We all know that using disinfectants to clean our bearded dragon’s tank are a key to keeping diseases at bay. But, figuring out which disinfectant to use can feel a bit daunting.
Here’s the trick, there is no single disinfectant that can do every job. So, we can have our favorite disinfectants to clean our bearded dragon’s tank, and then others that we reach out for when needed.
Let’s look at our options, what disinfectants we can use, how to apply them safely, and what to avoid, so we can keep our bearded dragon’s enclosure fresh and hygienic with confidence.
Read more…
What are Disinfectants and what do they Do?
The disinfectants we clean our bearded dragons enclosure with are intended to destroy or impede the growth of disease carrying microorganisms. Disinfectants help get rid of harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungi that can cause illness in our reptiles. Ways of disinfecting are by radiation, heat and chemicals.
To make sure our life is easy when it comes to disinfecting our bearded dragon’s enclosure we need to set it up right in the first case. There are plenty of options which you can find in the bearded dragon habitat and housing guides.
PRO TIP: Struggling with cleaning sand substrate in your bearded dragons enclosure? You have so other options that will still give your baby digging opportunities. see the best substrate for bearded dragons.
Disinfectants to Clean our Bearded Dragons Tank With
In a nutshell, because we are all busy, I am going to give you a summary of the disinfectants to clean our bearded dragons tank with here, in one table.
Well kind of, I hope you look further because there is so much more to know than just this. However, in a nutshell that you could use:
| Products | Dilution Ratio | Contact Time |
| F10SC Veterinary Disinfectant | 2 mL of F10 SC in 1 litre of water or 1/8 teaspoon per gallon of water | 5 minutes |
| Nolvasan | 23 ml per litre of water or 3 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons (just under 1/4 cup) per gallon of water | 10 minutes |
| Household bleach eg White King or Clorox | 31.2 ml per litre of water or 1/2 cup per gallon of water | 10 minutes |
| Virkon® S | 10 grams of Virkon to 1 litre of water or 2.5 tablespoons of Virkon per gallon of water | 10 minutes |
At the top of the pops there is F10 SC. F10 is a great alround disinfectant developed specifically for animal settings, it is deadly to a plethora of nasties, becomes inert once dried and isn’t corrosive. Gotta love that!
From there pick the disinfectant suitable for what you are trying to achieve. Is your bearded dragon suffering from an illness? If so, then you go through the capability of each disinfectant to find the one that works for your situation. Of course, your vet can help you with your choices.
PRO TIP: If chemical odors remain after cleaning, allow the tank to air out longer to prevent any harm to your bearded dragon. Fitzgerald & Vera (2006) recommend 24 hours.
Disinfectants we can use to Clean our Bearded Dragons Enclosure
Frequent exposure to harsh chemicals can harm both our reptiles and us. Use disinfectants only when necessary and just like the guidelines tell us to (Ritchie, 2006).
Just for our own safety we should always wear gloves, aprons, eye protection and any other PPE the manufacter suggests when handling chemicals.
- PRO TIP: Materials like wood and rubber can absorb chemicals. When possible, replace contaminated porous items instead of trying to disinfect them (Slomka-McFarland, 2006). Sanitize wood with heat treatments to eliminate pathogens effectively (O’Rourke et al., 2015).
- PRO TIP: Cryptosporidium spp., non-enveloped viruses, and bacterial spores are resistant to common disinfectants. Heat and drying can help manage Cryptosporidium oocysts (Doneley et al., 2018).
F10SC Veterinary Disinfectant: Powerful Disinfect that Doesn’t Need Washing Off!
