Cleaning outdoor hutch?

[Hannah8881]

I was just wondering how you clean you'd outdoor hutches? today I scrubbed it out with a bowl of soapy water n a scrubbing brush but my partner said I shouldn't because the wood would just soak it up snd swell. But I don't know how else to clean it? I know you can get the hutch cleaners but surely you still need water? Can anybody help plz

 

[MellyWelly]

My boys hutch has lino on the floor, making cleaning a little easier. I generally use soapy water, just with a cleaning cloth, it doesn't have to be soaking wet, then I use a disinfectant spray formulated for cleaning hutches. Let that dry, wipe down again and lay all the bedding down etc. Job done!

 

[Romily]

I find it quite tricky to keep the wood of the hutch shiny clean. On the floor of the shed I have put down linoleum and I think I will need to do the same for the hutch. At the moment I use a wallpaper scraper and stiff brush to clear as much debrise as possible and then wipe it over with detergent and a well squeezed cloth.

 

[Hannah8881]

Thank you guys. Will make sure that I use a well squeezed cloth in the future and will invest in some lino too

 

[happysaz133]

Yep, lino is a fantastic thing to line a hutch with, very hygenic too, the wood will not rot. I use hutch cleaner and a little bit of water to scrub mine out. It always smells lovely!

 

[CiaraPatricia]

My hutches have plastic coated floors, but my old hutches were just wood. I'd turn them on their side and hose them out. I don't really think it matters if it absorbs the water?

I've also used a power washer on them, when they badly needed a clean, but it would have to be quite strong wood because power washers are pretty powerful.

 

[Hannah8881]

Yes I think it is a but more hygienic with lino. Do you think sticky back lino is best or just ordinary?

 

[garnet2424]

I make sure there is plenty of newspaper so when I clean it out, I just roll up the newspaper with the bedding. Then I use small animal friendly disinfectant & use a sponge to wipe and pick up any left over bedding

 

[Hannah8881]

We don't read enough newspapers lol and we don't get enough free ones either. I might ask around my friends to see if they can donate me their unwanted ones. There must be somebody I kno who reads them thank you

 

[Little Piggles]

I have put lino tiles in our hutch. Measure them out, pull off the backing and just stick them down. I use a pet-friendly disinfectant spray and wipe down with kitchen roll. With the tiles, it's so much easier to clean than bare wood

I use Garnets idea of newspaper too, saves trying to sweep out all the hay if you can get your hands on any

 

[Romily]

We have a local free newspaper that you can get copies of in the local libray, you can always try that.

 

[happysaz133]

Yes I think it is a but more hygienic with lino. Do you think sticky back lino is best or just ordinary?

I just have ordinary lino, just what was left on a roll from doing a floor in the house. You can try flooring shops, they will often have off-cuts for free that they have no use for!