fleece? the paper you chuck when wet the fleece is washable and cheap ...I bought a pet blanket for 1-99 and halved it and wash one use one! sometimes if it isn;t wet I shake the pooh off hang it out to air while they use their outdoor run then put fresh paper and fleece back in in the evening. but you can pick the pooh or shake it off when neccessary - you don't have to do all the hutches the same day....stagger it so it doesn't seem so bad? x
 
I just can't get into fleece, it is such hard work! Maybe you could try megazorb, it needs changed far less often or put linoleum in part of the cage and have a snuggly bed area so you have less to clean.
 
I only clean out once a week (big clean). I just know it shouldn't take me that long to do.

Also, I forgot to add, they have figured out how to get under the loft fleece now aswell (which isn't clipped down) so need a solution to that.

I don't really want to change from the pads, I really like them, they keep the smell down etc, and I have spent a small fortune on buying them!
 
Hmmm don't know then, I take ages to clean out cages but that is because I always do our indoor pigs cages in front of the telly and potter about chatting to them. Maybe you could take the same length of time but do something while you are working.
 
Do you have a picture? I do not know what these pad things are so cannot picture what you are saying.
 
Romily said:
Hmmm don't know then, I take ages to clean out cages but that is because I always do our indoor pigs cages in front of the telly and potter about chatting to them. Maybe you could take the same length of time but do something while you are working.
Click to expand...

Haha that's what I do! But not to help me tidy/clean, it's more to distract me rolleyes I'm my own worst enemy!

caviaporcellus said:
Do you have a picture? I do not know what these pad things are so cannot picture what you are saying.
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They are bed pads that people with continence problems use. They are washable and look like this. I have a couple of these on the cage floor with fleece over the top and then a couple of smaller chair pad ones for the loft part of the cages, again covered with fleece. It is the absorbant layer that I use instead of towels or newspaper :)
 
You have the Trixie 150 cages, don't you? The absolutely easiest way for you to "load" your cages would be to clip the fleece between the plastic tray and the metal "cage" part. That way there's no way they can get to the inco pads. No folding and no worrying. Inco pads down, drape fleece over, clip top down. You'd be done in 10 minutes with no hay and poop spilling out.

That said I butchered my pads and feel very happy about it :) (Just saying this to explain that hell won't freeze over if you do it... :)) ). I cut them apart because the waterproof layer made them heavy and slow to dry and also cut and sewed so that I have a perfect size for my cage base. The bottom of the cage is lino so I didn't see the catastrofy in it getting a little wee-stained (and it hasn't, so far it has wiped clean with just water)

My cage is completely different from all other I've seen. I have a lino- covered table with a "lip" around the edge. The inco pads go on first and then the fleece which is cut to the exact same size as the table and inco pads. I dont't fold it under at all. The the walls of the cage go on and they fit right inside the lip and holds fleece and inco pads down -smooth and not bulky. Like it would work in your cage, except your sides are higher. I then add bits of fleece and vetbed for burrowing under and to drag around (because they love it :) )

I dont understand how you think they might ruin the pads? They wash really well! If you want to make a liner use really long stiches. That way it would be easier to unpick. Or you could sew poppers (is that the word? I mean buttons that just snap together) to the inco pads and fleece to stick them together, or use velcro. It does sound like hard work. the way you're doing it now... And blimey, 3 hoours!?! I change my (admittedly single) cage in 10 minutes.

I have a lot of fleece so I just wash piggy stuff once a month.

Next batch of piggy bedding I get will be "zorb" (a super absorbant fabric from an american webshop). Should have gone for it in the first place since I cut the waterproof stuff out anyway. (I plan to use the cut off waterproof material to make lap cushions to sell for fundraising at the rescue we support :) )
 
Yup, the Trixie 150s (and a Trixie 120 with Henry in at the mo) I hadn't thought about putting the fleece all the way over to be honest, I might give it a go. I think I want them in one bit rather than lots, I think that is my problem. For the 150's I have 4 pads in each (2 overlapping on the floor and 2 overlapping on the loft because the sizes of the pads don't fit exactly). I'd like them to fit snuggly.

Like you say, it isn't the end of the world if they don't work, I could just practice on one pair of the chair pads as they are the cheapest. You haven't found that there are any problems with leakage where the needle holes are?


I do love your cage Petra! It is genius! I was showing my boyfriend it when you posted the pics. You could get commissions to make them for new adoptors at the rescue! ;)
 
I have a little bit of leekage because I took away the waterproof layer altogether... But then the bottom of your cage is plastic and the loft is correx and it will wipe clean with very little effort. If it does leak a tiny itty bitty bit through the needle holes it's not going to ruin anything. If it bothers you put a little paper right there.

If your throws aren't big enough to go over the sides consider buying fleece by the yard. Heaps of pretty designs to choose from! I have been very happy with the quality to, much thicker than the throws.
 
Oh, if you decide to try joining pads together... don't overlap them to sew if you want it smooth. I put them right by eachother so that there was no space between and then zig-zagged them together. Less bulky then a double seam :)
 
You could try vetbed, with newspaper underneath? You just cut the vetbed to fit and literally take out the old and use the new. It does have a tendancy to clog up a washing machine, though.

