Hello! I am due my first lot of Baby Ratties this weekend. I had lots as a Child and I have some very fond memories but I am struggling to remember the cleaning regime....
Lots of people have mentioned they wash their hammocks/blankets and things. What do you wash them in? I know rats are so sensitive and I don't want to upset them or cause any havock to their respiratory systems..
Would you also wash things like fabric ropes as well?
How do I wash hammocks/soft items
Re: How do I wash hammocks/soft items
I just use our normal washing powder. It's a mildly frangranced bio powder, nothing special. If I had a rat that seemed to react to it (e.g. they sneeze a lot in bed only), then obviously I would change, but realistically, whatever fragrance is in the washing powder is probably much less of an irritant than fermenting rat urine, which the hammocks would otherwise smell of.Aalice wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 9:46 pmLots of people have mentioned they wash their hammocks/blankets and things. What do you wash them in? I know rats are so sensitive and I don't want to upset them or cause any havock to their respiratory systems..
Would you also wash things like fabric ropes as well?

I do also wash ropes, though I'm a bit more careful with those just because it's easy to overload the washing machine if you have a lot of ropes. Also if they have any metal attachments or anything like that, you might need to evaluate if they're safe in a washing machine (e.g. likelihood of cracking or snagging on something).
I recommend using a horse wash bag though; keeps the fluff and detritus inside the bag and stops it clogging up the machine. Even though I manually remove as much of it as I can before washing hammocks, there's always some left.
Poo-shoveller to: Calyn (NLA32); Zephyr Nyahir; Zephyr Zymandis; Zephyr Blasto.
Fondly remembering: Zephyr Mick Jagger "Edgeworth"; Din (NLA28); Zephyr Donovan "Phoenix"; Xeltan; Lita (NLA32); Lia (NLA28); Zephyr Delanynder (NLA28); Falere (NLA36); Mirala (NLA36); Zephyr Opold; Rila.
Fondly remembering: Zephyr Mick Jagger "Edgeworth"; Din (NLA28); Zephyr Donovan "Phoenix"; Xeltan; Lita (NLA32); Lia (NLA28); Zephyr Delanynder (NLA28); Falere (NLA36); Mirala (NLA36); Zephyr Opold; Rila.
Re: How do I wash hammocks/soft items
Thankyou so much!
I don't suppose I could boggle your brain about cleaning the cage itself. I really want to stay as far away from harsh chemicals as I can.
I have seen a few things about white wine vinegar and water 1:1 ratio. Does that sound sufficient?
I don't suppose I could boggle your brain about cleaning the cage itself. I really want to stay as far away from harsh chemicals as I can.
I have seen a few things about white wine vinegar and water 1:1 ratio. Does that sound sufficient?
Re: How do I wash hammocks/soft items
I've also heard of people using vinegar but I've never tried it myself. I clean the bathroom mirror with vinegar and the bathroom always reeks of vinegar for a few hours afterwards; I wouldn't fancy dousing an entire cage in it. I use baby wipes; most of the time all you need is something damp with a bit of surfactant action. You could probably actually just use microfibre cloths and warm water, if you don't mind the extra laundry.
Poo-shoveller to: Calyn (NLA32); Zephyr Nyahir; Zephyr Zymandis; Zephyr Blasto.
Fondly remembering: Zephyr Mick Jagger "Edgeworth"; Din (NLA28); Zephyr Donovan "Phoenix"; Xeltan; Lita (NLA32); Lia (NLA28); Zephyr Delanynder (NLA28); Falere (NLA36); Mirala (NLA36); Zephyr Opold; Rila.
Fondly remembering: Zephyr Mick Jagger "Edgeworth"; Din (NLA28); Zephyr Donovan "Phoenix"; Xeltan; Lita (NLA32); Lia (NLA28); Zephyr Delanynder (NLA28); Falere (NLA36); Mirala (NLA36); Zephyr Opold; Rila.
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Re: How do I wash hammocks/soft items
I use fairy washing up liquid for the cage and accessories.
Re: How do I wash hammocks/soft items
I was considering this. I wasn't sure if it'd be too harsh. I guess if I rinse well it'll be fine..
Re: How do I wash hammocks/soft items
Ah yeah, I use washing up liquid for cleaning toys and things. I figure if it can be used to wash dishes that human babies are going to lick, it's fine.cyber ratty wrote: ↑Fri Jul 10, 2020 11:06 amI use fairy washing up liquid for the cage and accessories.
Poo-shoveller to: Calyn (NLA32); Zephyr Nyahir; Zephyr Zymandis; Zephyr Blasto.
Fondly remembering: Zephyr Mick Jagger "Edgeworth"; Din (NLA28); Zephyr Donovan "Phoenix"; Xeltan; Lita (NLA32); Lia (NLA28); Zephyr Delanynder (NLA28); Falere (NLA36); Mirala (NLA36); Zephyr Opold; Rila.
Fondly remembering: Zephyr Mick Jagger "Edgeworth"; Din (NLA28); Zephyr Donovan "Phoenix"; Xeltan; Lita (NLA32); Lia (NLA28); Zephyr Delanynder (NLA28); Falere (NLA36); Mirala (NLA36); Zephyr Opold; Rila.