Gonna give fleece another chance

Ruth1

Ruth1

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I’ve ordered some Zorb and some anti pill fleece. Any thoughts or experience or general knowledge is very welcome…

I’m thinking that I don’t want to bother with waterproof backing as I’ve read that it can be smellier. Went for Zorb after much YouTubing and Googling and someone somewhere said they use anti pill fleece because it lasts longer!

I just don’t think I could keep up to the expense of Carefresh in the long term.

Any thoughts welcome - everyone else I know just thinks I’m loopy for keeping guineapigs in a big pen in my kitchen, let alone making them a nice cozy fleecy carpet 🤣🤣
 
I would do a zorb sandwich. So fleece, zorb, fleece. You can clip excess fleece to the grids so they don’t burrow underneath it. Yes, I’m looking at you Chanel. And you 🌈 Coco!

Have a second set so you change and wash. I had to try it a second time before discovering it worked for me.
 
Yes I don’t think I have it a proper chance first time round. Second time lucky! You like it then ?

Burrow you say?
 
Yes I liked it. Mine now live outside so are on disposable. But it worked out for me when I tried it again. Towards the end, I was also using bath mats on top. I used to change them every 2-3 days and the fleece actually seemed to last a couple days longer.

The girls liked to burrow under the fleece 🙄 so I clipped it to the grids to block all access. I don’t think they were happy with me 😂
 
Oh....going in the sewer? My pigs try that from time to time. Not amused!

Anyway, Ive only ever used fleece. I have old towels under a fleece blanket, with some "zorb sandwich" squares for the corners. They do have PUL waterproof backing but I don't think it's necessary.

Just add vinegar to the wash, and use only a VERY SMALL amount of detergent. 1/4 the normal amount or less. This is very important for the liquid passing through property, as well as smell.

Good luck!

ps You do need to wash and dry the fleece fabric several (like 5 minimum) times before using. It's all worth it. I'm still using all my original fleece from over 3 years ago!
 
I'm actually just trying fleece right now too... not sure Leela is liking it, although Tomie seems to be. I tried it once before and didn't stick to it, but this is an actual fleece pad rather than fleece on towels like I tried next time, so we'll see!
 
I’ve been using the fleece blankets I bought from QD 6.5 years ago and they are still as good as new. My absorbent layer probably would benefit from replacing, it’s discoloured and a bit stiff but she is 8 now and…. Well… I don’t think it would be value for money (if you get my drift)

I don’t have anything on the bottom, I just give the correx base a really good wash when I change.

Mine are dreadful burrowers. When Timmy was alive Jenny would pull the fleece and he would slip into the gap she made and then she could slide in behind. I have to have a large enough piece of fleece for it to be pinned well to the cage. Now she is on her own it’s less of an issue as there’s no one to egg her on but she can sense if I might have mislaid a pin and she is in like a shot. She just sits in a puddle eating the correx walls.
 
Happy sewing!
I made our fleece liners, exactly as Siikibam described, fleece, zorb, fleece. like a sandwich.
I personally wouldnt make fleece pads any bigger than 2grids by 3 grids, as otherwise its tricky to wash. I also use plenty of small pads in favourite spots, and houses so they can be swapped out more often during the week, and a full change of everything about once a week.
I personally don’t like waterproof backing, I have one second hand fleece thats got a waterproof layer, and I only use it in the playpen in an open space, where its less likely to get pee on.

I would recommend a pet washing bag for the washing machine.
 
Loopy to have pigs in the kitchen...?
who's there.webp cushion George 2.webpgrassy munch.webp
I measured up for 3 different sizes which are used in different bits. The biggest in picture 3 can be washed alone or with a few other bits in my machine.
I prewashed the zorb on a gentle wash in the machine as it will shrink slightly because of the natural fibre content and construction method. Over many months it has shrunk a bit more making the big fleeces baggier but they're still fine. The fleece doesn't really shrink but I did prewash that before construction too.
Louise is peeping out of a 'bedroom' area and I still use back-2-nature and hay in these or they end up very soggy overnight! I made 2 sets.

