Clean Bearded Dragons Enclosure: Complete Guide

We all know we have to keep a clean bearded dragon’s enclosure and I am not here to tell you how to suck eggs on that one. But there are some tricky bits to cleaning. Like how do you clean sand in our beardies enclosure and what about wood? Is vinegar any good in their tanks and what about that reptile carpet that is getting a bit smelly?😊

Plus we all want a super clean bearded dragons enclosure that we can be proud to show off. Sparkling glass and no smelly odours. Regular and effective cleaning is the greatest gift and best protection you can give your bearded dragon against disease and support of good health.

The Story of A Clean Bearded Dragons Enclosure

We clean our bearded dragon’s enclosure because they eat where they live, and they poop where they eat. A dirty enclosure can lead to bacteria buildup, unpleasant odors, and even health issues, who wants the vet bills?

Now let’s just put that into perspective, just to keep us motivated.

Imagine spending our life in a single room. In that room we room we eat, drink, sleep, play, poop…maybe we even mate there. If we have a maid to look after us and keeping on top of things, well… it won’t be such a problem.

But what if the maid got a little busy, always finding something better to do in life than clean up after us? Things are going to get messy real fast. How long do you think it will be before we get sick?

I always remember reading the research by Wotherspoon (2007) and how he spoke of not finding one scat (poop) on the trails in all their research. He could only speculate as to why but the point is that the wild bearded dragon isn’t running around in its own poop or left over food.

I can’t tell you how many conversations I have heard about how people are struggling with their bearded dragon dragging themselves through their own poop and spreading it around.

Eww. Clearly that is not natural for them.

Keeping your bearded dragon’s enclosure clean doesn’t just prevent illness—it also reduces stress, keeps odors under control, and stops the spread of nasties like salmonella and coccidia (O’Rourke et al., 2015).

Dirty enclosures can lead to harmful bacteria, mold, and parasites taking hold—causing respiratory infections, skin problems, and parasites (Doneley et al., 2006). That is just money in vet bills that isn’t necessary.

So let’s keep those stinky bearded dragon odors at bay, halt the spread of little nasties like salmonella and coccidia, and we all just feel good.

For more about maintaining an ideal living space, check out our comprehensive guide on habitat and housing for bearded dragons.

How Often Should I Clean my Bearded Dragons Enclosure?

Consistency is key here. Do a daily spot cleaning, same as we do in our own home. Removes waste and leftover food, preventing bacteria from gaining a foothold (Johnson & Adwick, 2018).

Deep cleaning really depends on how big or small you went with your enclosure. If you went small then you are up for deep cleaning every 1-2 weeks but if you went big you could go longer. Unless your beardie is sick and if that is the case then you need to deep clean a lot, your vet will advise you on that one.

If you’re noticing strong odors or excessive buildup, it’s time to break out the cleaning supplies.

How do we Clean our Bearded Dragons Enclosure

How to Clean Bearded Dragon Tank Glass

Yes, we can use window cleaners to clean our bearded dragon’s glass.

Window cleaners commonly found in households often contain ammonia and glycol ethers, chemicals that are effective for cleaning glass.

According to a Petco veterinarian (Melanie, 2019) in reference to a question on whether glass cleaner is ok with dogs, Dr Melanie explained it isn’t highly toxic to pets. Clearly that isn’t specifically our reptile but I can find no evidence of hazards for our pets as long as they aren’t getting directly to the product,

Try out the window cleaning solutions for your bearded dragons tank below which use natural ingredients. However, keep in mind that “natural” doesn’t always mean “safe.”

For example, white vinegar can cause irritation if inhaled or not thoroughly rinsed off. Its acidic fumes are known to be hard to breathe in for humans (Poison Control, n.d.).

Similarly, baking soda can upset the digestive system if ingested in large amounts by small animals like dogs (VetMeds, n.d.). Now of course these issues were recognized in humans and other animals, not our reptiles, but it’s prudent to assume similar risks could apply to bearded dragons. It just means you make sure you wash it off and (or) dry it before letting your bearded dragon back into its sparkling clean cage.

Natural Alternatives to Window Cleaners to Clean Our Bearded Dragons Tank

Method	Ingredients	Steps	Best For
White Vinegar Solution	– 1 part distilled water- 1 part white vinegar	1. Mix ingredients in a spray bottle.2. Spray on the glass.3. Wipe with disposable paper towels or newspaper.	Everyday cleaning, streak-free shine.
Cornstarch Method	– 2 cups water- 1/2 cup white vinegar- 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol (91% isopropyl)- 1–2 tbsp cornstarch	1. Combine ingredients in a spray bottle.2. Shake well before use.3. Apply and wipe with disposable towels or newspaper.	Reducing streaks, quick evaporation.
Natural Degreaser & Stubborn Dirt Option	– Baking soda- Water- Vinegar solution	1. Mix baking soda with water to form a paste.2. Apply paste to grimy areas.3. Wipe off gently with the vinegar solution.	Heavy-duty grime removal.

