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Post by kainslie on Nov 9, 2010 13:46:36 GMT -5
To wash their beddings what do you guys use? Vinegar?
also is vinegar a fabric softener? I remember hearing that somewhere but i'm not really sure..
Also - How do you get ferret hair out of the washing machine...? I washed the bedding alst night and then spent about 15 mins scraping up Sly's hair... I eventually just ran the cycle again but I don't want to waste water.
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Post by AnimalFarm2006 on Nov 9, 2010 15:04:36 GMT -5
I use baking soda, and than wipe up the hair with a towel. The best thing to do is to just shake the bedding out outside before hand. Just cover your nose..XD
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Post by kainslie on Nov 9, 2010 15:18:06 GMT -5
Hah! good idea! I'll have to do that next time!
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Post by luci on Nov 9, 2010 16:05:26 GMT -5
Yes vinegar does act as a fabric softener, but I don't remember why.
And shaking the bedding out first is a good idea. And/or use one of those lint brushes or tape rollers if the fur is really embedded in there. Then wipe out the machine if there's still fur left in there.
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Post by rarnold18 on Nov 9, 2010 17:08:16 GMT -5
Shake it! Just make sure that your not down wind from the item your shaking or you'll be covered in fur! ( I learned that the hard way when I was shaking out the dogs comforter and they dig so it was both sand and fur...I was a mess!) As for the vinegar I think it does something to the PH of the water...
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Post by 3kaw on Nov 9, 2010 18:51:11 GMT -5
NOw i could be wrong, but i think the stiffness can come from a build up of soap in the material as it does not all get washed out. Vinegar does not stay behind and can help rinse out old left behind soap. At least thats how my aunt explained it. She has tons of allergies and only uses vinegar in her wash, including washing anything new before wearing.
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Post by sherrylynne on Nov 9, 2010 23:39:57 GMT -5
I use baking soda in the wash cycle, and vinegar in the rinse. I've not had TOO much problems with static. However, I do have to wipe down the inside of the washer after the ferret bedding is done
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Post by fertsru on Nov 11, 2010 0:28:37 GMT -5
What's wrong with using detergent and rinse with the fabric softner?
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Post by rarnold18 on Nov 11, 2010 2:59:35 GMT -5
I don't know... I make my own detergent and don't use fabric softner because my DH's illness makes him have uber sensitive skin and I haven't found a detergent in the stores that doesn't drive is skin crazy, even the "free and clear" and "sensitive skin" types are too harsh for him... and because I make my own there's just no sense in buying one just to wash Fuzz bedding in... As for fabric softner I do know that after awhile it coats the fibers of the items washed making them less able to absorb water, like bath and kitchen towels or in my case cloth diapers (you kinda want those to absorb liquids!) As a personal choice I've tried to eliminate un-necessary chemicals from our home and clean with more natural (and a times way cheaper) alternitives....
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Post by katt on Nov 11, 2010 19:18:17 GMT -5
Hmmm maybe because I only have 1, but I have never had the fur issue. I do find clean bone or jerky bits in the washer afterwards though, and once found a nice cooked jerky chunk in the dryer. And this is AFTER shaking out the bedding. Luckily it didn't make anything smell bad!
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Post by sherrylynne on Nov 12, 2010 10:48:04 GMT -5
What's wrong with using detergent and rinse with the fabric softner? Sometimes the odour is too strong for them, causing some respiratory problems. Some detergents/softeners contain essential oils, very bad for carnivores. Long term use can lead to organ failure. Some, it gives very itchy skin to. And others, it doesn't seem to bother.
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Post by mommaferret on Nov 13, 2010 1:08:06 GMT -5
To wash their beddings what do you guys use? Vinegar? also is vinegar a fabric softener? I remember hearing that somewhere but i'm not really sure.. Also - How do you get ferret hair out of the washing machine...? I washed the bedding alst night and then spent about 15 mins scraping up Sly's hair... I eventually just ran the cycle again but I don't want to waste water. I use White Vinegar in the wash- it helps to loosen the hair from materials- I wash with Tide - cold water and rinse with Snuggle Fab softner.. Then wipe the washer out in case any left behind. :-)
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xeopse
Cageless and Roamin' Free
Raw Feeder
Posts: 235
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Post by xeopse on Nov 18, 2010 16:46:19 GMT -5
I use vinegar as a softener replacement, but I didn't know about the baking soda to replace detergent. So how much do you put in for a full load? A cup? And where can you get really gigantic containers of baking soda - I have 5 ferrets and go through laundry like CRAZY, plus I use a little for their litter box too.
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Post by sherrylynne on Nov 18, 2010 17:30:55 GMT -5
I use about 1 cup per load, and do 3 loads per week, or thereabouts. I can buy the larger boxes of baking soda at the bulk stores.
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Post by lessthansign3 on Nov 20, 2010 0:50:52 GMT -5
Oh, ferrets don't shed nearly as bad as guinea pigs. The piggy laundry is the WORST! And the smelliest is the hedgehog laundry, because he's impossible to litter train so I have to change his fleece every two or three days. He mostly poops on his wheel, which he then runs on, so I have to bathe him all the time because it gets stuck on his silly little feets! I usually just buy whatever the cheapest phosphate-free detergent is available. So far, I haven't had any problems. I don't use fabric softener - I was buying little dryer sheets for the human laundry, but I keep forgetting to buy more. I may have to try the vinegar and baking soda, though. Seriously, vinegar, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide seem to cover all of my cleaning needs when it comes to critter clean up! It seems like I learn new ways every day to make those three safe, dirt-cheap items make things squeaky clean again around here.
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