Questions On Fleece

Cavy Lover

Cavy Lover

Adult Guinea Pig
Joined
Mar 18, 2014
Messages
1,051
Reaction score
794
Points
605
Location
Ireland
So tomorrow I’m going into town and I’m going to get some pretty fleece for the pigs new C&C cage and I just have a few questions. My friend is going to make me a cage liners.

I’ve heard that you have to wash the fleece 3 times before you use it. Should I wash it before we make the cage liner or after it’s all put together?

I know that using a mattress protector is a good absorbent for wee. Should I put a towel under that aswell? So that the liner would be fleece,mattress protecter,towel and then another bit of fleece?

I have a few fleece beds and tunnels. Should I wash those aswell before the pigs use it?

There probably be more questions to follow. Thanks
 
I just use fleece throw blankets with a reusable waterproof mattress protector underneath, they’ve been my favorite bedding so far. But I’ve never washed mine 3 times before use. Strange. If you plan on washing it before use, I would wash it after it’s all put together to test durability. wouldn’t recommend putting a towel under the mattress protector. The mattress protector should have enough absorbency.

However I would reccomend washing your already fleece items like your fleece tunnels and beds.

How many times do you plan on cleaning out their cage? I clean mine out every 3 days
 
PerpLexxity said:
I just use fleece throw blankets with a reusable waterproof mattress protector underneath, they’ve been my favorite bedding so far. But I’ve never washed mine 3 times before use. Strange. If you plan on washing it before use, I would wash it after it’s all put together to test durability. wouldn’t recommend putting a towel under the mattress protector. The mattress protector should have enough absorbency.

However I would reccomend washing your already fleece items like your fleece tunnels and beds.

How many times do you plan on cleaning out their cage? I clean mine out every 3 days
Click to expand...
Yeah probably about the same every 3-4 days. Yeah I will wash it after to test how strong it is. Thanks
 
Since you're going to sew everything together, it might be better to wash before sewing, just in case they have different rate of shrinking. If you sew first, then one of the fabric shrank, it could make the liner bunch up.

I usually wash my fleece in hot water and dry on the hottest setting in the dryer. The fleece shrank a little.
 
lissie said:
Since you're going to sew everything together, it might be better to wash before sewing, just in case they have different rate of shrinking. If you sew first, then one of the fabric shrank, it could make the liner bunch up.

I usually wash my fleece in hot water and dry on the hottest setting in the dryer. The fleece shrank a little.
Click to expand...
Perfect thanks. Is that how you wash it after all the wee and poo or after the liner is made?
 
Yes, I wash on hot and dry on high before sewing everything together, and also wash it with the same settings on regular wash after piggy use.
 
:agr: with @lissie that you need to wash all layers at 60 degrees three times so your layers should be shrunk,so they do not shrink and end up with short cage liners.you should not need to place a towel underneath,unless you want security of no wet patches.i would use mini fleece liners eg i xi size under houses and high traffic areas so the liner lasts a week between cleans .:)
 
eileen said:
:agr: with @lissie that you need to wash all layers at 60 degrees three times so your layers should be shrunk,so they do not shrink and end up with short cage liners.you should not need to place a towel underneath,unless you want security of no wet patches.i would use mini fleece liners eg i xi size under houses and high traffic areas so the liner lasts a week between cleans .:)
Click to expand...
Thanks. So when I’m buying the fleece should I get it bigger then the 5x2 cage size just Incase it shrinks? And yes I plan to do that and I also have litter for the kitchen area.
 
eileen said:
yes i would get bigger than 5 x 2 ! Litter tray is a good idea !:)
Click to expand...
Sorry for for all the questions but I just have one more. Have much bigger will I get the fleece length and width wise so I have room for the sewing aswell? I just want to be prepared. Thanks
 
I washed my fleece a couple of time before I used it, because like you I’d heard that I had to! Probably easier to wash it before, you’ll probably find that way it fits in your machine easier!
 
We bought some fleece and washed them. WE HAD TOO. the ones we bought didn't absorb the water test. e.g. before the piggies use them. Some fleece unless washed a few times don't allow liquid through. We did on 60 and they went from duck tight to piggie bottom friendly. :yahoo:
 
David Pet Lover said:
We bought some fleece and washed them. WE HAD TOO. the ones we bought didn't absorb the water test. e.g. before the piggies use them. Some fleece unless washed a few times don't allow liquid through. We did on 60 and they went from duck tight to piggie bottom friendly. :yahoo:
Click to expand...
Thanks. That’s what I was wondering. How many times did you wash it?
 
PerpLexxity said:
I just use fleece throw blankets with a reusable waterproof mattress protector underneath, they’ve been my favorite bedding so far. But I’ve never washed mine 3 times before use. Strange. If you plan on washing it before use, I would wash it after it’s all put together to test durability. wouldn’t recommend putting a towel under the mattress protector. The mattress protector should have enough absorbency.

However I would reccomend washing your already fleece items like your fleece tunnels and beds.

How many times do you plan on cleaning out their cage? I clean mine out every 3 days
Click to expand...
I looked up mattress protectors and if they're made of polyester they are not at all absorbent!
I've just bought fleece but am put off by talk of shrinkage of sewn liners. Does anyone out there just lay fleece loose on top of an absorbent layer, like cotton towels or the like?
 
annar96 said:
I looked up mattress protectors and if they're made of polyester they are not at all absorbent!
I've just bought fleece but am put off by talk of shrinkage of sewn liners. Does anyone out there just lay fleece loose on top of an absorbent layer, like cotton towels or the like?
Click to expand...
Wasn't sure if PerpLexxity was suggesting that method!
 
annar96 said:
I looked up mattress protectors and if they're made of polyester they are not at all absorbent!
I've just bought fleece but am put off by talk of shrinkage of sewn liners. Does anyone out there just lay fleece loose on top of an absorbent layer, like cotton towels or the like?
Click to expand...

I lay just fleece my fleece on top of an absorbent layer. It bunches up when they run about and I have to flatten it out occasionally. I use a mattress protector as my absorbent layer.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top