How to use FLEECE for GUINEA PIGS | how fleece bedding works, how to use it properly, & pros & cons
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 ม.ค. 2021
- In today's video, we are taking a look at how to use fleece bedding for guinea pigs - covering all the basics: how fleece bedding for guinea pigs works, how to use fleece properly, and the pros and cons of using fleece bedding for your guinea pigs!
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As someone who is looking into fleece, this was so helpful! Thank you so so so much 🥰
Glad I could help! 😊
I switched to fleece years ago and never looked back. I make my own. It's way cheaper than buying paper bedding week after week, cages are easier to clean, and the piggies seem way more comfy on the soft fabrics.
Yes! I love fleece, I make all my own too.
As someone getting ready to adopt her first piggies ever, I think this is the best video I've seen on TH-cam about Fleece. The Pros and Cons are very honest and detailed. Thank you so much!
Same
I'm a new owner and never would have guessed this thanks so much for helping my lil guy and I
You are the only person who has said the info about wicking. I appreciate it! I was wondering why it was getting icky faster
Yes, wicking is so important! I'll be doing a whole series in July or August about making fleece from start to finish, step by step in 5 videos. Including detail on prepping it for use!
@@TheTinyHerd if I purchased my fleece from a Guinea Pig specific store, do I still need to wash the fleece in hot water multiple times before it wicks?
Love how detailed your videos are! Thanks for sharing the knowledge!
This is such a great video!! Very important for people to know! 💗
Thanks! I tried to make it informative!
Thankfully found this video! Been under the guise of just fleece but now I am off to get better liners!
It makes all the difference!
Awesome video!!! Exactly what I needed. Thank you for the useful information.
I'm glad you found it helpful!
Thanks for this video. I’m a new subscriber. I just adopted my first guinea pig today so I’m taking in all I can so I can take good care of him.
That sounds great! Thanks for watching!
Your a fleece genius!!! Ur giving me confidence to get my 1st piggy!
Make sure to get two, they do better in pairs! 😊 thanks for watching!
Wow! This was the BEST video! You have so many tips, and I learned something new! Thank you for sharing. New subscriber 🥰
Thank you so much, I'm glad you found it helpful! 😊
Thank you so much for making this video! It really helped me to prepare myself for that commitment. Currently really considering fleece liners. We use carefresh bedding and my guinea pigs kick the bedding everywhere when they popcorn, it makes such a mess and I have to sweep everyday.
I'm glad you found it helpful! Liners/fleece have saved me so much money too lol
Great video. Prepping to adopt our first Guinea’s and considering fleece. Think we will make our own liners with fleece. And mini ones too. Great idea. Thanks
Thank you so much, this helped a lot!!!❤
Amazing information!! I order all my fleece off Etsy!
I've ordered a couple things off etsy! There are some amazing shops!
Thank u I have just gone on to Etsy and found some amazing things.
Thank you so much! I am about to get a couple piggies as my last 2 rats finally passed on. I wanted to put my rats on fleece but never even tried it as I new what the result would be (them tearing it to shreds like they did their hammocks). Glad to have all of this info!!!
I'm glad you found it helpful!
Omg I literally just got some propper fleece this is sooo helpful
Thats awesome!
Thank you this is a really helpful video
I was wanting to start my own guinea pig liner business or a little side hustle on esty and i never knew it was so easy i feel so educated by your video!! Thank you for breaking everything down i love this new follow🥰❤️ I also have piggies and i cant wait to make them this!!
Glad you found it helpful! I'm actually starting a more in depth series on how to make liners in August! If you're wanting to start a liner business, I'd do some practice liners and do some etsy research first! There are quite a few people who sell fleece and they aren't quite as easy as they sound lol
Very good video, very informative and great presentation.
Thanks!
Thanks for the video, I was thinking about switching my pigs over to fleece. And after this video, I think I will. It just seems cheaper and better in the long run. Thanks.
I'm definetly making my own (geting two piggies soon😊). I just went on facebook marketplace and asked if anyone had fleece blankets they were looking to get rid of. A lady gave me a full garbage bag of fleece for free. Just gotta wash it and sew it. Thinking of doing the same to get a hold of more old towels👍
That was so helpful thank you!
Glad it helped! I'll be doing a series on how to make liners starting August 3rd! 😊
We use the uhaul moving blankets sewn in between 2 pieces of fleece... Works great!