| Feature | Details |
| Dilution and Application | F10® SC Veterinary Disinfectant is a broad-spectrum disinfectant which is great at dealing with a wide range of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores. It’s widely used in veterinary practices, animal shelters, zoos, and laboratories for high-level disinfection of hard surfaces, equipment, and air spaces. Dilution Ratio: 2 mL of F10 SC in 1 litre of water (1:500 dilution) that is 1/8 teaspoon per gallon of water. Double that for the next level of disinfection and for highly resistant viruses and bacterial spores plus Protozoal Oocysts we go to 10 ml for litre of water (1:100). Prepare a fresh solution daily. Contact Time: Contact time is 5 minutes but you may need a greater concentration depending on whether you need to deal with a virus or other specific pathogen. |
| Safety Precautions | Still wear gloves and eye protection to keep yourself safe, these disinfectants aren’t meant to touch your skin. Ensure good ventilation during application (Health and Hygiene, 2016). |
| Application Methods | Wiping or Spraying: Apply diluted solution directly to surfaces with a cloth or spray bottle. Soaking: Submerge non-porous items like water bowls in the solution for the recommended contact time. |
| Rinsing and Drying | At recommended dilutions, rinsing is not required. For sensitive species, rinsing can be done as an extra precaution. Let surfaces air dry completely before reintroducing your bearded dragon. |
| Is It Inert Once Dried? | F10SC is safe once dried with no harmful residues. F10 has also used for fogging to kill airborne microorganisms while the animal is present. |
| Best Use | Routine cleaning and disinfection due to its broad-spectrum efficacy and safety profile. |
Nolvasan: Strong and reliable, but Needs Thorough Rinsing
| Feature | Details |
| Dilution and Application | Nolvasan® Solution is a disinfectant effective as a bactericide and virucide for use in animal premises (Zoetis US) but it has limited effectiveness against bacterial spores, prions, and parasitic eggs like coccidia. Dilution Ratio: For disinfection, dilute 23 ml per litre of water or 3 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons (just under 1/4 cup) per gallon of water. That’s a ratio of 1:43.5. Contact Time: For general disinfection allow 10 minutes of contact time (Zoetis, 2015). This allows the active ingredient, chlorhexidine diacetate, to work effectively against bacteria and viruses. |
| Safety Precautions | Always wear gloves, long-sleeved clothing, and eye protection. Use in a well-ventilated area to minimize inhalation of fumes (Zoetis, 2015). |
| Application Methods | Wiping or Spraying: Apply directly to surfaces and ensure they stay wet for the full contact time. Soaking: Submerge non-porous items like water bowls for at least 10 minutes. |
| Rinsing and Drying | Rinse all surfaces thoroughly with potable water after application. Let the enclosure dry completely before reintroducing your bearded dragon. |
| Is It Inert Once Dried? | Nolvasan residues can persist if not properly rinsed. Drying reduces risk, but it should be thoroughly rinsed off. |
| Best Use | Cleaning accessories and surfaces where a strong disinfectant is needed. Avoid poorly ventilated spaces. |
Sodium Hypochlorite (Household Bleach): Affordable and Effective, but *Gags*
| Feature | Details |
| Dilution and Application | Bleach is highly effective against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and many spores, but it is not reliable for killing parasitic eggs, cysts (like coccidia), prions, or microorganisms protected within biofilms. Dilution Ratio: The dilution ratio of household bleach is 1:30 which equates to 31.2 ml per litre of water or 1/2 cup per gallon of water. Once mixed with water, the solution begins to degrade, losing its disinfecting properties within 24 hours. Contact Time: Give the bleach 10 minutes of contact time (Barten, 2006). Manufacturer Guidance: Adjust dilution based on bleach concentration (typically 5–9%), read the product guidelines to know. Bleach can damage metal and painted surfaces. Always rinse thoroughly and avoid using it on sensitive materials (Doneley et al., 2018). Never use full strength bleach: Using bleach without dilution can damage surfaces, release harmful fumes, and be toxic to reptiles. Always dilute bleach and rinse thoroughly (Rossi, 2006). |
| Safety Precautions | Wear gloves and make sure you have windows open or some other way to ensure good ventilation during use. Never mix bleach with other cleaners, especially if they have ammonia or acids, it will create a nasty reaction. Avoid full-strength application due to harmful fumes. |
| Application Methods | Wiping or Spraying: Apply diluted solution directly to surfaces and let it sit for at least 10 minutes. Soaking: Submerge non-porous items like water bowls in the diluted solution for 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. |
| Rinsing and Drying | Thoroughly rinse all surfaces with clean water after disinfection to remove bleach residues. Allow the enclosure and accessories to air dry completely before reintroducing your bearded dragon. |
| Is It Inert Once Dried? | Bleach residues are not inert and must be thoroughly rinsed off to avoid harming your pet. |
| Best Use | Effective for general disinfection of non-metal, non-porous surfaces. |
Virkon® S: Deep-cleaning Powerhouse for Serious Jobs
| Feature | Details |
