Disinfecting styrofoam 'bators

[CheerfulChaos]

I've been searching on this topic, but can't find an answer. Got a brand new 1588 sitting on my counter, thermometer and hygrometer calibrated and ready, and eggs coming hopefully on Thursday. Do I need to disinfect the incubator prior to first time use? What does everyone else use to clean their styrofoam bators with after a hatch? All advise welcome as I am new to the incubating scene. I did read the stickies on incubating but didn't see any mention about cleaning agents suitable for styrofoam.

 

[Ryu]

I clean mine with mild dish soap, give it a good rinse, then wipe it down with a 1% bleach solution, then dry it off with a towel 5 minutes later.

The best thing is probably Lysol I.C. it is a Quaternary disinfectant a dilute solution of that works great to clean and disinfect

Both of those will kill just about anything that might be lurking.

For my new bator--I have to confess I didn't do anything except plug it in and go

.

Happy hatching!

 

[CheerfulChaos]

Thank you Ryu! Just the info I needed!

 

[Tuffoldhen]

I never cleaned mine the first time I used it either. After a hatch I always take the bottom, the wire and the plastic trough and soak in the tub in a solution of weak bleach, mild hot water and dawn dishliquid. Rinse well. The top I just wipe down with the same solution, and then let it air dry in the sun for the day.