How to Disinfect Reptile Cages Using Bleach

A poorly sanitized cage can cause harm to your reptile̵7;s health and has the possibility of even killing it. Skin and bacterial infections are common among reptiles and the only way to prevent your reptile from getting an infection is by keeping its cage clean and disinfected. Bleach is a common household product that can be used to thoroughly clean a reptile's cage by killing all the bacteria living in the cage as well as removing any and all stains in it.

Things You'll Need

  • Bleach
  • Bucket
  • Sponge
  • Pot
  • 2 oven sheet pans
  • Steel-wool pad
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove your reptile and its food from the cage and place it in a box or any holding area. Place the reptile in a separate room from the one you will be cleaning in. Reptiles do not handle toxic fumes very well.

    • 2

      Fill a bucket with one part bleach and 32 parts water.

    • 3

      Clean the rocks and branches from the cage using the solution and a sponge. Scrub the rocks until you remove all the debris from them and place them in a pot. Scrub the branches until you remove all debris from them and place them on an oven sheet pan.

    • 4

      Fill the pot with water and place it on a burner set on high. Allow the water to boil for 30 minutes to disinfect the rocks. Set the rocks on a dry towel and allow them to air dry. Place the oven sheet pan in an oven set for 250 degrees for 30 minutes to disinfect and dry the branches fully. Remove the branches from the oven and set them aside.

    • 5

      Rinse the sand from the cage to remove all debris and particles and shift it onto an oven sheet pan. Place the sand in an oven set for 250 degrees for 30 minutes to disinfect it.

    • 6

      Clean the cage using a sponge and bleach solution. Scrub the inside and outside of the cage, getting into the corners as best as possible. Scrub stains with a steel-wool pad if necessary. Allow the solution to sit for a minimum of 10 minutes. Rinse the cage thoroughly with warm water to make sure the bleach solution is fully removed. Any leftover residue could be potentially harmful to your reptile.

    • 7

      Place the cage in a sunny, warm area to dry off. Place everything back into the cage once it has fully dried.