I actually just posted the last video in a series showing how to make cage liners today! They're my favorite option.
I am new to the community can you tell me how many times you had to wash your fleece
Such a big help!!!
Glad it was, thanks for watching! 😊
Glad it was, thanks for watching! 😊
Thank you!
Hope it was helpful!
Thank you for such a thorough tutorial on fleece. I have a question about washing the fleece to prepare it for wicking. When washing it 3-4 times to prep the fleece, should I be drying the fleece in between washes?
Nope! I don't dry my fleece hardly at all because it can remove the wicking properties in some dryers. I don't even let it dry between, I just keep running it through!
Great video! While wicking your fleece do you also put it in the dryer? Or do you hang dry it?
I personally don't put my fleece in the dryer at all unless it's on no heat. It shrinks it and can remove the wicking properties.
This helped me a lot so I don’t have to keep using bedding when I have to clean
That's great! I'll be doing a series in August on how to make your own liners!
Great video. Thank you so much for sharing this information. I came across this video in an article looking for information on fleece bedding, so I’m not familiar with your channel. I will do a search on your channel here shortly, but curious if you have done or would be willing to do a video how you make your liners.
I suppose I ask the question a little too quickly, I found a video how to make the fleece liners right away! Thank you again for all this great information.
I have a whole series and an ebook on making liners 😁
The most important thing I ever learned about fleece was that it needs to be wicked. I could have caused my piggies SERIOUS harm.
Yes it makes all the difference!
Hello, thank you for this video. I was wondering where did you get that cute castle hidey?
The pink and white castle? My dad actually built it!
@@TheTinyHerd yeah. That is awesome. It looks adorable.
Have the thick shower curtain under a washable bed pads then fleece cover for main floor of my guinea pig cage. To save on washing i have smaller washable pads under more fleece where he poops and pee. I would try oxy clean free and clear if you can find it. Helps with stains.
Thank you!!
Hello, do you have to prep the u-haul pads too like the fleece?
Nope! I prep it all at once once the liners are made. But the uhual won't wick since it's supposed to absorb.
Where do you recommend getting the fleece part? I was thinking of making my own with towels, but I don’t know where I should buy the fleece.
I usually buy mine at Joanns or another fabric store. I'll be doing an entire 5 part series on making fleece in August!
Okay Thx!
Do you know the temperature of the water to wash? Like 60 C could be ok? Do you have any particular brand of washing machine soap that you recomend? I’m about to get a cage and hopefully two piggies so I’m watching a lot of videos to learn. If the fleece is properly prepared , you post clean and you use the smaller pads: does it stay smell free for a week? Or at the end of the week do you smell that it needs changing?
I use the hot setting on my washer. Not sure what actual temperature it is. Any free and clear detergent is fine!
Just found this video ugh amazing I am trying to find my piggy a new cage which one do you have I have just one in a starter cage and we don’t like it I want something new and different for her.
My cages are all diy c&c cages!
Can I use any fleece or do I have to use the one specifically made for guinea pigs ? I don’t know if there is a difference
I use anti pill or blizzard fleece! You just have to make sure you have the absorbent layer and have it prepped properly to wick.
Hello from Holland, is there a video how you make your fleece liners? What do you use in between of under your fleece?
Yes, I have a whole series on my channel!
When you say spot clean what exactly do you mean? Sweeping up or physically scrubbing?
Sweeping up poops and replacing smaller pads that get wet with dry ones!
Am I able to just use fleece liners with absorbent layers? or do i need like towels under the fleece cage liner or should i get separate fleece blankets on top of the cage liner?
I totally felt that when you said it adds up, up front. I just spent like 400 on fleece cage liners. (i know). but i was thinking i can have one on hand per cage given i have four midwest cages. ughh. i also bought a zipper bag to wash the liners through the washer. on another note, i was doing some research not to wash it with hot water because it can get ruin aborbent layer. idk the internet says a lot of different things.
Fleece liners have the absorbent layer sew inside, so you don't need to use another absorbent layer with it! I just use smaller pads in high traffic areas. The liners you bought will last you years so they're worth it! I've never had any issues washing my liners on hot and I've had all mine for 5+ years. Idk how they would get clean in cold to be honest! I just don't run them through heat in the dryer.