I tried a wash bag but I find it better to give the dirty ones a hard brush with a rubber-bristled brush (no static) then a good shake out the back, then wash (on 40 but don't pack in too tight), then line dry. After the fleeces are washed I then wipe the worst hair out of the machine and put it on a rinse cycle empty. Then the first wash after is always towels as they effectively take out the last of the hair. Mine is a washer/dryer so every 6 weeks or so I drain the machine and clean the filter at the bottom anyway for the fluffy build-up that can stop it working so any residual piggy-ness is cleared out here 😉

The only disaster was when in the early days I did a wool wash straight after the fleece wash. One lovely M&S jumper covered in hair. I should have kept it just to clean out the drum - which was spotless!
 
I use fleece and a zorb layer. I have lots of pee pads too. As Scooter pie says only use a small amount of washing liquid ….I made the mistake of using normal amount and it stunk !! Took an extra 3 washes to get rid of the smell ! All ok now and I always use white distilled vinegar as ‘conditioner’
It’s much cheaper in the long run Ruth1 - have fun
 
We have a guide to fleece bedding here:
A Detailed Guide For Fleece Bedding

Personally the fleece - zorb - fleece sandwich combo has always been my personal favourite.
If you make your own liners (which is pretty simple) then I like to use a different colour fleece fro the top and bottom, so I can flip them over and have 2 different looks, but that might be just me!
 
I use GuineaDad fleece liners. They're pricy, but SO WORTH IT! My piggies love the built-in hidey pocket, especially Clover. :D She's always been the burrower!
I have three of them, I switch them out every ten days! Day ten they're only slightly damp!
 
That’s all great info and encouragement folks thanks! I MAY think about having their bedrooms with a litter tray, Carefresh and hay and the rest of the pen with fleece - would there be any merit in this. The pee is mostly in the bedrooms - see picture - oh my goodness they love their bedrooms 🥰
 

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I love Carefresh, but I refuse to ever use it again because of the price lol. Too many appropriate "other options" out there that don't cost half an island.

I've never done a full fleece cage. Okay I know mine's on the larger side but even when I bought new liners I refused to buy enough to fill the whole cage, I'd rather have a space for dumping hay/nuggets/veggies on. And that space gets filled with whatever wood shavings/paper bedding I happen to have in the house. Much less kerfuffle when the fleece is heading for the washing machine that way.
 
Lorcan said:
I love Carefresh, but I refuse to ever use it again because of the price lol. Too many appropriate "other options" out there that don't cost half an island.

I've never done a full fleece cage. Okay I know mine's on the larger side but even when I bought new liners I refused to buy enough to fill the whole cage, I'd rather have a space for dumping hay/nuggets/veggies on. And that space gets filled with whatever wood shavings/paper bedding I happen to have in the house. Much less kerfuffle when the fleece is heading for the washing machine that way.
Click to expand...
I remember we discussed Carefresh and I just wanted to try it. I do like it, but reality has just kicked in for the price! You have a large scale operation going on there tho! 🤣🤣
 
Honestly even if the cage were half its size I'd say the same - always give yourself an area, if you can, with some sort of paper bedding or wood shavings. Aside from feeding and hay, they'll poop where they eat, and it's much easier to scoop up poop in paper bedding than it is when it's on various bits of fleece.
 
We have fleece in most areas but use disposable paper bedding in the Hay Room under the hay.
I really love fleece but it needs a good shake then brush down with a rubber curry comb before going in the washing machine to get the fur and hay off, then the machine needs a rinse cycle and paper towel wipe afterwards!
 
PigglePuggle said:
We have fleece in most areas but use disposable paper bedding in the Hay Room under the hay.
I really love fleece but it needs a good shake then brush down with a rubber curry comb before going in the washing machine to get the fur and hay off, then the machine needs a rinse cycle and paper towel wipe afterwards!
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Piggies! Let no one say they are easy to keep! 🤣. It’s a good job they are worth the effort!
 