Have you tried using vinegar in your bearded dragon’s tank to clean glass? Let us know in the comments below what you do.

How to Clean Bearded Dragon Poop

Cleaning up bearded dragon poop is definitely the least attractive job in the whole kit and kaboodle, but clearly someone’s got to do it.

When you see your beardie has dropped its bomb then deal with it straight away, especially if it’s a small enclosure. Don’t want that spread around!

Use gloves to pick it up and dispose of the stools. Keep a made-up disinfectant handy to spray the surface of whatever the poop touched.

Foul-smelling or runny poop, could indicate a health issue.

How to Clean Reptile Carpet in Your Bearded Dragons Enclosure

Reptile carpet needs to be cleaned to prevent bacterial and fungal. Here is how to clean your reptile carpet:

Daily Maintenance: Remove solid waste and spot clean the carpet as soon as you notice any soiling. Pick up waste and clean the affected area with a disinfectant

Weekly Deep Cleaning: Hand wash your reptile carpet. Nothing from your reptile should ever go into your washing machine or other household items or the risk of spreading zoonotic diseases increases dramatically.

1. Remove the carpet and shake off loose debris into garbage
2. Submerge in cool to warm water with gentle soap (hot water causes shrinkage)
3. Soak for about 20 minutes
4. Scrub gently with a brush on both sides
5. Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap
6. Apply your chosen disinfectant
7. Air dry your reptile carpet

If you choose to use reptile carpet then you need to keep multiple. They wear out and take time to dry after washing.

The reptile carpets can also smells bad even after washing. You could try to reduce the smell by sprinkling with a thin layer of baking soda on the damp carpet and let it sit for about 10 minute. Then pop it in the sun to dry. That should reduce the smell of the reptile carpet a bit. Otherwise, its simply time to replace it.

How to Clean Rocks and Branches in our Bearded Dragons Enclosures

Cleaning the rocks and branches in our bearded dragon’s enclosure can be a bit of a process.

Firstly, remove any dirt or debris. Then, go to the post on Sterilizing Wood for Reptiles to get the quick fix to sanitizing them.

How to Clean Bearded Dragon Tank with Sand

How to clean a bearded dragons tank with sand…well that’s difficult. The short of it is, heat the substrate up. Just like sanitizing wood (see the guide on that linked above) you can also sanitize sand in the same way. Essentially it has be heated.

Let’s be frank with each other, it’s never going to work long term with you trying to sanitize sand. Its a lot of time being spent for little gain. Experts certainly recommend using non-porous or easily washable substrates for your bearded dragon to minimize bacteria growth (Davis, 2021).

Cleaning a bearded dragons tank with sand is only challenging because of the loose substrate. Maybe consider an easier to clean option like tiles and a dig box? Then you get the best of both worlds, something easy to clean and some digging fun for your beardie.

What Can We Clean Our Bearded Dragons Tank With?

Let’s just speak about the elephant in the room straight up and say, we really need to have a separate cleaning kit for our reptiles than for us humans. No one thinks they are going to get sick from our reptiles, but it happens.

We don’t even share our washing machine, dishwasher, sinks or other things anyone in our family may use.

It can be kept simple:

• a bucket,
• scrub brush and scourer,
• a little paint razor for any gunk you need to scrape off,
• perhaps a microfiber cloth,
• paper towels,
• disinfectant
• gloves and any other protection you need to wear to keep yourself safe from chemicals and of course from zoonotic diseases.

What Detergents Can We Use for Our Bearded Dragon’s Enclosure?

Cleaners are detergents and degreasers. We use detergents to remove any residual organic matter from daily life like poop or food.

Degreasers are the bigger guns in cleaning and do exactly what they say, they remove grease, bodily oils and that sort of thing. We really should never need to use degreasers.

We can use any mild cleaners, like dishwashing liquid, as a cleaner and once we are done, we use a disinfectant to clean our bearded dragons enclosure.

What Disinfectants Can We Use for Our Bearded Dragon’s Enclosure?