| Dilution and Application | Virkon® S is a broad-spectrum disinfectant effective against viruses, bacteria, and fungi, though it has limited effectiveness against bacterial spores, parasitic eggs, and prions. Dilution Ratio: The dilution ratio depends on its intended purpose but Virkon recommend for routine disinfection 10 grams of Virkon to 1 litre of water or 2.5 tablespoons of Virkon per gallon of water. That’s a dilution ratio of 1:100. The mixed solution can last up to 4 to 5 days. Contact Time: Virkon needs at least 10 minutes of contact time to work (LANXESS Corporation, n.d.). |
| Safety Precautions | PPE: Always swear gloves, eye protection, and keep the windows open for ventilation while using it. Avoid Inhalation: Minimize inhalation of fumes to prevent irritation (LANXESS Corporation, n.d.). |
| Application Methods | Wiping or Spraying: Apply the diluted solution directly to surfaces using a cloth or spray bottle, ensuring surfaces remain wet for the full contact time. Soaking: Submerge non-porous items like water bowls in the solution for at least 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. |
| Rinsing and Drying | Thoroughly rinse all surfaces with clean water after the contact time to remove residual disinfectant. Allow the enclosure and accessories to air dry completely before reintroducing your bearded dragon (LANXESS Corporation, n.d.). |
| Is It Inert Once Dried? | Virkon® S residues are not inert but for large animals it can be left on wood, glass, plastic and so on but must be washed off equipment that touches the animal plus drinking or feeding equipment. For our purposes Virkon should be washed off. |
| Best Use | Ideal for deep cleaning after illnesses or when transitioning between reptile occupants due to its effectiveness against resistant pathogens. |
Quaternary Ammonium (Roccal-D, Parvosol): Specialized Use for Targeted Cleaning
| Feature | Details |
| Dilution and Application | Roccal-D: Roccal-D is a bactericide, fungicide and virucide intended for use in animal settings. It has limited efficacy against bacterial spores, prions, and parasitic eggs such as coccidia Dilution Ratio: Roccal-D recommends a routine disinfection dilution ratio of 1:256 which is 3.9 ml of Roccal-D to 1 liter of water. Fresh solutions should be prepared daily. Contact Time: The contact time for Roccal-D® Plus varies based on the what organisms we are targetting. For general disinfection, keep surfaces wet for at least 10 minutes to give it the most effective microbial control. However, some pathogens or heavily soiled areas, may require a longer contact time. * Parvosol II RTU: Parvosol II RTU is effective against various bacteria, viruses and fungi, making it suitable for general disinfection in animal care settings. However, it may have limited efficacy against bacterial spores, prions, and parasitic eggs such as coccidia Dilution Ratio: This product is ready to use and does not require dilution. Contact Time: Contact time is dependent on what we are trying to eradicate and based on that can be effective between 1 to 10 minutes (LANXESS Corporation, n.d.). To cover the specrtrum of possible pathogens ensure surfaces remain wet for at least 10 minutes. |
| Safety Precautions | PPE: Wear gloves and ensure good ventilation during application to minimize inhalation of fumes. Organic Matter: Ineffective in the presence of organic debris; clean surfaces thoroughly before application. Residue: Rinse surfaces thoroughly after disinfection to prevent toxic residue build-up. |
| Application Methods | Wiping or Spraying: Apply the diluted solution directly to clean surfaces using a cloth or spray bottle, ensuring surfaces remain wet for the full contact time. Soaking: Submerge non-porous items in the solution, then rinse thoroughly. |
| Rinsing and Drying | Thoroughly rinse all surfaces with clean water to remove residual disinfectant. Allow the enclosure and accessories to air dry completely before reintroducing your bearded dragon. |
| Is It Inert Once Dried? | Quaternary ammonium residues are not inert and must be rinsed thoroughly to prevent harm. |
| Best Use | Ideal for professional veterinary settings or when targeting specific pathogens under expert guidance. Not recommended for routine home use. |
Never Use These Disinfectants to Clean our Bearded Dragons Tank
Some disinfectants are not suitable for our bearded dragon’s tanks.
Never use Phenolic compounds to disinfect our bearded dragon’s enclosure, they are a big no-no (O’Rourke et al., 2015). You’ll find them in a few household cleaners, like these:
- Pine-Sol: The pine scent might make you think it’s fresh and clean, but it’s not safe for reptiles.
- Lysol Disinfectants: Some formulations, especially those with o-phenylphenol, are another risky choice.
- Dettol Antiseptic Liquid: Contains chloroxylenol.
There are plenty of better alternatives we have discussed already, stick to them.
Can We Use Isopropyl Alcohol to Clean Our Bearded Dragon’s Tank?
Isopropyl alcohol is not one of the disinfectants we can clean our bearded dragons enclosure with. Isopropyl alcohol is a great product for the right cirucmstances. It can have its place for certain surfaces, but there are several important issues to consider for our application purposes.
Isopropyl alcohol can be effective for quick cleaning of small, non-porous surfaces such as stainless steel, glass, or feeding tools. It’s commonly used because it kills many bacteria and viruses and dries quickly without leaving residue (CDC, 2022). For small items like feeding tongs or water dishes, isopropyl alcohol can work in a pinch—as long as the item is rinsed thoroughly afterward.
