Best way to disinfect a wood floor?

[Karla]

Dana Krempel has adviced me to disinfect everything around the bunnies, which I am doing right now.

However, I have no idea how to disinfect our limed wood floor. Bleach – bad idea Ethanol – probably a really bad idea as well. Rodalon – no effect when combined with soap.

Now what else can I use??

 

[jerseygirl]

Are they old style limed floors or lime-look using a paint wash? Lime can be used as a disinfectant. Lye based floor cleaner might be ok too.  If the rabbits aren’t in the habit of peeing all over the floors and running thru the pee, I wouldn’t think you have to be too worried about the floors.

[Karla]

The dictionary is not helping me much with lime, but they are old wood boards washed with special whitening soap to keep them light…so, that would mean that it is okay just to have washed them with this soap?

[jerseygirl]

After I first posted I was looking up lye for floors. I only just realized the site I was reading is a Denmark based company! So maybe you can email to ask advice? http://www.woca.info/woodcare/floor/wood-lye.php (alternative language is German?)  Edit: Oops, I think they’re German based, just named Woca Denmark.  Maybe email/ring a more local flooring company?
To be honest, I would stick to what you normally use.

[Karla]

I found Woka – from the logo, I can tell it is just the German brand name for the Danish company Trip Trap, so I know who to contact now. Thank you

I did try to google lye, but I only got some links, I didn’t quite know what to make of. I think I might stick which just the regular wash. I have disinfected the cages and everything in them with Rodalon and ethanol, and although there is some marking on the floor near one of the cages, this is not where they eat and it is my understanding, that it is when they eat something that has been urinated upon that they can get infected.

I think I have resigned and kind of given up doing more than I do now.

[Sarita]

I have no idea but I think you just need to disinfect the litter boxes and other rabbit areas and their food dishes. I would not risk ruining a wood floor – it would be like disinfecting carpet – it really cannot be done.

[lwayne]

you can try mopping with a cup of vinegar in a bucket of water, or spot cleaning with half vinegar half water. I usually mop our hardwood floors with vinegar. I’m not sure what limed wood flooring is though.

[Deleted User]

you could get a veterinary disinfectant, ask your vet next time. What about sagrotan, can you get that in Denmark?

[Michelle&Lolli]

I was also going to suggest using vinegar with some water.

[Sarita]

It does appear that white vinegar would be okay to use on hardwood floors but I would of course, dilute it.

[Deleted User]

It is true that vinegar is used to clean wooden kitchen cutting boards so i imagine it is a first class cleaner for floors too.

[Karla]

I always use vinegar if they have had any accidents on the floor as it removes stains beautifully. But I didn’t know that vinegar killed bacteria? I only thought it removed the smell?

[Sarita]

I found this artticle on vinegar:

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/vinegar-k…erms.html#

 

[Deleted User]

It does kill bacteria as you can see in a jar of pickles ~ but I doubt it would have the same range of action as bleach. Ask your vet!

[Deleted User]

come to think of it, Karla, it may be a matter of acid concentration. You might want an industrial strength vinegar for floors.

[RabbitPam]

http://www.greenfootsteps.com/natural-wood-floor-cleaner.html

I looked up natural cleaners for wood floors, and found this website. It lists a variety of types, so you may be able to figure out which to use. I’m thinking the diluted vinegar is good, but never use a lot of water and don’t let it stand. It also suggested mild olive oil soap.

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