real wood

[timtay]

I have just received some 36 inch Surreal Vines from LLLReptile to put in my crestie cage that I am currently almost finished building. My question is how do I clean this stuff to make it safe? I have read about boiling it and baking it but with the long length I can't do either of these. I really don't like using bleach that much but even then how do I soak these long peices. Please help I know someone out there has had this problem before and figured out the best way to clean it.

[firecrested]

Bake it on 250 for about 20 minutes.

[justanotherfroginthepond]

Scrub it with chlorhexadine solution, rinse it very well (all this in the bathtub, of course!), and maybe dry it in sections under a mercury vapor lamp?  Put an add on craigslist that you're looking for something to bake those dimensions in.... maybe someone has a pottery kiln or large commercial oven they'd let you use? 

[timtay]

Thanks for the ideas. I think I will scrub it with the chlorhexadine solution since I already use it anyway for cleaning cages. I wish I could bake it to make me feel better but I will sacrifice a little peace of mind for how these vines are going to look in my new setup. Thanks again.

[daniellec]

I have been using poly crylite for years on all my wood bought or collected.  It water proofs it so it never molds or rots and the polycrylite makes it easy to just rinse feces off without worrying about the wood absorbing the chemicals used to clean it.  It air dries in minutes instead of hours, but make sure you allow the poly crylite to fully dry before using it.

[timtay]

That sounds very interesting. I have never heard of this product. Where do you buy yours from? I would really like to look further into this product if it is non toxic and waterproofs the wood it sounds great. After it dries can you tell its on the wood (shine or glossy) or does the wood keep its natural appearance? Thanks for the info and sorry about all the questions.

[daniellec]

You can get it at any home depot, lowes, and any store that sells hardware items.  I spelled it wrong but just ask for poly crylite thats at least how it sounds, lol.  After it has dried completely and is fume free it is 100% non toxic and is the same coating on wooden eating wares like bowls and tongs.  Your wood will NEVER mold or rot and poop slides right off.  Because it coats it so well the wood isn't porous anymore and fecals do not absord and grow science projects in the wood so simple scrubbing and rinsing without chemicals is all you will ever have to do.  I do three coats over a two day period and let it sit for 3 days rinsing once really good before putting it in.  In 7 years no reactions and others I know who have been in the hobby for years do the same so it is a pretty tested method. 

[timtay]

Well again thank you all very much. I will be on my way to Home Depot tomorrow to see what I can find.

[justanotherfroginthepond]

You can get it at any home depot, lowes, and any store that sells hardware items.  I spelled it wrong but just ask for poly crylite thats at least how it sounds, lol.  After it has dried completely and is fume free it is 100% non toxic and is the same coating on wooden eating wares like bowls and tongs.  Your wood will NEVER mold or rot and poop slides right off.  Because it coats it so well the wood isn't porous anymore and fecals do not absord and grow science projects in the wood so simple scrubbing and rinsing without chemicals is all you will ever have to do.  I do three coats over a two day period and let it sit for 3 days rinsing once really good before putting it in.  In 7 years no reactions and others I know who have been in the hobby for years do the same so it is a pretty tested method. 

Have you had success with it on corkbark?  Seems like you'd have to use a crapload of it to completely seal such a porous surface?

[daniellec]

I haven't used it on cork bark just woods.  Really 1-2 coats coats it extremely well, but I do 3 coats to be extra sure- probably overkill.  I don't see why you couldn't use it on cork bark it may take longer to dry but thats all.

[Ferrarian]

I'm curious to see how your setup turns out after you've added the vines. I hope you post pictures!