Why not try shavings? I know a lot of people advise against them but they work for my lot of thirty-odd pigs. It's eight pound a bale from the horse supplier and I use newspaper and hay alongside it too.
 
my pigs used to go unde the vetbed. I found that it stank as well after about 6 months of using it. I can only wash 2 litters worth at a time in the washing machine (against 5 of fleece). Having said that, they loved the comfort of it, but it was a right *%$£&! to clean especially the small bits of hay! The fleece also smells, it seems they do a very smelly 'welcome home' pee when they go back in...
I think I preferred shavings but OH was really allergic... :( It smelled fresh for a day or so but it did used to go EVERYWHERE! It's a tough one...

I change my piggies every 2-3 days. It takes a while because of where they are and with the mezz floor, it's quite difficult to move the cage around. The piggies are naughty as well as they always try to escape from their run, now! I used to be able to do the cage in 10 minutes (sometimes I'd do it before work...) now it takes a good half-hour between the actual job and looking after the piggies, ensuring Oliver is safe... arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

In fact I'm off to do it now... I'm going to re-try the vetbed for a change... (the only trouble is I can't see Frankkie-pig on it! :)) :)))
 
I'm planning on making the all in ones and getting the inco pads sewn together and then the fleece sewn on top. I am not very imaginative with the fleece though so it wouldn't bother me.

Was planning on getting the rest of the inco pads at the end of the month and then some fleece by the meter and elastic and then getting my mum to help me and sew it all together to hopefully have all in ones.

The biggest help I have had recently with clean outs is a dedicated poop and hay hoover - I got a cheap bagless one with my birthday money (sad?) and it's brilliant. Spot cleans are so so much faster! In fact everything is quicker and cleaner that way it's great!

My cages take over an hour when I go a full clean and about 45 minutes for the spot cleans. It's quite a committment.

Good luck getting your time down!
 
I use fleece and a hay tray and admittedly it is a faff but it is my own fault as i was silly enough to design a cage with stupid access! (have to remove the hay tray climb in then manouver my boobs over the bottom fleece tray so i can reach the back corner to remove it all, get out again usually with banging my head on the upper level and then do it all over again to put the fleece all back in!) If you used megazorb or aubiose instead of fleece options then you can just carry your cage to the green bin (compost) and tip in, spray with disinfectant wait to dry add more bedding simples - still i choose to use fleece as much cheaper for me :)
 
Tracyxx said:
You could try vetbed, with newspaper underneath? You just cut the vetbed to fit and literally take out the old and use the new. It does have a tendancy to clog up a washing machine, though.

Why not try shavings? I know a lot of people advise against them but they work for my lot of thirty-odd pigs. It's eight pound a bale from the horse supplier and I use newspaper and hay alongside it too.
Click to expand...

I used to use shavings when I got my first pair, my main concern with going back to it now would be the smell. With seven piggies across three cages in my lounge, I know that the rest of my household will be moaning at the slightest whiff of them. It was nice and quick to clean out though.


MrsM said:
my pigs used to go unde the vetbed. I found that it stank as well after about 6 months of using it. I can only wash 2 litters worth at a time in the washing machine (against 5 of fleece). Having said that, they loved the comfort of it, but it was a right *%$£&! to clean especially the small bits of hay! The fleece also smells, it seems they do a very smelly 'welcome home' pee when they go back in...
I think I preferred shavings but OH was really allergic... :( It smelled fresh for a day or so but it did used to go EVERYWHERE! It's a tough one...
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Yeh, I turn my back for a minute after cleaning and there's poop EVERYWHERE rolleyes I think they hold on to do it!


Lisajazz said:
The biggest help I have had recently with clean outs is a dedicated poop and hay hoover - I got a cheap bagless one with my birthday money (sad?) and it's brilliant. Spot cleans are so so much faster! In fact everything is quicker and cleaner that way it's great!

My cages take over an hour when I go a full clean and about 45 minutes for the spot cleans. It's quite a committment.

Good luck getting your time down!
Click to expand...

Your new hoover - Is it a proper hoover or a handheld dustbuster type one? I got a dustbuster type one when I first switched to fleece but it doesn't work that great :( You can hear the charge dying out of it as you use it. At the mo, for spot cleaning, I put gloves on and just use my hands, I found it to be quicker. I just, hmmm how to describe it, scrap(?) all the mess into a pile and then pick it up and put in the bin. Will be getting a composter soon so it will then go in there.


lovelygirl said:
I use fleece and a hay tray and admittedly it is a faff but it is my own fault as i was silly enough to design a cage with stupid access! (have to remove the hay tray climb in then manouver my boobs over the bottom fleece tray so i can reach the back corner to remove it all, get out again usually with banging my head on the upper level and then do it all over again to put the fleece all back in!) If you used megazorb or aubiose instead of fleece options then you can just carry your cage to the green bin (compost) and tip in, spray with disinfectant wait to dry add more bedding simples - still i choose to use fleece as much cheaper for me :)
Click to expand...