THANK YOU!
Oh gosh I had fleece 10 years ago, so it's probably been around even longer than that :)
I've just got two baby girls and never had piggies before. I'm using towels & floor mats + bedding straw. I hose them down as I'm on tank water (free) then toss them in the wash (yes power is free too, well when the sun is out). During the day I've been letting the girls out in the outside cage to graze. We up upgrading to a big girls cage C&C 2x5 and thinking of fleece but its so expensive yet seems easier to manage in a big cage. Looks like I'll have to be careful of what I buy as I only have cold water for the washer as its tank water.
In the long run, fleece will be cheaper than filling an entire cage with bedding every week. Some people do wash their fleece in cold water, I just prefer hot so it gets extra clean. You might have to order liners that are already wicked though, as you need hot water to get fleece to wick.
What is the sweeper you used in this video to spot clean with?
You mean the dustpan and scoop? It's just a broom dustpan and a cat litter box scoop from Amazon!
What do you suggest to use for the ones that fleece may not be ideal?
Paper based bedding like carefresh or small pet select!
Is it ok to buy cage liners and put fleece over it too? I like the liners but they come in boring colours on Amazon
Yes! You can also order custom liners off Etsy.
Where did you get that cage liner that white thingy you put down. Before your fleece
The bottom of my cages? They're c&c cages made from cubes and coroplast. I have a video showing me putting them together!
If I use puppy pads how do I keep my piggies from burrowing under the blanket? I’ve only used fleece twice which was when I put them in their play pen to clean their paper bedding (I want to look into fleece because I feel like using paper bedding in a cnc cage is difficult to empty out)
I own 4 guinea pigs and a big problem of mine is the smell. If I use fleece will it change that? I also have a few more questions about the fleece (sorry). When you said to clean the fleece everyday do you mean wash it or just brush off? And if it's ok, is one layer of pads and then fleece above that okay? Im thinking of switching to fleece from the guinea pig bedding and I just don't want to make any mistakes.
You just have to spot clean every day, I have a few videos on my channel showing how I spot clean. You can use one absorbent layer and fleece over top, it just depends on what you use as to how effective it would be.
Wow. I feel like a dummy aha, I’ve been using fleece. Just fleece with no lining. It makes so much more sense that you would have it layered with something. Wish I would’ve known that sooner but I guess late is better than never.
Haha you'll probably notice it staying much cleaner now!
@@TheTinyHerd I hope so! Excited to try it out
this is off topic but in the video you have water on the ground is it for the Guinea pigs? or for the rabbit? I thought about using it for my Guinea pigs what do you think is it a bad idea?
It's for the bunnies. You could use something similar for guinea pigs but I'd use something smaller. This one would be hard for a guinea pig to reach easily
When you say spot cleaning does that include somehow wiping away the leftover pee residue that passes through? Or just the poo
Spot cleaning on a daily basis is sweeping up hay and poops. You shouldn't have pee passing through on a daily basis if you have a good absorbent layer. I use smaller pads in high traffic areas to change out when they get wet if needed.
Hey so if I was going to get washable puppy pads I would put the puppy pads down then the fleece or could I just use the pads?
You’d want prepped fleece over it, otherwise they would basically just have wet blankets all the time
@@TheTinyHerd alright thank you for the fast response. Great video btw keep it up!
Hello my question is what is your opinion about Guinea dad liners?
I have one and use it sometimes, they work fine! The only thing I don't like about them is the waterproof side, I just prefer my liners to not have that. And the layers aren't held together at all except for the edge, which sometimes makes them lay weird. But if you don't want to order custom liners or you don't sew. They're a great option! They worl the same.
Mmmm I don’t know if I am understanding, do I have to run the washer machine three times to keep the fleece liners clean, is it ok to soak them first?
You don’t have to wash them that many times to get them clean, just to wick them the first time. You can also look up the dish soap and vinegar method of wicking too, which is faster I’ve heard.
I have a question so I am about to get my three piggies from a local shelter and I don’t know how to sew I’m willing to learn but at the moment I don’t have enough time and fleece liners on Amazon are quite expensive, so what should I do??
You can just buy some thin fleece blankets from CVS, Amazon or Walmart with an absorbent layer such as towels, uhaul pads, or pee pads underneath. Make sure you only have the first layer of thin fleece and then the absorbent layer :)
Yep, exactly what Piggie Time said! I use to put down a layer of towels and then just a fleece blanket from Walmart before I started making liners!
