Switched back to shavings

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Lucille

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I like fleece but I think until I get a second washer will switch back to shavings. Despite vacuuming diligently there seems to be hair building up in my washer. It's a fairly pricey washer too, so do not want to clog it and ruin it.
 
You could try washing the fleece in a duvet cover or wash bag to contain the hay and hairs.
 
That's a good idea.
But since I have shavings, I'll go with them for a while. It is refreshing to be on a forum where fleece is not weighted because the business hosting the forum sells fleece. I feel as if I can try both, and go from one to the other.
 
I too went off fleece because of the build up of hair/hay etc in our washing machine. I now use a layer of Megazorb topped with hay. You probably won't be able to get Megazorb in the states but there should be a similar product sold there. It started off as an alternative bedding for horses & I wouldn't use anything else now.
 
I use sawdust still with one of my cages just because of the work that goes into maintaining a fleece cage etc. Sawdust lasts longer without needing to be changed but it does work out more expensive unfortunately.
 
How about just hay and newspaper? shavings are not good because they make the skin very dry and do not help if the pig has a fungal issue.
 
I have not experienced dry skin in my piggies and I've used shavings before, but will keep that in mind. Each substrate has its plusses and minuses, to me what is important is how those on this forum offer their experiences without saying that their way is the only way. I appreciate that.
I'm certainly keeping the many fleece pieces I have, and keeping an open mind, but will see how this goes.
 
Lucille said:
I like fleece but I think until I get a second washer will switch back to shavings. Despite vacuuming diligently there seems to be hair building up in my washer. It's a fairly pricey washer too, so do not want to clog it and ruin it.
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Hi,

I too gave fleece a go for a couple of months I've always been a shavings girl but the work was too much for me with fleece. I now use paper and hay as I went back to shavings and it made my guineas itch again. Trouble is wee soon goes through the paper and I seem to be cleaning every other day.

I just don't know what else to use really has anyone any suggestions. Carefresh is way too expensive.

I think you should use what you are comfy with.

S x
 
I noted in a thread a couple years ago that there are different qualities of shavings and I do believe that this makes a difference, Silly. I buy shavings that specifically advertise themselves as low dust, and I (and the piggies) don't have any problems whatsoever with them. Maybe you could try a different brand of shavings? The thing is, it isn't related to money- my shavings now are quite reasonable in cost. I just think that some companies are more quality oriented than others, just like with everything else I buy.
 
Hi

I have also stopped using fleece - keeping it clean and dry was just a nightmare along with the washing and drying of it. I didn't find it worked well at keeping them dry for more than 2 days.
 
you can buy wash bags aswell to put pet bedding in, which stops any bits getting into the washing machine. :)
 
I too have totally ditched fleece/vet bed for now if not for good after killing my washer. Fleece isnt necessarily cheaper than bedding I worked it out once and it for me was the same cost/more expensive (factoring in washing liquid, electricity etc) than baled horse bedding per week.
 
I use an old pillow case at the moment. Then I tie the top up with a hair band/elastic band. It does the job well although sometimes I have accidently overfilled the pillow case and it pops open and all the hair gets everywhere mallethead

And yeah, be sure to look out for low dust shavings. McMac lived on shavings before and was ok. But then my local shop changed their stock to really awful dusty stuff and it made McMac's eyes weep. Along with mine too! Was horrible stuff. So switched to fleece.
 
You have the same problem as me - I need to switch from fleece because it's killing my washing machine :( I haven't used anything other than fleece with my C&C and I'm slightly worried about how pricey it is going to be. Do you know how long a big bag of shavings will tend to last?
 
I use fleece for my guinea pigs and find that it is the best bedding I have had yet. The shavings that I got for my pigs were terribly dusty and really messy! I use a duvet cover to put the flrece in and then tie it up with a knot and put it in the washing machine - does the trick and never comes undone!
 
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