• Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

Swarfega For Bum Baths?

Status
Not open for further replies.
AbiS

AbiS

Adult Guinea Pig
Joined
Jul 20, 2013
Messages
3,706
Reaction score
3,967
Points
1,225
Location
Chester le Street, Durham
So I have been using Just for Boars for bum baths and it just isn't getting through Barney's greasy hair. So I know people have mentioned swarfega. I cant find this on the Gorgeous Guineas website. Then MrS said that he has a huge tub of it from a hardware shop in the garage that he uses on his hands occasionally. We did not know if this is the same stuff that you can use on piggies or if a different, gentler mixture exists for piggies.

Any opinions?
 
I wouldn't use swarfega on intimate piggy parts, it's got an abrasive additive to remove oil and grease from hands!
 
its just for on his grease gland. So if swarfega isn't the best (I only mention it because I know other people on here use it but I don't know if it is piggy specific) then what should I use to clean his grease gland because it really does look a bit manky - doesn't help that his bum is white.

I know about the abrasive in the swarfega - I used it once when we were renovating the house - bit harsh isn't it!
 
I use swarfega on the boys' grease glands (small red tub with green lid). Wet the area, rub a small amount of the green goo (yuck!) onto the gland, and keep rubbing for a few minutes - you'll feel the grease breaking down. Then well wash off with warm water. I've only used this on their glands though, never elsewhere
 
Jerrybelly said:
I use swarfega on the boys' grease glands (small red tub with green lid). Wet the area, rub a small amount of the green goo (yuck!) onto the glands, and keep rubbing for a few minutes - you'll feel the grease breaking down. Then well wash off with warm water. I've only used this on their glands though, never elsewhere
Click to expand...

Is it special piggy swarfega or just stuff you can get from diy shops?
 
Ahhh excellent - we have a 5L bottle in the garage - saves me buying some.

And don't worry - it is only for their grease glands - nowhere intimate!
 
You don't need to use much, so start off with a pea-sized amount per pig, and then use more if necessary. Well wash off afterwards. I've used it for years - works wonders on my messy boy, Frankie!
 
The tub we have here doesn't have any abrasive bits in it (actually just stuck my finger in the tub to check!) Maybe you have a slightly different version?
 
I got some from Amazon to use on Sophie's grease gland. It does not bother her at all.
 
AbiS said:
And he doesn't get distressed with the abrasive bits?
Click to expand...

Do you have the heavy duty one, by any chance? Black lid instead of green? Apparently it contains 'non-abrasive polygrains'. I would be inclined to avoid that one (unless anyone has any experience with it) as it may be significantly harsher on their skin.
 
Cool - thanks all - I will go to Halfords and get that one that you put the link on for. Won't risk using the other stuff. It is hard enough to get Barney to stand still as it is without effectively sandpapering him!
 
There are 2 types of Swarfega, one with grit & one smooth. It's best to use the smooth type. Apply it & rub it in before adding warm water as it starts to break the grease up before water is added. I wouldn't use it on intimate parts but is OK anywhere else. It's mainly used by motor mechanics etc to get oily hands cleaned. There's lots of other brands but Swarfega is the brand leader as Hoover is with vacuum cleaners.
 
Stewybus said:
There are 2 types of Swarfega, one with grit & one smooth. It's best to use the smooth type. Apply it & rub it in before adding warm water as it starts to break the grease up before water is added. I wouldn't use it on intimate parts but is OK anywhere else. It's mainly used by motor mechanics etc to get oily hands cleaned. There's lots of other brands but Swarfega is the brand leader as Hoover is with vacuum cleaners.
Click to expand...

excellent - thank you. I wouldn't have thought to put it on before the water!
 
I use swarfega too :D also handy for cleaning lino flooring when an uneutered male foster rabbit has sprayed all over it ... lifts the grease up perfectly :D
 
Just as an alternative idea, I use a little blob of washing up liquid (Ecover in our house) and that works on grease glands - same principle as swarfega ie to breakdown the grease. I rub in neat and then wash off with warm water.
 
gplearner said:
Just as an alternative idea, I use a little blob of washing up liquid (Ecover in our house) and that works on grease glands - same principle as swarfega ie to breakdown the grease. I rub in neat and then wash off with warm water.
Click to expand...

Oh blimey - why didn't I think of that! :mal:
 
gplearner said:
Yeah I think it takes a bit longer and more patience but gets them squeaky clean in the end!
Click to expand...

That might work with Toby but sadly when it comes to Barney I don't have time as he does not have patience! I ended up as wet as he was this morning because he decided midway that he wanted to sit on my shoulder which involved scrabbling up my body from the bench!
 
@AbiS I just used the red tub green lid Swarfega on Kasper and it worked fine. It isn't abrasive and I have even used it on my own eczema covered hands x
 
I use swarfega and also fairy liquid and they both do the trick on my stans awfully overactive grease gland. The trick is to rub it in a leave it a bit before you rinse i think. Good luck x ps i had to lol when you said you couldnt find it in gorgeous guineas sorrrrry :D
 
I have never considered using Swarfega on a guinea pig! but we do use it at the farm and it does not irritate my skin - and I have very sensitive skin.
 
My 5 boars all had a botty/grease gland wash at the weekend & swarfega is great for breaking down the little blobs of goo that gets stuck on their fur. After rinsing the swarfega off I then used Gorgeous Guineas manuka & neem shampoo to give them a good wash.

I used my son's tub of swarfega but had to get him a new one as I got loads of guinea hair in it! I found a tub in one of the pound shops.
 
They sell it in supermarkets I couldnt find it hut after I got some from b&q I found it in morridons. They have it in section where they have all the car bits instead of in handwash section where I was looking :mal:
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top