Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello again everyone. I have yet another question I'm trying to get clearified... What is the best cleaning solution for the reptile mats? You know, those fake grass, but not astro turf style mats. I need to clean it, and I have been reading about using one gallon of water mixed with a tablespoon of bleach. That seems a bit harsh though. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

~ShySymon

Don't know if this will answer your question, but here it goes. I don't have the grassy stuff, but I just cleaned my astroturf with mild handsoap and hot water; works great for me. How is the grassy stuff anyway? I've thought about buying it...

The soft, fake grass is pretty good stuff. It doesn't build up mold (I mist a lot because of where I live) and it doesn't smell funny. I switched from a moss type substrate after one month (the moss smelled weird). Plus, I think it looks better. My baby ball didn't know what to make of it when I first removed his old substrate and put this mat in, but he seems to love it now.

I think I will try some anti-bacterial hand soap and warm water. Thanks for the suggestion!

~ShySymon

Are you talking about the "cage carpets"? If so, I used to use those for my colubrids.

I would rinse them off outside with the jet setting on the garden hose (get all the poo off), then put them in a bucket with bleach for about 10 to 15 min. Then rinse them really good with the hose and let them air dry (air drying took all the bleach odor away and they were as good as new!).

They come two to a package so, keep one clean to change out! I tried the soap, didn't feel they got clean enough. Also, don't put them in the dryer...all this tan, gritty powder stuff comes off. I haven't used these for years, and I think there is still some of that gritty stuff in my dryer (made my wife mad!)
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Brian & Crissy Miller
BC Reptiles
Reptile Breeders and Outfitters
PO Box 1324
Princeton, TX 75407
469/688-3822
info@bcreptiles.net
www.bcreptiles.net