washing liquid for fleece?

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lovelygirl

lovelygirl

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Hi

i was wondering if guinea pigs skin is so sensitive and i want to use fleece bedding and bed, do i need to use non-bio washing liquid? or something like ecover? would not want to make them itchy....

many thanks, Eleanor?/:{
 
It generally does not make a difference, since the detergent is rinsed out so thoroughly in a washing machine. You can use whatever you normally use, provided it doesn't leave a very strong scent when the washing is rinsed and dry.
 
i use non-bio as bf has sensitive skin and can tell if i buy the wrong stuff as he itchs all over and comes out in a rash and i end up having to rewash all the clothes again, do not want my new piggies to be itchy and uncomfortable
 
When my piggies had mites and were itchy I swapped to Asda Non Bio powder just to be sure I was doing everything I could to help soothe the itching. I use it to wash the fleece and towels that I use in their cage and it gets the stuff clean without leaving a false smell on them.
PS: I agree, no fabric softener
 
i washing just washing the fleece like towels without softner on a 30 or 40 C wash with bog standard tesco non bio
 
That's what I do! Same detergent, same temperature (30 degrees). Does the job just fine.

Fabric softener puts a bearing on the fleece and towels, making them less absorbant (or in the case of fleece, it prevents the moisture wicking through the material effectively).
 
When I use Vetbed I use a biological powder, because it's the only thing I can find to get it clean. But I'd recommend 2 rinses in the washing machine if you can, just to be sure.
 
why no softener for fleece? I put some on mine the first time I washed them (fleece pieces, not pigs) to make them fluffier. is that wrong?
 
MrsM said:
why no softener for fleece? I put some on mine the first time I washed them (fleece pieces, not pigs) to make them fluffier. is that wrong?
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Fabric condtioner puts a film on the fleece making less absorbant. Its true! I only know from snowboarding, they tell you not use any fabric con on clothes etc because the moisture/sweat cant diffuse. As for fleece it will have the same affect making it less absorbant.
 
My sister told me last week that me washing piggies stuff on 40 with non bio is really bad as doesn't kill the germs from the wee / poo etc.. she said you should either use bio or put up to 60 like they advise with baby stuff which has been wee'd or sicked on. I can't decide which to choose as 60 may strink items and bio may be itchy :(
 
Briony_Y said:
My sister told me last week that me washing piggies stuff on 40 with non bio is really bad as doesn't kill the germs from the wee / poo etc.. she said you should either use bio or put up to 60 like they advise with baby stuff which has been wee'd or sicked on. I can't decide which to choose as 60 may strink items and bio may be itchy :(
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That's exactly why I use Petlife Vetbed if I use any fleece, as it can be washed at a high temperature (90 degrees!) without problems. I personally think all animal stuff should be washed at at least 60 degrees, but I am particularly careful, since I've had a lot of infectious diseases with my animals in the last few years.
 
well lets just say I'm rather confused,i use a good brand washing liquid but would not have a clue as to whats bio and whats not i wash my fleece on 30 i find 40 slightly shrinks them
 
Hmm now feeling a tad confused.... :( maybe if i soak them for a few hours in Biological and then wash in non-bio, don't want to be disinfecting the cage to reintroduce the bugs with the "clean" bedding, hmm it is definitely something to think about as keeping them on fleece is great for my allergies :)
 
Lisajazz said:
I use Daz - so far so good. No softner though.
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Same here. Daz works a treat.

I'm allergic to most washing powders but Daz isn't one of them. Daz has a nice smell but it's not very strong once rinsed and dried and so far, I've had no problems with itchy piggies.
 
Bonnie - biological washing powders contain enzymes to break down dirt more effectively, and it is usually the biological products that are fragranced. Non-biological products don't contain these enzymes and tend to be unfragranced.

Briony - if you are worried about that, then wash as normal (30-40 degrees with non bio) most of the time, but do a wash with bio once or twice a month. It is fine to use bio all the time if you wish, but non-bio is still very effective. I would not put regular polar/anti-pill fleece through a wash hotter than 50 degrees, but I do like to spin the towels through on 60 degrees once a month - given that the towels absorb all the pee!
 
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