Is this fleece throw appropriate?

[AbiS]

Hi All,

Sorry - I know there have been many posts about fleece - I have read lots of them but my questions weren't all answered.

I was talking to MrS about the piggies last night (not that we talk about anything else these days) and I mentioned fleece. I thought he would be totally against it due to having to put piggy hair and pee through the washing machine on a regular basis but he thought it was a good idea. I do really like fitch but the boys do make a mess.

I have read what folk have said about the washing instructions but could those of you with fleece experience let me know if this throw from Ikea is suitable?

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/70242821/

My plan had been to put a thick layer of newspaper on the bottom (I don't want to have to pay out for puppy pads when I can get newspaper for free), then a single layer of towel topped with a single layer of fleece. Would this be adequate?

I am going to continue using newspaper and fitch in the areas they pee the most as this is in their hidey and bedroom where they also have their hay. Or do you think that if they are on fleece I could just put hay in the hay bowl (unused litter tray) and use fleece throughout (I want to limit the time I spend picking hay off the fleece). They never burrow in hay anyway - just eat it and pee on it!

 

[MerryPip]

I can't comment on the fleece but to keep your washing machine a little more hair free (and therefore the rest of your clothes etc!) then I use a washing bag like these....
http://www.furfeatherandfin.com/product/181/dz15/pet-laundry-bag.html

They let you stuff get washed and clean but also keep all the stray hair, poo and hay inside. When you take it out the washer you just turn it inside out, give it a shake and it all falls away ready for the next time! We have two and they are great, one of my friends uses them too to wash the piggies and cats stuff.

It also keeps the washing machine filter from getting stuffed up with nasty bits...

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

I can't comment on the fleece but to keep your washing machine a little more hair free (and therefore the rest of your clothes etc!) then I use a washing bag like these....
http://www.furfeatherandfin.com/product/181/dz15/pet-laundry-bag.html

They let you stuff get washed and clean but also keep all the stray hair, poo and hay inside. When you take it out the washer you just turn it inside out, give it a shake and it all falls away ready for the next time! We have two and they are great, one of my friends uses them too to wash the piggies and cats stuff.

It also keeps the washing machine filter from getting stuffed up with nasty bits...

I have to say that I hate fleece with a passion but I do like to use vet bed from time to time. However, even putting stuff in a bag doesn't seem to stop your washing machine ending up smelling musty and needing to do a few empty loads just to wash it through. Do other people find the same problem?

 

[madguinealady]

I have litter trays but still get hay on the fleece.If you have them in a c&c you could make a hay room from correx and make sides.Use fiddlesticks to make a bridge and the hay more or less stays in it.My duo have a deep hamster cage base accessed by medium fiddlesticks bridge and there is little to no hay on theirs.I also have extra towils and fleece where they pea so you are only washing small bits not a big fleece.Hope this is useful.I use puppy pads but only have to change a couole a week

 

[Goth Mummy]

I have to say that I hate fleece with a passion but I do like to use vet bed from time to time. However, even putting stuff in a bag doesn't seem to stop your washing machine ending up smelling musty and needing to do a few empty loads just to wash it through. Do other people find the same problem?

Yes, I gave up using fleece/puppy pads with the rabbit for that reason. I kept having to run the washing machine on emtpy with a 90 degree cycle and its too expensive.

 

[pelicano]

Yes, I think others on here use that Ikea fleece. I've always used Asda cheap throws up to now, but as long as it's very thin and 100% polyester you should be OK.

I wash it at 60 degrees in one of those washing bags. I used to find it quite smelly at 40, plus I don't think it's hygienic enough at 40 degrees.

 

[AbiS]

I have to say that I hate fleece with a passion but I do like to use vet bed from time to time. However, even putting stuff in a bag doesn't seem to stop your washing machine ending up smelling musty and needing to do a few empty loads just to wash it through. Do other people find the same problem?

I have looked in to vetbed but its just so expensive. Thought I would see how I get on with the washing aspect using fleece and if it works well will then consider splashing out on vetbed!

 

[MerryPip]

I use vet bed and have two sets so one in the cage and one in the wash. It is an expensive outlay to start with but it lasts really well. One of my boys has issues with hay and other bedding so vet bed is perfect for him.

Can't say I have a problem with the washing machine smelling, I use my normal powder and a spoon of vanish oxy-action too (haven't tried it but VAnish do anti-bacterial version too) and it comes up great and smells fab.

 

[AbiS]

I use vet bed and have two sets so one in the cage and one in the wash. It is an expensive outlay to start with but it lasts really well. One of my boys has issues with hay and other bedding so vet bed is perfect for him.

Can't say I have a problem with the washing machine smelling, I use my normal powder and a spoon of vanish oxy-action too (haven't tried it but VAnish do anti-bacterial version too) and it comes up great and smells fab.

The throws are £1.60 and I have plenty of old towels so I figured I would give that a go first as it barely going to cost me anything and isn't an issue if I decide the washable option isn't for me. If I'm happy with it I can always upgrade to vetbed.

Am quite excited about trying something new - going to Ikea on Monday!

 

[gus+walter]

I use almost that exact same set up. I have newspaper on the bottom, a thick fluffy towel and a fleece over the top. I have a litter tray at one end with a whole newspaper in the bottom with lots of hay on top. I put a little cardboard box in the tray with holes in (which they have become very attached to and have little tiffs over who sits in it).
They never seem to pee on the fleece now (yay!) so it doesn't smell so bad. I get most of the hay off the fleece by shaking it outside and rubbing it against the bricks of the house for those little cling-ons. I tip a little Zoflora in with the washing gel so it kills all the germs (even though it's a 60 wash and makes it smell nice