Cleaning your gerbils' tank is easy and will take just a few
minutes. While the tank is being cleaned, put your gerbils in a safe
place such as a critter-keeper, or in the bathtub (as long as you don't
need the tub to clean the tank! And close the bathroom door against
cats and dogs!) Then simply:
Dump dirty litter into a wastebasket or garbage bag.
Put in a very small drop of dishwashing soap (the kind you do
dishes by hand with, not dishwasher detergent), or a teaspoon of bleach.
Add an inch or so of warm-to-hot water.
Use a sponge to wash the bottom, sides, top and underside of the
rim. Wash outside walls if dirty.
Rinse thoroughly. Using hot water will speed the drying process.
Dump water out, then dry tank with paper towels.
Into your now clean and dry tank, add fresh bedding (Carefresh, corncob
or aspen). Sprinkle 2-3 tablespoons of extra food around for your
gerbils to dig and find. Add some nesting material (Eco-bedding,
Carefresh Ultra, or torn-up unscented toilet paper). Toss in a new tube
or box for fun.
Rinse the water bottle thoroughly with hot water. Use a pipecleaner
to clean gunk out of the spout. Refill with cold water.
Return your gerbils to their tank and watch them investigate their
curiously new world!