Do you spot clean morning and then at night? X
I only spot clean in the evenings. Some people do morning and evenings
Hi what is the best option for absorbent layer and good absorbent layers?
I usually use uhaul furniture pads. You can also use towels or crib mattress pads. Pretty much anything super absorbent. I'll be doing a whole series on how to make fleece liners in August!
@@TheTinyHerd thankyouuuuu looking forward for that video 🐥❤️
I have our cage lined with fleece and underneath the fleece a mattress protector. But only after a few hours it begins to stink sooo bad. What are we doing wrong?
Is the mattress protector absorbent? The layer underneath needs to be super absorbent. And did you prep your fleece to wick? Other than that, maybe try smaller pads in high traffic areas. I've never had a big issue with smell so I'm not sure.
Hello! Correct me if I'm wrong. I need to wash the fleece every day? Or just sweep it up and change the Pipi pad every day? I have 2 boy guinea pigs for about 2 months so I'm still learning. Well they're my son's but he thought me into getting one and I fell in love w it so I got another one 😁 we have them somewhere in living room. We are now using paper bedding and I do put a layer under (Pee P pad) but I don't like the smell of the paper bedding once they start peeing specially having them in the leaving room. Thank you for your time making all these videos and hope to hear from you soon. 🙏
Just sweep up poops every day and change out smaller pads when they get wet! Change and wash liners once a week.
@@TheTinyHerd Got it. I will definitely start looking into fleece today. Thank you so much for replying 💕
@@juliah_0084 I have several videos showing how I spot clean! I'll be doing a series in August about how to make liners also, and I do custom orders for fleece sets!
@@TheTinyHerd That's awesome! Looking forward to getting some of your cute liners! Can't go wrong w those I'm sure. Their's so many out there that I don't even know what to get so it'll be great to see what you have ☺💕
@@TheTinyHerd where can take a look at the liners?
what if the fleece I buy is absorbent, would I still need double layers? (Like Guineadad liners)
GuineaDad liners are already made liners that have the absorbent layer inside.
@@TheTinyHerd oh ok! Thank you
Costco has a box of XL puppy pads,100 pads for $15/16. I have to use for my senior dog so it works out
If it's disposable be really careful they can't get to it.
Can you explain spot cleaning? Is that just picking up the poops? My guinea pig pees literally everywhere all over the cage not just in one area. So I'd have to change the entire liner daily?
I have a bunch of spot cleaning videos on my channel! Sweeping up the poops and changing any wet spots. Most people who use fleece use small pads under hay and in high traffic areas so you don't have to change the entire liner more than like once a week.
I used puppy pads under fleece until my pigs began lifting up the fleece and chewing on the puppy pads. Any idea if chewing through the pads is dangerous for the pets? Thanks!
I probably would switch to towels or something they'd be less likely to chew. Puppy pads are usually plastic which isn't great for them to ingest.
Do put them in the dryer after washing in 4 times?
I don’t dry them when I’m doing the wicking process, just hang to dry
Has washing with hot water caused any shrinkage in your fleece items? What other means have you used to disinfect fleece items? Have you heard of Lysol’s Free & Clear Laundry Sanitizer? It uses primarily ammonium chloride to disinfect, which I’ve heard mixed thoughts on.
I make all my fleece liners a bit large to allow for some shrinkage. You can stretch things back out a bit as well. If I need to get fleece extra clean I add white vinegar to the load. It's totally safe and is a really good cleaning solution.
@@TheTinyHerd I’ve read white vinegar is great at cleaning, but not so effective at disinfecting. My pigs are recovering from a bacterial URI and I want to make sure all of their fleece items are disinfected and ready to use again. Is it necessary to disinfect after something like this, or is washing good enough?
I like to spot clean everyday, and completely clean my piggies cage evey couple of days. The longest would be every third day.
That's a great schedule!
This may be a silly question.. the U Haul blanket looks like thick felt. Are you using only the inside of the moving blanket?
I just sew the uhual pads inside my liners. I use them the way they come and just cut them to size. The moving blankets are different I think, for liners the furniture pads are used.