Isn't it annoying that boobs get in the way so much? I get caught on the cage as I lean in through the side door to get to the back under the mezz floor :red
 
Now I've got a routine going I can clean the 3 x 4 and hay loft and brush off the fleece in about half an hour. Usually I put the girls in the washing basket while I do it and I find their disgruntled faces enough to spur me on to do it quickly. :(|) However, if I put them down for floortime in the hall while I do it, I've found it can take up to an hour. :{ It seems I'm definitley motivated by the power of piggy pressure. rolleyes
 
It only takes me about 20 minutes to clean out my 5.3ft hutch, which is so much easier. I will never understand why people like to use fleece! Have you ever tried hay and straw? It's just out with the old, quick spray and wipe, then in with the new :D
 
I only have about a 6 inch gap as it is! not sure the metal bra is the way forward! and why do they poop in the most awkward corner!
 
I'm interested in these inco pads as I use puppy pads which work out expensive in my 3 big cages. Does anyone know how much they are and the best place to buy them? Maybe then I wouldn't need to use so much aubiose as they are obviously very absorbent. Aubiose is expensive but I haven't found anything I like as much. Tho I have yet to try Megazorb.

Currently I use puppy pads, followed by aubiose and vet bed in the beds. And, yes, vet bed is a swine to clean, especially with all that aubiose. I use a stiff brush to clean it, + lots of banging against a wall. and it takes forever to get it clean enough to go in the washer. Before it goes in the washer I always hang it outside whatever the weather to air it. Doing this I have found it never smells after washing tho :)
 
skrikopanik said:
Next batch of piggy bedding I get will be "zorb" (a super absorbant fabric from an american webshop). Should have gone for it in the first place since I cut the waterproof stuff out anyway. (I plan to use the cut off waterproof material to make lap cushions to sell for fundraising at the rescue we support :) )
Click to expand...

Maybe you could tell us more about the "zorb" when you have more info?
Thanks.
 
mork said:
I'm interested in these inco pads as I use puppy pads which work out expensive in my 3 big cages. Does anyone know how much they are and the best place to buy them? Maybe then I wouldn't need to use so much aubiose as they are obviously very absorbent. Aubiose is expensive but I haven't found anything I like as much. Tho I have yet to try Megazorb.

Currently I use puppy pads, followed by aubiose and vet bed in the beds. And, yes, vet bed is a swine to clean, especially with all that aubiose. I use a stiff brush to clean it, + lots of banging against a wall. and it takes forever to get it clean enough to go in the washer. Before it goes in the washer I always hang it outside whatever the weather to air it. Doing this I have found it never smells after washing tho :)
Click to expand...

I think most people on the forum who have them bought them from Costal Linen Supplies through Amazon.co.uk (although they do have their own website as well as being a seller on Amazon). It all depends on your cage size(s) as to which ones and how many you need etc. If you go with them, have a look around (google 'washable bed pads' or 'washable incontinence pads') fo the different sizes available as they are expensive and you don't want to buy a load and then realise they wont fit or you could have done it cheaper using different sizes!

For the cage base I use these [ame="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Washable-Absorbent-Bed-90cms-Wings/dp/B000MES1W8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=kitchen&qid=1277017803&sr=8-2"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Washable-Absorbent-Bed-90cms-Wings/dp/B000MES1W8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=kitchen&qid=1277017803&sr=8-2[/ame] and for the lofts and as protectors during lap time I use these [ame="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Washable-Absorbent-Chair-Pad-40cms/dp/B001LEEQZE/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=kitchen&qid=1277017826&sr=8-9"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Washable-Absorbent-Chair-Pad-40cms/dp/B001LEEQZE/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=kitchen&qid=1277017826&sr=8-9[/ame] - I need to overlap two big ones for the base and two chair pads for the lofts but I'm going to look for one bigger one to do the base of my Trixie 120 cage when I come to buy them, rather than overlapping.

They are expensive, but the plus sides are that they don't smell, are hygenic (are intended for use by humans), washable at up to 90°, can go in the tumble dryer although I find they dry fine anyway, and are expected to last for 200 washes each.
 
Crumbs 200 washes each!
I havnt got a clue how many washes the vetbed is recommended to do.
Yes it is a nightmare to get all the hay out of it and I find I need to clean more often (complete change every 3 days).
However i think thats due to the vetbed being pure white-it seems to show up everything alot worse.:...
However on yesterdays change I added a layer of fleece on top of the vetbed so I can hopefully take it out in the morning and leave them with the cleaner vetbed underneath.That might just get me four days!:)
Yes its a commitment but worth it.
I love seeing their faces when they come back inside (none of mine have EVER made a sound:0)
Issyx
 
Having tried fleece, vetbed etc in the past with my rats, I really wouldn't want to use it for Guinea pigs - it must be a nightmare trying to brush off all the hay before washing!

I use a thick layer of newspaper topped with Aubiose or Megazorb in my C&C - it only takes me 20 minutes to do a full cleanout! :)
 
I have an outdoor hutch and use the dreaded saw dust and hay and apart from the corners, doesnt take long at all, once ive moved the hutch cover so i can get to the bottom living quarters.

what do people do about wet corners?
 
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