Cleaning Outdoor Rabbit Cage

[Ashmeade]

We have an outdoor rabbit cage where our rabbit we had passed away a few weeks ago. We THINK it was old age though I am not certain. He had not been sick and seemed to have just gone to sleep. That being said, I cannot totally rule out something other than old age causing his death. We have recently got a new rabbit, who is staying indoors for the winter but in the spring I would like the option to put him outside at times and use the outdoor cage. With that in mind, I am looking for recommendations on the best way to fully clean the outdoor cage in the event that there was a disease or something that our new rabbit could catch... Any advice there would be appreciated!

Edited to add, it is a wooden cage with wire. I had been thinking bleach but I did not want that to soak into the wood and cause issues when the rabbit chews on the cage, etc.

 

[Mattemma]

If bleach is not an option then maybe a wash down with water that has some grapefruit seed extract(GSE) or tea tree oil(TTO). I think even garlic,lavender,and lemons have anti-bacterial properties. There are pet cage cleaners sold at the store that might also do the trick.
Some use vinegar. I have used lysol spray and wipes,but that was for plastic and wire.

 

[Glenmar]

You could just use dish soap and water, and spray it out with a hose. That is what I used to do with mine.

 

[sixshooter60]

Get a long handle stiff brush and a bucket of soapy water and scrub it down good and then rinse it . then get you some oxine its way better than bleach as it kills almost every kind of bacteria and its non toxic to you or animals.. mix a solution of 1/4 tablespoon to a gal of water in a sprayer or a spray bottle and spray it down good and leave it to dry on its own it will kill the bacteria . i use it on a weekly basis in the chicken coop and to clean waterers and feeders.. you can google it and read about . its good stuff...

 

[Ashmeade]

Thanks! I think I will try a mixture of these suggestions. That way cage will be totally sterile by spring!

 

[Jamie_Dog_Trainer]

You don't have to worry about bleach staying in the wood. Bleach evaporates readily and the only residue might be a salty one, I would use bleach and rinse very well several times, then allow to air dry for several days before putting the new rabbit in

 

[OhioEggs]

Diluted bleach will do the trick. It's in any city water anyway!