Not all disinfectants are created equal. Some can leave residues that are harmful to reptiles, while others might not be effective against specific pathogens. This post answers all the questions on what disinfectants to use and how to use them, like F10SC, chlorhexidine, or diluted bleach. It also addresses questions like “can I use Clorox wipes in my bearded dragons enclosure”. Cleaning Products to Clean Bearded Dragons Tank

Microfiber Cloths Vs Paper Towels

Hands down, paper towels are by far the easiest thing to use to clean our bearded dragons tank with. Once used they go to the bin, we don’t need to fuss any further. But, we don’t all like being so disposable and there are some clothes simply designed to do a great job. Microfiber clothes are one of those.

Feature	Paper Towels	Microfiber Cloths
Convenience	Single-use, no washing needed	Reusable, requires proper washing
Cleaning Power	Basic absorption and cleaning	Can remove large numbers of microbes
Water Absorption	Nothing amazing	Can absorb 7x its own weight in water
Special Features	None	Creates static charge to attract dust Tiny split fibers reach into cracks Significantly reduces bacteria left behind
Environmental Impact	Disposable, creates waste	Reusable, more sustainable

How to look after your microfiber cloth:

1. Wash in disinfectant once used and let it dry in the sun. Clearly you can’t put the clothes you have used in your reptile cages in your own washing.
2. Use hot water and regular detergent
3. Don’t use bleach (shortens cloth life)
4. Avoid fabric softeners
5. Air dry or tumble dry on low heat

Can You Use Vinegar to Clean Our Bearded Dragons Tank?

Sure, we can use vinegar to clean our bearded dragons tank, but its not effective as a disinfectant. But hey, it’s great for cleaning glass!

Research by Zinn and Bockmühl (2020) looked at how well vinegar works to kill germs for our human world. They tested different strengths of vinegar (5%, 7.5%, and 10% acetic acid) to see how it performed against bacteria, fungi, and viruses.

• Bacteria and Fungi: A 10% vinegar solution worked best, effectively killing common bacteria like E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus (including antibiotic-resistant strains like MRSA), and fungi like Candida albicans. A contact time of 5 minutes was needed to achieve this level of effectiveness. Lower strengths like 5% also worked, but not as reliably on tougher microorganisms.
• Viruses: Against certain viruses, including enveloped viruses (like those with a protective layer), a 5% vinegar solution was effective in just 1 minute.

Your household vinegar is likely 5%, so it can reduce some bacteria and viruses with enough contact time. However, the studies do not delve into pathogens that are part of our reptiles world. Vinegar is not strong enough to reliably kill tough germs, such as fungi or other resilient pathogens, although an increase in the concentration may help.

For cleaning your bearded dragon’s tank, vinegar can help with light cleaning tasks like glass or surface grime. But for proper disinfection, check out all the disinfectants we can use to clean our reptile cages, such as F10 or bleach, in the article.

What Not to Clean Our Bearded Dragons Tank With

When cleaning your bearded dragon’s tank, there are some materials and methods that can spread germs or even create new risks. Here are the tools to skip and why:

1. Cotton Cloths: Why Not? Cotton cloths are not effective at capturing germs. Instead of removing bacteria, they can spread them across surfaces, potentially making the tank less hygienic.

2. Sponges: Why Not? Sponges are notoriously difficult to clean thoroughly. They can harbor bacteria, mold, and other harmful microorganisms, which can be transferred back into our bearded dragons enclosure.

Better Alternatives:

• Microfiber Cloths: Designed to trap dirt and bacteria effectively, microfiber cloths are washable and reusable, making them both hygienic and eco-friendly.
• Disposable Paper Towels: These single-use options are convenient for quick clean-ups and help prevent cross-contamination.

Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning a Bearded Dragon Tank

Look, I think we are all pretty savvy on how to clean, but here are the specifics on how to clean a bearded dragon’s tank:

1. Daily Spot Cleaning

1. Remove waste and poop, uneaten food, or spilled water as soon as you notice it.
2. Spot clean with disinfectant any areas that were contaminated.

2. Deep Cleaning

1. Prepare Your Beardie: Move your bearded dragon to a temporary safe space.
2. Empty the Tank: Take out all decorations, accessories, and substrate.
3. Remove Debris: Clean up any visible mess, such as leftover food or waste.
4. Wash Accessories: Scrub decorations and hides with warm water and a reptile-safe cleaning agent.
5. Clean the Tank: Wipe down the tank walls and floor with your chosen cleaner. Use a scrub brush for stubborn spots. Any disinfectants we use need to be able to contact the surface directly otherwise it simply won’t be able to do its job at disinfecting (Rossi, 2006).
6. Disinfect: Apply disinfectant and follow the product’s instructions, leave it on or rinse it off as needed.
7. Dry Thoroughly: Let everything air dry or use paper towels to ensure there’s no moisture left. Air drying is fine or in the sunshine even better for added protection. You can also use paper towels (Rossi, 2006).

