Vinegar and Water

[gumdropyo]

When cleaning a cage, is there a certain ratio of vinegar to water to use when cleaning so it won't be harmful for the chins?

 

[AZChins]

You can use straight vinegar. I put white vinegar in a spray bottle and use it that way to make it simpler. You can put the vinegar right in the pan to clean off any mineral deposits. Just rinse it really well...the only thing that can be icky about the vinegar is the smell if you don't get all the vinegar off.

 

[tunes]

It wouldn't be harmful to the chins if you used straight white vinegar, as long as you rinsed it. A lot of people use white vinegar and peroxide, rather than water, but either/or works.

If I want to fill a bucket, I usually do a cup of white vinegar to a gallon of water.

 

[gumdropyo]

Oh, okay! Thanks a lot! I just wanted to make sure so my babies wouldn't get sick.

 

[Ilovemychin]

I usually use a ratio of 1 part vinegar 2 parts water

 

[yummychinchillatoys.com]

I HATE the smell of Vinegar so I use 1/2 and 1/2... Vinegar with water...

 

[gumdropyo]

Do you guys also use vinegar to clean wooden ledges or does it absorb it too much? If not, what do you use to clean the ledges?

 

[yummychinchillatoys.com]

I use Hydrogen Peroxide on my wood ledges... I poor it on the spots that they pee on, let it sit for a few seconds so it foams and wipe it off really good... It works great for taking the stains out of wood... and the smell...

 

[Spoof]

I've been using leftover apple cider vinegar from my horse instead of white the last few months. I don't recommend it because they like the taste, the shelves I've wiped down with it have been almost completely devoured. They'll even lick the bars as I'm wiping them down.

So back to white for me once this runs out. I use both at full strength, either pour it on or soak a paper towel.

 

[AZChins]

Tara...that is funny, a little weird, but funny!

 

[gumdropyo]

Haha, I can just imagine them chasing you down as you clean their cage! That's too cute.

 

[Sandi]

Yuck, I hated the taste of apple cider vinegar when I was dieting! But that was funny, Tara. I also use the white vinegar mixed with a little water in the washing machine.

 

[queen]

What about mixing 1 part dettol liquid and 4 parts water? When buying a new or a used cage how about disinfecting it with liquid dettol? Also (with the chin out) use it every other month to keep the cage really clean? Is it safe?

 

[aznmexaggie]

Personally, I would not use Dettol for regular maintenance cleaning of my chins' cages. Vinegar and water is much safer...

 

[AZChins]

Isn't Dettol poisonous to humans? I thought there was something about it causing problems with people and animals...

 

[aznmexaggie]

There was a story of a man who died from either ingesting or inhaling Dettol. Dettol has strong phenolic oils just like Lysol and Pine-sol... if used at all, I would use the same precautions I would with bleach. Keep chins away from it, use it in a well-ventilated area, rinse extremely well, and dry outside in the sun. I don't know if I would even use it though.

 

[queen]

Poisonous? Really? OK vinegar and water it is!!

 

[ProudChinOwner]

I have a question about this too, you know if you are cleaning the cage with this solution i.e. wood do you have to wait for it to dry before putting the chins back in? I'd imagine you would, but does it not take ages for it to dry?

 

[gumdropyo]

I use Hydrogen Peroxide on my wood ledges... I poor it on the spots that they pee on, let it sit for a few seconds so it foams and wipe it off really good... It works great for taking the stains out of wood... and the smell...

I tried that and left the hydrogen peroxide on for about 30 seconds and it didn't foam at all... Does that mean my peroxide is too old? :err: It has been sitting in my cabinet for quite a long time (I can't even remember how many years). I guess it's time to get a new bottle.

 

[aznmexaggie]

I tried that and left the hydrogen peroxide on for about 30 seconds and it didn't foam at all... Does that mean my peroxide is too old? :err: It has been sitting in my cabinet for quite a long time (I can't even remember how many years). I guess it's time to get a new bottle.

Well, hydrogen peroxide does decompose and turn into water... lol
2 H2O2 --> 2 H2O +O2
Two hydrogen peroxide molecules decompose to two water molecules and oxygen gas