Cleaning Up An Old Hutch

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MollyB

MollyB

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Hi All!

I've purchased a used hutch; the wood is still sturdy, but there's some urine staining around the wood on the bottom of the 2 levels. What's the best way to disinfect, and neutralise the scenting on the wood?
I've seen some people use vinegar, bleach, disinfectant, but I'd really like to know what's worked for you in the past. It had a rabbit in previously, so the more I can cover/remove the scent the better!

I'm also not afraid of some sanding or diy fixer-uppery :D

Thank you all in advance! :) <3
 
I've seen F10 disinfectant mentioned, and Virkon S tablets; can I find these on the High Street, or is there something else you'd recommend? :) (Directed at anyone reading :P)
 
F10 is available online, we get ours from ukparrots or something like that....
 
MollyB said:
Thank you!
Would it be okay to use on wood d'you think?

There'd be at least days, possibly a week, before any piggies would go into the hutch too, if that helps?
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I don't know that I'm afraid.....
 
BossHogg said:
I haven't I'm afraid, I just used your average hutch disinfectant and a scrubbing brush, then hosed it out and left it dry. ;)
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jayne said:
You could try a lemon or anything with an acid thing in like vingar to take the smell away and then sand area ! Hope this helps . Good luck.
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Thank you @BossHogg & @jayne ! I was wondering if there was a way to clean it thoroughly without ordering f10. I'll price it up properly and have a think.
Whatever's gonna protect the piggies! I'm really paranoid it's gonna stress them out or make them poorly if I'm not thorough enough! :S
 
BossHogg said:
A good quality hutch disinfectant will do, I get mine from Wilkos for £2.50, you don't have to spend a fortune. Any nasties in the hutch will be sorted with a good diluted bleach solution and a liberal application of disinfectant. ;)

Wilko Hutch and Cage Disinfectant Cleaner 300ml
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Thank you so much! I may pop out tomorrow to get that! :D
Thank you for all your advice! :D <3
 
In general bacteria and most nasties are actually pretty feeble and can't live for long in dry environments (like hard floors or wooden hutches).
For example salmonella can live a maximum of 4 hours away from moisture and warmth.
I would give the whole thing a thorough soaking with a vinegar and water spray (here we get 'putzessig', which literally means astringent cleaning vinegar, but not sure about in the UK).
Leave it to soak into the wood for a few hours or overnight.
Then turn on the garden hose and wash, wash, wash.

Leave the whole thing to dry thoroughly and it should be absolutely fine to house your piggies in.

You could sand the stained areas, but what doesn't come off with the cleaning process certainly won't do any harm.
Plus chances are high you own piggies will add their special mark too!
When mine were in a wooden hutch I covered the main pee areas with thick, sticky back plastic (the type used for covering books.
It lasted several months, and then the pigs moved into different accommodation.
I know otehrs have used lino tiles or vinyl floor covering with success though.
 
Swissgreys said:
In general bacteria and most nasties are actually pretty feeble and can't live for long in dry environments (like hard floors or wooden hutches).
For example salmonella can live a maximum of 4 hours away from moisture and warmth.
I would give the whole thing a thorough soaking with a vinegar and water spray (here we get 'putzessig', which literally means astringent cleaning vinegar, but not sure about in the UK).
Leave it to soak into the wood for a few hours or overnight.
Then turn on the garden hose and wash, wash, wash.

Leave the whole thing to dry thoroughly and it should be absolutely fine to house your piggies in.

You could sand the stained areas, but what doesn't come off with the cleaning process certainly won't do any harm.
Plus chances are high you own piggies will add their special mark too!
When mine were in a wooden hutch I covered the main pee areas with thick, sticky back plastic (the type used for covering books.
It lasted several months, and then the pigs moved into different accommodation.
I know otehrs have used lino tiles or vinyl floor covering with success though.
Click to expand...
Thank you @Swissgreys ! I really appreciate that information, its really reassuring!
I don't have a garden hose, would a good rinse with a sponge work? :P
I'll make sure it's kept in a sunny spot while drying too :)
 
I have used Dettol in the past watered down with boiling water and liberally applied, then used white vinegar to get the pee stains off. It does smell for a bit but the smell does not stay permanently in the wood I just left it to air for the night. The next day I used small animal safe cage cleaner and a scrubbing brush to make sure no nasty chemical's left on the wood.

I have found with using vinegar the smell is there for a bit but is neutralised if you then use small animal disinfectant to clean the vinegar off.
 
Hank288 said:
I have used Dettol in the past watered down with boiling water and liberally applied, then used white vinegar to get the pee stains off. It does smell for a bit but the smell does not stay permanently in the wood I just left it to air for the night. The next day I used small animal safe cage cleaner and a scrubbing brush to make sure no nasty chemical's left on the wood.

I have found with using vinegar the smell is there for a bit but is neutralised if you then use small animal disinfectant to clean the vinegar off.
Click to expand...
Thank you @Swissgreys & @Hank288 ! I've got a 'small animal safe' cage cleaner spray already, so I could possibly use that too? I'll get my cleaning plan together tomorrow and share it with you guys. Hopefully it'll sound okay :)
Thanks again! You've all been amazing! :D <3
 
A bit late to this one, but I agree with what the others have said.

Scrub everything out really, really thoroughly and then leave to air and sun dry completely.

The only time I've used F10 on a hutch was when I had Mr Telford had a fungal outbreak.

Good luck with the cleaning. :)
 
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