3. Reassemble the Tank

1. Replace the substrate with fresh material.
2. Add back the clean and dry decorations and accessories.
3. Move your bearded dragon into their sparkling clean home.

The 3 Levels of Clean: What’s The Difference?

Have you noticed that as we run around the internet, we see a lot of terms being used loosely? I know I am guilty of it too at times, but let’s clear up because we really should be using the terms cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing appropriately. Otherwise, how do any of us know what we are truly trying to say!

Here’s a quick breakdown of the three levels of clean and when to use them:

1. Cleaning is mostly about elbow grease!

• What It Does: Removes visible dirt, leftover food, and waste.
• How It Works: Soap and water break down dirt and grease, letting you physically remove grime and organic matter. It doesn’t kill germs but clears the way for disinfectants to do their job.
• When to Use: When things need cleaning or before disinfecting or sterilizing.

2. Disinfecting, keeps things healthy!

• What It Does: Kills most bacteria, fungi, and some viruses.
• How It Works: Disinfectants, like diluted bleach or F10SC, attack the cell walls of microorganisms, breaking them down to make them harmless. Different disinfectants can be effective on different pathogens. It takes time for the disinfectant to do its job which is why we have a ‘contact’ time for each type.
• When to Use: Deep cleaning or after a mess like poop!

3. Sterilizing, this is the big guns *pew pew*!

• What It Does: The big guns—eliminates everything, including tough bacterial spores.
• How It Works: Often involves heat (e.g., steam cleaning at 158°F/70°C for 30 minutes) or specialized products.
• When to Use: Rarely needed in our home situations. This is more at a veterinary level, medical, hospital style thing. However, there might be times in serious illnesses or when introducing a new bearded dragon to the tank that we might need to do some of it.

Quick Note About Antiseptics: These are for skin and living tissue only – don’t use them on your beardie’s furniture!

Cleaning physically removes infectious agents and the organic matter on which they thrive, but does not necessarily destroy them. Veerabadran and Parkinson, 2010

Final Thoughts on Cleaning Our Bearded Dragon’s Enclosure

A clean enclosure gives our bearded dragon a healthier home—and hopefully makes you feel great as well! Try and stick to a regular cleaning schedule while using safe, effective products.

Nearly all health problems in captive bearded dragons are linked to poor husbandry including inadequate cleaning (Doneley et al., 2006). Don’t be one of the statistics. Cleaning might not be glamorous, but it’s one of the best ways to show your bearded dragon how much you love it.

FAQs

References

• American College of Veterinary Pharmacists. (2023, April 25). Baking Soda – American College of Veterinary Pharmacists. https://vetmeds.org/pet-poison-control-list/baking-soda/#
• Barten, S. L. (2006). Reptile medicine and surgery (2nd in Mader). Saunders Elsevier.
• CDC. (2008). Chemical Disinfectants. Infection Control.
• Doneley, B., Monks, D., Johnson, R., & Carmel, B. (2018). Reptile medicine and surgery in clinical practice. Wiley Blackwell.
• Fedoruk, M. J., Bronstein, R., & Kerger, B. D. (2005). Ammonia exposure and hazard assessment for selected household cleaning product uses. Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology, 15(6), 534–544.
• Field Research and Consultation Group. (2011) Microfiber. Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences. University of Washington.
• Johnson, R., & Adwick, S. (2018). Companion Animal Care and Welfare (J. Yeates, Ed.). John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
• May, M. E. (2014). Vinegar. Poison.org; Poison Control. https://www.poison.org/articles/vinegar-164
• Melanie. (2019). wondering if glass cleaner is highly toxic. Petco.com.
• O’Rourke, D. P., & Lertpiriyapong, K. (2015). Biology and Diseases of Reptiles. Laboratory Animal Medicine, 3rd Ed, 967–1013.
• Rossi, J. V. (2006a). Reptile Medicine and Surgery (in Mader). Elsevier.
• Veerabadran, S., & Parkinson, I. M. (2010). Cleaning, disinfection and sterilization of equipment. Anaesthesia & Intensive Care Medicine, 11(11), 451–454.
• Wotherspoon, A. D. (2007). Ecology and management of Eastern bearded dragon : Pogona barbata.
• Zinn, M.-K., & Bockmühl, D. (2020). Did granny know best? Evaluating the antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral efficacy of acetic acid for home care procedures. BMC Microbiology, 20(1), 265.