@@TheTinyHerd Thank you! My local U-Haul had the furniture pads. You're using a single layer of the pad? The directions on your videos are very well done. I'll be watching your all tutorials/vlogs from now on. I'm hooked!
@@Lisa-gw6ph yes I just use a single layer! Some people use two, but I find it makes the liners too heavy and hard to use.
How do you get all the hay off? Mine feels like it’s sticking and so hard to get off.
Higher quality hay and higher quality fleece are easier to clean off. Spot cleaning often helps too.
Im going to be adopting my first piggie in 2 weeks I’ve done a lot of research but I still have a question that google won’t answer so my question to you is Do I need to get the specific “Guinea pig cage fleece liner “ or could I just get a fleece liner throw from Walmart and put pee pads underneath ?
Hi, I have an article on my website about fleece! www.thetinyherd.com/how-to-use-fleece-as-bedding-for-guinea-pigs/
For the laundry soap could we use Baby detergent?
Probably, as long as it's unscented!
Not sure where your from but if in the US. All free clear and oxy clean free clear (stains) if vinegar doesn't work.
Have you ever had an issue with getting your washer clogged from like the hair?
Nope, I've found higher quality fleece is a lot easier to clean and doesn't hold on to hair as much.
How do you stop your guinea pig from pulling up the fleece mine pull it up all the time from the corners and they try to go to the bathroom underneath the fleece and I don’t know what to do.
I use liners instead of just pieces of fleece, they are heavier. Some people use binder clips to clip it to the sides of the coroplast. Or you can use heavy items in the corners to try and keep them down.
Hello my name is Rhonda how many times do we have to the Pari fleets I have washed my fleeces over four to five times and the water seems to be sitting on top or do I have to wait till it is completely dry Airdrie
Try adding some dawn dish soap and white vinegar to your load! It seems to wick faster. And make sure your water is hot!
@@TheTinyHerd ok
Hi, The Tiny Herd! I am a guinea pig owner, and I have a couple of questions. I have two guinea pigs. So I have a 5x2 C&C cage.Thats big enough, right? I have a tunnel, and two hideouts. That enough? They have 3 chews, which I switch out weekly. That okay? They have a food/hay dispenser, and two water bottles. They also have a litter pan. I use fleece, and spot clean everyday and full clean once a week. That good? I hold them nightly, for about 30 minutes, and give them floor time every so often. They have hay 24/7 and feed twoce a day, 1/5 a cup per time. I would also like tips on how to keep my room smelling better, so any tips?
2x5 is great for two piggies! Chews don't matter much, some pigs ignore them completely. Hay is more important for their teeth than anything. As long as each one has a hidey you should be good there. They probably don't need that much in pellets, an 1/8 cup per pig is recommended. That sounds like a good cleaning schedule. That's similar to what I do. I don't really have issues with my room smelling. Is your fleece properly wicked and have an absorbent layer?
@@TheTinyHerd Yes, I have pads from amazon, and it is wicked, I am pretty sure. I just figured out that it might smell more because I live in Az, and its REALLY hot in my room. And yes, another person told me that about the pellets, so thanks!
@@madisonhousden2794 make sure when you put liquid on it that the liquid goes right through. That'll tell you if it's wicked. And maybe yes the heat has something to do with it! If it's too hot, make sure your piggies don't overheat. They do best below 75.
@@TheTinyHerd Okay. My room is usally about 75-77 F
I do the borax soak twice a week on all the bedding
Is borax safe to use for pets? I don't know anything about it. That's good you've found a routine that works for you!
Could the cheap fleece blankets at Walmart work for this?
Or does it need to be specifically the yards of fabric
You can try them, as long as they will wick! I've just found the higher quality fleece lasts longer and works a bit better.
I need desperate help. I looked into fleece for my 2 girls and thought it would be better than the bedding I currently have. Anyways, I got blizzard & anti-pill fleece from Joann’s, when I got it I poured a bit of water on the fleece and it seemed to absorb surprisingly well. I thought it would only take a few washes to wick. Nope. Every time I washed it got less and less absorbent. ( I didn’t use softener or dryer sheets. ) I used Wegmans brand free and clear detergent, and hot water. It’s been about 7-8 washes, no progress. I’ve tried almost everything. Air drying, no heat setting on the dryer, hot water, warm water, Dawn dish soap, white vinegar, detergent, and still, nothing has changed. If there is anything else that might help please let me know because I’ve been very frustrated and I really want to use fleece! ( sorry for long comment! )
I have been using the dawn and dish soap method and it wicks for me within 2 washes with Joann fleece. Do normal detergent, a cup of white vinegar and a tiny bit of dawn dish soap all in one load, with hot water. And then hang to dry. It should decent wick after that. Sometimes it takes a few uses and washes for mine to wick 100%, but as long as it absorbs it’ll be fine for your pigs. And fleece usually absorbs better when it’s sitting flat with an absorbent layer underneath to help pull the liquid through. Hope this helps!