Lorcan said:
Honestly even if the cage were half its size I'd say the same - always give yourself an area, if you can, with some sort of paper bedding or wood shavings. Aside from feeding and hay, they'll poop where they eat, and it's much easier to scoop up poop in paper bedding than it is when it's on various bits of fleece.
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Aye - think I’ll try the Carefresh in bedrooms only. It would last ages then.
 
PigglePuggle said:
We have fleece in most areas but use disposable paper bedding in the Hay Room under the hay.
I really love fleece but it needs a good shake then brush down with a rubber curry comb before going in the washing machine to get the fur and hay off, then the machine needs a rinse cycle and paper towel wipe afterwards!
Click to expand...

I have a dustpan and brush where the dustpan gets used as a bedding scoop upstairs and the brush is used to brush out the fleece downstairs. Who needs a dustpan and brush combo anyway, right? :))
 
Lorcan said:
I have a dustpan and brush where the dustpan gets used as a bedding scoop upstairs and the brush is used to brush out the fleece downstairs. Who needs a dustpan and brush combo anyway, right? :))
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That's one way to save money on a separate scoop and brush 🤣🤣🤣🤣
 
Lorcan said:
You'd be amazed at what items can be repurposed for different household tasks, lol.
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Don't I know it! Don't laugh, I used a toothbrush to scrub all the dust off the baseboards in my house, lol. I never again used that one toothbrush to brush my teeth, you can be sure! (Okay, fine, laugh :)) )
 
PigglePuggle said:
We have fleece in most areas but use disposable paper bedding in the Hay Room under the hay.
I really love fleece but it needs a good shake then brush down with a rubber curry comb before going in the washing machine to get the fur and hay off, then the machine needs a rinse cycle and paper towel wipe afterwards!
Click to expand...
I’ve never felt the need to rinse after or wipe out. I do use a horse bag though.
 
I I don't think fleece would ever work for me, but I hope it works for you.
Living in an appartment in the city, I always struggle to get the hair and hay off the pee pads and the fleece. The constant washing and the spot cleaning and switching the pee pads twice a day just drive me crazy. :mal:
But I'm sure it also depends on the number of piggies.
 
Viennese Furbabies said:
I I don't think fleece would ever work for me, but I hope it works for you.
Living in an appartment in the city, I always struggle to get the hair and hay off the pee pads and the fleece. The constant washing and the spot cleaning and switching the pee pads twice a day just drive me crazy. :mal:
But I'm sure it also depends on the number of piggies.
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Well - the jury is out for me, but I really want to give it a good try. Yes - I have a garden and I’m still wondering where to shake out! I think maybe out the front on the driveway at the front of the house - not so I can clean it up easier, but so I can ignore it and don’t have to look at it 🤣🤣
 
I gave it a good try last summer (and of course every time there is a medical reason), but I'm always really happy when I can go back to my usual bedding.
Luckily the piggies really like the usual bedding. Or I would be in trouble. :cool:
 
Ruth1 said:
Well - the jury is out for me, but I really want to give it a good try. Yes - I have a garden and I’m still wondering where to shake out! I think maybe out the front on the driveway at the front of the house - not so I can clean it up easier, but so I can ignore it and don’t have to look at it 🤣🤣
Click to expand...
I just get a garbage bag and empty the soiled hay and poop into there. Every garbage day I toss the bag into the big trash can. It's worked well for me :nod:
 
Ruth1 said:
Well - the jury is out for me, but I really want to give it a good try. Yes - I have a garden and I’m still wondering where to shake out! I think maybe out the front on the driveway at the front of the house - not so I can clean it up easier, but so I can ignore it and don’t have to look at it 🤣🤣
Click to expand...
Umm…. So depending on the weather (how lazy I feel!)depends on where I shake out fleece- usually just on the lawn or patio outside the back door. It gets swept when I think it’s looking bad.

( I do clean the fleece off first before shaking outside.)
 
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