Hey there GuineaGang!
Welcome to an update on how to properly clean and maintain your piggies favorite upgraded guinea pig fleece! We get asked very often, “How do I wash my guinea pig fleece liner?”
Whether you are a new GuineaDad Liner user, or want to learn tips on a better maintenance routine for how to wash fleece, we suggest reading this guide to learn the guinea pig cage cleaning hacks! Proper cleaning ensures you (and your piggies!) will enjoy your liner for many years to come.
Don't feel like reading? Scroll to the bottom for the link to both YouTube video tutorials we have for washing your guinea pig fleece liner!
First, we are going to go over the very brief spot-cleaning method! It typically only takes a few minutes a day, but of course it’s very important! By spot cleaning your guinea pig cage each day, you can reduce the amount of mess that is in the cage during your actual cleanings, and it’s more comfortable for your guinea pigs to live in a clean cage.
And it’s safer for them too! Spot cleaning in itself is one of our guinea pig cage cleaning hacks!
Step #2: Make sure to shake out all the little pebbles from the pocket! There will be a lot- they love hiding in there because it’s comfortable for them, so they’ll also do their business there as well!
Option #1: You can clean by using a brush and dustpan. Be sure not to miss any hairs as well! If you’d like something a little faster, you can also use a small hand vacuum to quickly suck up all the poops and stray guinea pig hay.
Option #2: Take your liners and empty all the debris onto one liner. Then, fold up the liner with all of the mess, take it outside and shake it all out there! Make sure to flip the pockets to ensure you get everything out.
For those of you who do not have a backyard, try to hold the liner above the garbage can and slide down all the debris. Either tap the liner with your hand or use the brush to clean thoroughly.
Step #3: Put all the tunnels and toys back into your cage! That's it!
Our second cleaning method is about general cleaning that covers the basics, AKA, how to wash guinea pig fleece. This includes things like only using free and clear detergents, and recommended washer and dryer settings. Here are some helpful tips!
Tip #1: When washing your liner, flip the pocket inside out. This allows the machine to wash the dirtiest part- the burrowing pocket! Like we mentioned before, the pocket gets the most traffic since guinea pigs like to hide in the pocket.
Settings: Always use cold or warm water, medium spin, and heavy soil level. If available, use the extra spin and extra rinse options. We also use the "bedding" option on your washer; it helps to get all the urine out of your liner- ew!
It’s important that you try not to use too much heat when washing your guinea pig fleece because it can cause the liner to shrink, as well as affect the ability to absorb urine and the ability to dry quickly.
Do not fill either the detergent compartments to MAX. Follow the directions on the container for how much detergent to use! We also recommend using 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar. This acts as a natural fabric softener and will not damage your liner. It will also ensure that there is no odor left behind.
For the full range of our tips and tricks, or to watch these processes in action, check out our Youtube videos!
"How to Wash & Dry GuineaDad Liners"
https://youtu.be/aAJ5-FCPHwY
You can also read other blog posts to learn more about how to deep clean the GuineaDad Liners.
Still need a liner of your own? Order one of our fleece guinea pig cage liners today!
14 comments
Hello! I have guinea pigs yet everyone in my family except me is allergic to their hay. Can these liners be washed by hand? and if so what are the proper steps so I can ensure the liner is clean for my piggies?
Hi, is it safe to use 1/4 cup bleach with the wash cycle for the fleece liners?
Hello!
How often should I wash the GuineaDad liner?
Hello, I have been using Dawn dish detergent to wash the fleece bedding. Can I use it to wash the GuineaDad liner as well? Thanks.
Regarding the hand vac, won’t the poops get caught up in the vacuum brush especially if they’re newer or softer poops?