Can't use fleece anymore

[Hoggle*&*Ludo]

My BF emptied the washing machine before and called me to say if I carry on, the washing machine will break, he took out clumps of hay that got stuck in the drum. It is so hard to clear the fleece of it and I keep it neat in a rack but they drag it everywhere.

He suggested having just newspaper. Is this mean? I can't afford things like vet bed etc. Newspaper will look awful.

I was so happy with fleece too but I can't keeping risking the machine breaking.

 

[Nova]

You could try wrapping your fleece in an empty pillow case/duvet case- that way the hay will be all caught in the pillow case/duvet case- instead of inside your drum. That should hopefully save your washing machine.

 

[Vikx993]

Get an old duvet and put the fleece in there, then wash it in the fleece in there the hay and stuff will be in the old duvet thats what I do

 

[Char-x]

I had this problem to begin with but it was solved because I used to use a dust pan and brush to get off the majority of the hay and now use litter trays to keep the hay in. Some spills over but alot doesnt.

My mum then shakes them outside to get even more off and by the time they are in the washing machine there isnt much on that at all.

 

[BecklenGPRescue]

I Hoover the fleece while it's still in the cages then shake out outside before washing and I don't get much hay at all going through the machine

 

[skrikopanik]

use a washing bag or just a knotted up duvet cover. You can't stuff it full so might have to do another load, but it's worth it to be able to keep the fleece!

 

[Hoggle*&*Ludo]

Thank you for the tips, there is still hope then! ")

 

[Wiebke]

I always make sure to REALLY shake out the fleece in the bin outside and picking out any bigger pieces of hay that have stuck before putting the fleece in the mashine, so as little hay gets into the machine in the first place. Use an old duvet to wash the fleece in to catch the rest.

 

[Hoggle*&*Ludo]

Thank you.

I always shake their mess into the bin outside but it is so difficult to get the worst of it off without it blowing all over the garden! :o

I will use the duvet idea too.

 

[ollie]

i give my fleece a good shake & brush outside then in a pillow case & wash it does the job for me :p

 

[daleksarah]

I'm always blocking up the filter with hay maybe try emptying the filter after every piggy wash or hand wash and just use the machine to spin it afterwards

 

[nutmeg]

It helps as well if you wear rubber gloves to rub off the hay, the hay seems to cling to them, and rub off better. x

 

[flips]

I shake mine off outside then give them a hoover using the brush attachment on the hose; it gets most of the hay off and then I wash it in a duvet cover.

 

[threelittlepigs]

Wow! Lots of great tips, guys! I have a dedicated hay area in my cage and use trays that are supposed to be drawers in a children's storage unit from IKEA. I think it is called Trofast. The trays are £1.50 each and they are low enough for the piggies to jump in, but high enough for them not to drag the hay out when they get out. I used to use a vegetable rack lined with newspaper, but they kept dragging th hay out.

I read a tip somewhere that once a month you should run your washing machine on the hottest cycle with just a mug of white vinegar in it. This will stop any grease buildup and is important to do now we are all encouraged to wash at lower temperatures.