Help With Fleece Bedding!

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Oliviaaa

Oliviaaa

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Hey :)
I'm thinking of changing from sawdust and hay to fleece.

I would just like to know, how much do about 2 or 3 fleece blankets normally cost, and how much for the same as towels?
If you can! can you please post a website of where you get them from. :)

And if I wash the bedding in the washing machine will it bring a smell to the machine?
If it does, what should I do to keep it from doing?

Sorry for a lot of questions. :whistle:
 
I think It all depends on where you get them from, it's all about shopping around for what you prefer and the different prices. The fleeces shouldn't make the machine smell if washed properly but I would definitely put the washing machine on a rinse cycle afterwards :)
 
I wash my fleece/towels in a bag, it stops the hair and hay entering the washing machine itself, no, it doesn't make the washing machine smell:

I buy my ColourMatch towels from argos, 2-3 layers under the fleece:
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/1446869.htm

I buy my fleece from Primark, around £3 per throw, you'll need to buy the anti-pill fleece.
You can also buy it from Jo-Ann Fabrics, cut to size:
http://www.joann.com/fabric/

I have 3-4 layers of newspaper in my hutch, then 2-3 layers of towels, then one layer of fleece.
The fleece will need to be washed 3 times or more to make it wick before introducing to the hutch/cage, by removing the water barrier, if this is not done, when you pigs pee on the fleece, it will stay wet, not dry instantly, which is what you want to achieve. Wash towels and fleece at 60 degrees once a week or more often, to kill bacteria, and when washing the fleece; do not use fabric softner, only use standard washing liquid and a cup full of distilled white vinegar; to remove stains. You will need to spot clean the fleece with a mini vacuum or dust pan and brush twice a day.

Hope this helps, this is the way I do things. :)
 
Pet's a home is a posiblity but I'd shop around, try Tesco, asda, perhaps some material stores in your area?
 
Chief Guinea Pig said:
I wash my fleece/towels in a bag, it stops the hair and hay entering the washing machine itself, no, it doesn't make the washing machine smell:

I buy my ColourMatch towels from argos, 2-3 layers under the fleece:
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/1446869.htm

I buy my fleece from Primark, around £3 per throw, you'll need to buy the anti-pill fleece.
You can also buy it from Jo-Ann Fabrics, cut to size:
http://www.joann.com/fabric/

I have 3-4 layers of newspaper in my hutch, then 2-3 layers of towels, then one layer of fleece.
The fleece will need to be washed 3 times or more to make it wick before introducing to the hutch/cage, by removing the water barrier, if this is not done, when you pigs pee on the fleece, it will stay wet, not dry instantly, which is what you want to achieve. Wash towels and fleece at 60 degrees once a week or more often, to kill bacteria, and when washing the fleece; do not use fabric softner, only use standard washing liquid and a cup full of distilled white vinegar; to remove stains. You will need to spot clean the fleece with a mini vacuum or dust pan and brush twice a day.

Hope this helps, this is the way I do things. :)
Click to expand...
A lot of detailed information, thank you :D
 
Oliviaaa said:
I heard in some of the comments that the zips can break.. is that ok if it does?
Click to expand...
My zip has broken on them too, I got some string to weave in and out of the net holes so it closes up.
But I heard Ikea do some good net bags, but they are a little on the small side.
 
Oliviaaa said:
Hey :)
I'm thinking of changing from sawdust and hay to fleece.

I would just like to know, how much do about 2 or 3 fleece blankets normally cost, and how much for the same as towels?
If you can! can you please post a website of where you get them from. :)

And if I wash the bedding in the washing machine will it bring a smell to the machine?
If it does, what should I do to keep it from

Sorry for a lot of questions. :whistle:
Click to expand...
Hi, I have chanced from horrid wood shavings to fleece in my outside hutch and my 3 boys and I love it. Top washing tip is to put the fleece and towels in an old duvet cover tied with a thick stretchy hair band, or you can buy proper horse wash bags which is what I've done there not cheap mine was £16 but they are good strong fabric zip up bags that last years also I have no hair or hay etc in my washer as the bag keeps it all inside :) I think they are really worth buying I've not had a problem with my waster smelling but like flutterby said always put it on a rinse or cleaning cycle afterwards.
Kell.
 
I love the thought of fleece but it worried me that it would end up too messy as I only have time to spot clean once a day. Hmm I'm so undecided. I'm considering paper bedding :-)
 
Flutterby said:
I love the thought of fleece but it worried me that it would end up too messy as I only have time to spot clean once a day. Hmm I'm so undecided. I'm considering paper bedding :-)
Click to expand...
I don't use Fitch, but I think it's good?
But it is regularly hard to get hold of, unless you buy from a horse bedding supplier. :)
 
Oliviaaa said:
@Chief Guinea Pig

So if I wash the fleece about 3 or more times before I use, the pee will just soak into the towel and leave the fleece dry?
(Going offline after this)
Click to expand...
Yep, after each wash (only rinse) you can test it by pouring some water on the fleece, if it soaks, then the fleece is ready. If it stays on the top of the surface, like jelly; then it needs to be washed again or more.
 
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