Despite its strengths, isopropyl alcohol has significant drawbacks that make it less than ideal to clean our bearded dragon’s enclosure. Not the least being it can damage enclosure materials like varnish and certain plastics, but it can be good on stainless steel and some other metals.
| Advantages | Limitations |
|---|---|
| Kills bacteria and some viruses. | Evaporates in seconds to minutes, making it hard to maintain contact time for certain pathogens. |
| Dries quickly, leaving surfaces residue-free. | Can damage varnish, plastics, and rubber, leading to brittleness or warping with repeated use. |
| Useful for small, non-porous items. | Not effective against fungal spores, bacterial spores, or certain hydrophilic viruses like poliovirus. |
| Suitable for occasional use on glass or metal. | Fumes can irritate the respiratory system in poorly ventilated spaces. |
Can We Clean Our Bearded Dragon’s Tank with Clorox Wipes?
Can We Clean Our Bearded Dragon’s Tank with Clorox Wipes? Yes you could use Clorox wipes to disinfect your bearded dragons enclosure. But, here is why it’s not the best idea.
Clorox disinfecting wipes contain antimicrobial agents known as quaternary ammonium compounds. These ingredients are designed to kill germs effectively on household surfaces when used correctly.
However, their effectiveness depends on maintaining the required contact time—surfaces need to stay visibly wet for at least 4 minutes to ensure disinfection against pathogens like Salmonella (CloroxPro, n.d.).
Ok so that’s not so bad given other disinfectants we discussed need longer, right? But the disinfectants we discussed earlier are sprayed on or wiped using a container of made up solution. This gives us a lot more liquid to contact the surface. Wipes are relatively dry.
Why are Clorox wipes safer for home sse than reptile enclosures? Clorox wipes work well in household settings because good ventilation helps disperse chemical residues, and humans are less likely to have prolonged skin or respiratory contact with treated surfaces. However, these wipes are not tested or approved for use in animal care settings, which prioritize products that minimize risks to animals while offering effective pathogen control. Additionally, in a bearded dragon’s enclosure:
- Surfaces often dry too quickly after wiping, reducing the wipes’ effectiveness in killing pathogens.
- Your bearded dragon would still need to be moved out of its enclosure while using bleach in there.
- Chemical residues can irritate your bearded dragon’s sensitive skin and respiratory system so you would still have to wash it off the surface.
If you use Clorox wipes for quick touch-ups, then:
- Rinse the surfaces thoroughly with water to remove all chemical residues.
- Allow the surfaces to air dry completely before reintroducing your bearded dragon.
Better Options for Your Bearded Dragon’s Tank For regular cleaning, disinfectants we can use to clean our bearded dragons enclosure can include choices like F10SC or use the Clorox bleach liquid diluted as discussed previously. These products have the power to eliminate pathogens while minimizing risks to your pet’s health and safety.
Final Thoughts on Disinfecants to Clean Our Bearded Dragons Tank with
The disinfectants we use to clean our bearded dragons enclosure with doesn’t have to be complicated, we just have to make the right choice for the job at hand. Know what we need the disinfectant to do and choose the right product for that application.
With the right products and a little know-how, it’s easy to keep their home safe and healthy. Whichever you choose, I wish you the best on staying on top of your cleaning routine my friend. You are doing great!
Ooo also, *points excitedly here*, in case you missed it the post on cleaning our bearded dragons enclosures is here and goes into great tips on cleaning glass, whether we should use vinegar and other cleaning tips and tricks.
If you have got in a pickle with then the cleaning to kill Coccidia guide is for you my friend.
FAQs
What’s the best way to disinfect my bearded dragon’s enclosure?
Use a reptile-safe disinfectant like F10 or chlorhexidine for thorough disinfection (O’Rourke et al., 2015). However, keep in mind that there are different disinfectants for different jobs, they are not all the same.
References
- Barten, S. L. (2006). Reptile medicine and surgery (2nd in Mader). Saunders Elsevier.
- CDC. (2008). Chemical Disinfectants. Infection Control.
- Clorox. (2021, June 6). Clorox Disinfecting Wipes | CloroxPro.
- 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.
- Fitzgerald, K. T., & Vera, R. (2006). Reptile medicine and surgery (2nd in Mader). Saunders Elsevier.
- Health and Hygiene Safety Data Sheet Product: F10SC Veterinary Disinfectant. (n.d.). In Health and Hygiene.
- Lanxess. (n.d.). ▷ Virkon® S | Farm biosecurity products | LANXESS. Lanxess.com.
- O’Rourke, D. P., & Lertpiriyapong, K. (2015). Biology and Diseases of Reptiles. Laboratory Animal Medicine, 3rd Ed, 967–1013.
- Product Label Parvosol. (n.d.). In Parvosol.
- Rossi, J. V. (2006). Reptile Medicine and Surgery (in Mader). Elsevier.
- Safety Data Sheet Roccal D Plus. (n.d.).
- Slomka-McFarland, E. (2006). Reptile medicine and surgery (2nd in Mader). Saunders 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.