How often do you have to dry/ get the properties of the fleece ?
Just the first time before you use the fleece! After that, mine keep the wicking properties since I don't put them in the dryer.
@@TheTinyHerd thank you! Another issue is that I’m actually trying to convince my mom to get me some since I don’t really have the money, but she keeps refusing since she thinks the liner under the fleece will smell horrid and that it’ll be soaked in urine and stuff.. she doesn’t want me to touch it and wash it and stuff. What should I say?
@@rosalie4209 if you change it on a regular basis, it's less messy than like paper based bedding. Also way way cheaper since you just wash and use it over again!
i am really late but oh well lol, so basically i decided to move my 4 female guinea pigs into a c&c cage like yours but the thing is i dont have that type of money for fleece. Am i able to use like blankets or anything and then but puppy pads under ? because i do have a few blankets where liquid just leaks through down onto the layer under neath it, so can i use that? Second thing,what type of cheap toys do u recomend for guinea pigs ? Because mi e quite like willow sticks and just like plain wood type toys, But they are quite hard to find in pets ta home since alll they have is colord toys that is not natural dye and im not to sure where to find them. Thank you so much for taking your time reading this xx
You can get fleece pretty cheap from Walmart or a fabric store, and then once it's prepped put puppy pads or towels underneath. As for toys, I usually get them on Etsy. They don't really NEED chew toys though as long as they have enough hay
@@TheTinyHerd they always have a large supply of hay to last them and I spot clean everyday but the thing is I'm not in the USA I'm in the UK and in my area we don't have a Walmart so basically all I need is like any fleece blanket and prep it then put puppy pads and towels down then I'm pretty much good to go ?
Hello! Is minky fleece ok? Thanks
I haven't really been able to get minky fleece to wick. If you can get it to wick its fine.
I used to have piggies when I was younger. I always used Aspen bedding. Recently I got piggies again and I stumbled on the fleece thing online and I am curious because it seems to be a cost effective and easy to clean option. I am wondering why people use fleece as a top layer tho? fleece is a chemical fabric. Don’t the piggies get too hot in summer by sitting on fleece? Wouldn’t be a breathable natural fabric like cotton or bamboo be better? Can anybody please point out the reason for fleece? Thx ☺️ 🙏
This video somewhat explains it! Fleece doesn't absorb so it allows the liquid to pass through to an absorbent layer below. It's soft for the piggies but doesn't have them sitting on wet fabric like they would with cotton. I've never had issues with my pigs overheating either.
@@TheTinyHerd Okay, thank you for confirming. Just couldn’t imagine fleece would stay drier than other fabrics. But if you say so I will try!
@Tsukimi Tube you have to prep it correctly and use it correctly with an absorbent layer! It has to be prepped to wick before it can be put in the cage. People have been using fleece for 10+ years now so it's pretty common 😊
Would waterproof fleece blanket worked too?would I need to wash it couple of times for pee to get through it?Thank you
If it's waterproof it's not going to work because the liquid would just sit on top of it. Anti pill or blizzard fleece work best and they have to be wicked - either through multiple washes or using the dish soap method.
@@TheTinyHerd what is the dish soap method ??
@@arianamartinez9222 you basically use a small amount of dish soap and white vinegar when you wash the fleece.
@@TheTinyHerd thank you so much 😊 i just got new guinea pigs and i’m trying to give them the very best
Are you talking about vet bed material?
Where do u get the small pads?
I make all my fleece, but you can find fleece on etsy!
@@TheTinyHerd what size fleece would fit a 2 by 4 cc cage?
