Question Regarding Bedding

[Bofa]

I recently fell victim to a newbie guinea pig owner scam and bought the cage sold at petco that came with the bedding and food. My girlfriend and I thought it was a great deal since it was everything included. Over the past week we have learned 1) the cage is too small and we will make a C&C one soon. And 2) many people use a fleece bedding with these cages.

My question is regarding the latter. I'm currently using paper bedding and it is nice, however I'm already halfway through the bag and it's only been 5 days, I realized the cost will add up. I have mild OCD so I spot clean about 5 times a day, I can't stand the sight of any poop but with the poop removal also comes some bedding each time.

I really want fleece, however I'm not sure how to exactly maintain it. It's like peeing on a blanket and living and walking all over it for days, I find that very unsanitary. Doesn't the pee just build up making the fleece all gross? I'm okay with the poop cleaning since I already pick up poop multiple times a day with paper bedding. Is there certain methods to hide the odor? Since paper bedding does that by itself but fleece doesn't I'm assuming.

Sorry if this post was long and has too many questions, I appreciate any feedback I can get. Thank you!

 

[zombieprincess]

Fleece bedding doesn't get as wet as paper bedding will. The more fleece is washed, the more absorbant it becomes. The best way to use fleece is to have it stitched into a cage liners, this is usually a absorbant core and possibly a waterproof layer sandwiched between fleece. These are really easy to sweep down, flip over if you need a fresh side and replace with a fresh (I'd always suggest having 2 or 3 to rotate). Alternatively you can have a layer of newspaper and old towels or pippy training bags under a loose fleece that you tuck in. Essentially what happens is that the piggies urine, or drinking water soaks through the fleece and goes into the absorbant layer. This leaves the fleece dry to the touch for a good few days.
If you don't want to put it straight into a washing machine then you can put it into an old duvet cover, do it up and wash it that way to prevent debris getting into the machine. Or alternatively hand wash, which is what I do.
Ultimately, Guinea pigs are messy, they poop and wee every where, they eat their own poo so they don't care about how sanitary they are. You can use more traditional bedding in c&c cages so it may be worth experimenting and seeing what you like best

 

[Swissgreys]

Fleece is very easy to maintain, and in my experience it is easier to keep clean that disposable bedding.
The urine soaks straight through the fleece and is trapped in the absorbent layer underneath, leaving the fleece top layer dry.
As additional protection I also have a waterproof layer on the very bottom to protect the correx of the C&C.

I machine wash everything, and put all the guinea pig stuff into a Horse wear wash bag (I picked this up from Ebay) which means no fur and hay gets into my washing machine.

I sweep 1 - 2 times a day with a basic dust pan and brush to pick up poops, and also use small fleece pads in areas where they lay a lot and inside their hides. These get replaced every couple of days, and the whole liner is replaced once every 7 - 8 days.

What really helps keep everything clean (imho) is have a large area with big trays filled with hay. The guinea pigs spend a lot of time eating hay and so their hay trays (I use large plastic boxes from the DIY store) catch almost all of the wee nd about 80% of their poop. I clean the hay trays out daily.

And as @zombieprincess said you can always use disposable bedding in a C&C is fleece doesn't work out for you.

 

[Peanut&Butter]

I find fleece so much easier to use (and cheaper) than disposable bedding. I sweep the poo out a couple of times a day, and change the fleece every few days. I use puppy pads as my first layer which cost 1 pound for 7, or disposable pads that they use for toddlers beds, with two fleece blankets that cost 1.99 for a pack of two. Definitely wouldn't go back!

 

[Ginnywig123]

The cheapest way possible of getting bedding is Using your old newspapers.use one layer at the bottom of the cage and shred some for the bedroom(you can shred by hand!)

 

[Guineapigfeet]

I wouldn't recommend newspaper - I don't get on with it. My girls are on it when they're in the living room and I use 6 sheets as a base layer with hay over the top, change everything twice a day and the wee still goes all the way through and starts smelling towards the change time. But it is easy to roll up and throw away!

I think fleece (washed several times with no softener so liquid falls through rather than sitting on top) with an absorbent under layer or inner layer, sounds like it would suit you best though I don't use it myself

 

[Flutterby]

Fleece, when used properly, I feel is the best bedding for guinea pigs. Each have their own preferences though. When I first tries fleece I HATED it, but on my second try I fell in love, got it right and now I have fleece liners from Ziggy's Piggies which are great. Other than that I would recommend Aubiose bedding.