Chin Chillers

[Kaiya]

Hi guys! Yes, another question. Sorry if it's annoying to y'all, but you reply sooo fast with good info! I can't help myself!!

SO, I have chin chillers that get used a lot. My chinnes love them! My question is how do you clean them? Right now I'm just scrubbing the crap out of them with cage cleaner, but that doesn't seem to work. It gets them clean in terms of getting poo off, but they STINK really bad. I store them in a drawer next to my chin cage when they are not in use. I have 4 of them, and when you open the drawer you have to hold your breath. It's awful.... Is there anything better I can do or should I just toss them?

Also, so I don't have to make a different thread. Is cage cleaner safe for ledges? I was unsure because they are wood. How do you guys keep them clean?

My chins and sense of smell thank you!

 

[Marie5656]

Are you talking abou the marble/granite slabs? I just clean Trixie's with water and white vinegar. I wipe down her ledges with a damp cloth with a vinegar water mix.

 

[Stackie]

Soak them in some water and vinegar, scrub, rinse, and the smell should be gone.

Not all cage cleaners are safe. What is the name of the cleaner? I would be hesitant about using it on wood since wood is porous. Chins chew shelves and it could soak into the wood.

If my shelves have pee stains on them I spray them with peroxide, let it sit for a minute, then scrub it and wipe it down with a wet cloth. For just general cleaning, I just wipe it off with water/vinegar mixture.

 

[Kaiya]

Soak them in some water and vinegar, scrub, rinse, and the smell should be gone.

Not all cage cleaners are safe. What is the name of the cleaner? I would be hesitant about using it on wood since wood is porous. Chins chew shelves and it could soak into the wood.

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753346

That is the cleaner I use. It's just called Cage Clean by SuperPet. Yeah, that's why I haven't used it on my shelves.

Thanks for the fast replies!

 

[fanofdmb84]

I fill the kitchen sink half way with hot water, a few drops of bleach, and about a cup of white vinegar and soak my granite tiles (chin chillers) for about an hour. Rinse them really good, set them outside to dry in the sun if possible, and then I'll throw them in the fridge or freezer for a while before putting them back in the cages. I leave mine in the cages all the time. For shelves, normally I just wipe them down with a washcloth dipped in water/vinegar, but when I "deep clean," I power wash them along with the cage and let it all sit in the sun to dry.

 

[mishellyshel]

i actually didnt know they would be able to absorb any odor. i thought the marble was non pourous. i will have to do a soak of everything and see if it makes a difference. i wipe mine down every single night but maybe that isnt enough. thanks!

 

[jamanalo]

I used to throw mine in the dishwasher, cycle it with no soap, or cycle it in steam if it has that setting. If you dont have a dishwasher, try letting them soak in some type of basin with water and vinegar like everyone has suggested.

 

[Ash]

The chin chillers aren't made of marble, it's a type of granite, I believe. Also, I think marble is porous to an extent, but I could be wrong.

 

[fanofdmb84]

Yes, chinchillers are made of granite. Granite is somewhat porous, but not as porous as marble.

 

[Kaiya]

thanks guys for your replies! I went out and bought from white vinegar. Now I'm curious as to how much I should use? I don't want to use too much or too little.

 

[chinnychinchinchilla]

i think its something like half water and half vinigar. vinegar is safe for chinchillas so dont worry about getting it perfect, just make sure u rinse or wipe it off before u give it to ur chinchillas

 

[fanofdmb84]

It's hard to overdo vinegar, I just pour a few *glug-glugs* into the sink...I buy a few gallons of vinegar every time I'm at the store, it's great for the laundry too!

 

[SmileX3]

Are Marble tiles found in your local flooring section like at Menard's or Lowe's ok to use?

 

[Kaiya]

Thanks for the replies! They came out better then I expected! Not only were they stink-free, they look brand new!!!

 

[Kaiya]

Are Marble tiles found in your local flooring section like at Menard's or Lowe's ok to use?

I'm not sure, but I believe they are made out of granite not marble, I got mine at PetSmart for like $8.

 

[GorillaJTA]

Are Marble tiles found in your local flooring section like at Menard's or Lowe's ok to use?

I bought a box of the 12" granite tile at lowes for about $25. It is cheaper than the chinchillers (where about 6 bucks of the tile cost is just the name). I have several of them in different areas of the cage, and use them mainly to hold the fleece down. Just make sure you get the stone that does not have the threaded/glued backing on it. I make sure to get the polished ones that are not so porous and rugged.

The chinchiller is just a pretty granite stone.