I have heard that the fleece liners start to smell bad and make all your clothes smell bad is that true and if it is do you need to clean them often
If you spot clean and wash your liners on a regular basis, I haven't had an issue with them smelling bad. Adding a cup of vinegar to the wash helps too. I don't ever wash my liners with my clothes, there would be hair everywhere. You would do a separate load with your pet laundry.
What I do is before I wash guinea pig liners I do a basket clean before and after. Sometimes I'll use a product you can add to basket clean to sanitize it. Eg tide one wash miracle free and clear if plan clean it before washing pet bedding if been using softener. After i use Lemi Shine washing machine cleaner to get rid of the smell. Smells like lemons.
how do you spot clean?
Sweep up all the poops and mess and change any wet pads. I have videos showing my cleaning process!
Okay I just got a free guinea pig from somebody who didn't want it and this is my first guinea pig and it has a small cage. So if I want to create something bigger but I don't want to spend a lot of money or take up a whole room what can I do what can I use?
You can build a c&c cage. You can get coroplast at the hardware store and grids on Amazon. Minimum size for one piggie is 2x3 grids (or 42in x 28in).
I use fleece for my guinea pigs
What do you do for your piggies for bedding if you have to leave for a few days at a time?
Depending on how long, I'll leave them on fleece for a few days or just use paper based bedding if it's for a week or more.
Summary:
layer towel under fleece
wash fleece 3 times in hot water before use so that it wicks liquid
have to spot clean your cages everyday
use no scent detergent and white vinegar when cleaning fleece
don't put it in the dryer
Cons:
- expensive up front
- spot clean everyday
- washing fleece adds to water bill
Pros:
- reusable
- you can make your own liners easily
- easier clean up
- it's cute !!
For me I prefer wood bedding over Fleece I'm more lazy and I hate doing laundry with wood bedding I only have to worry about cleaning their cage out once a week and it's cheaper as I only need to buy one big bag. Though the cons are it's more messier and it takes way longer to clean
Yeah there's definitely pros and cons of each! I will sometimes use other types of bedding if we go on vacation and we have a pet sitter. Whatever works best for you is your best bet!
What can you use if your choosing not to use fleece?
Paper based bedding and Aspen shavings are the most common safe options
@@TheTinyHerd Tysm!
are store bought fleece blankets fine even if they are cheaper? i’m looking for a cheaper alternative i can use puppy pads under as well
Yes, you just have to make sure they are wicked and use an absorbent layer underneath (like puppy pads)!
I used to use fleece and puppy pads for my Guinea pigs but 2 years ago I found reusable puppy whelping pads on Amazon and quit using fleece and puppy pads all together best decision I ever made don’t have to layer anything its an all in one just wash and dry it
Yep, that's why I use liners, it's more convenient!
how often do you find the whelping pads need to be changed? every few days?
@@lyddiecatt I clean off their poos daily but I wash and change the whelping pad every Friday so once a week If you are thinking about using them make sure you get at least 2 whelping pads and make you measure for the right size
@@icyrosequeen2161 thank you!! :)
@@lyddiecatt your welcome they are definitely a game changer
wouldn't the hot water shrink the fleeces?
It really shrinks the uhaul a little not the fleece itself, but this is why you always want liners slightly larger than your cage. You can also easily stretch liners back out a bit, I do it every time I put them in my cages. You have to use hot water to wick your fleece, it won't do anything if you use cold.
@@TheTinyHerd do you have any liner stores that you would recommend for me to get for my two girls?
How many layers of absorbing layer?
Depends on what it is and how absorbent you want it to be! Less absorbent means it'll need changed more often.
@@TheTinyHerd thank you I’m using uhaul for the absorbent layered do you think one layer is enough to last a week? I have 2 girls
I usually only use one layer, but I use smaller pads in high traffic areas. I also recently realized uhaul pads are different than they used to be. I'm experimenting with one vs two. I'm starting a new series on making liners this week.
@@TheTinyHerd i used to have two layers but it just seems so thick and was really hard to sew on a Machine! Can’t wait to see the video! Oh no they changed them!
Hi :)
Hi!
@@TheTinyHerd hii!! :D 💜
I love that you say hi on all my videos 😁
i’ve been using cold water!
no wonder it wasn’t wicking 😂
I did that when I first started making fleece! Washed it like 10 times with no luck 😁 hot water removes whatever coating the fleece has so the liquid can go through!
Me too! And was putting it in the dryer after every wash 🤦♂️