Question regarding salamander enclosures

[KBSnakes]

I just bought a few tanks that will be future enclosures for salamanders. I bought them used so the tanks are dirty, one was used to house hampsters and the other for lizards. I was wondering how I needed to clean these since salamanders are so sensitive to chemicals. Should I use soap and water or will this bother them too? Also have Chorhexidine spray I use to clean my snake tanks. Any advice is appreciated!

 

[Kaysie]

Do not use soap. Surfactants, even in trace amounts, can be quite dangerous to salamanders. You can use hot water, 10% bleach solution (although you have to rinse thoroughly), or vinegar, which is similar in effectiveness as bleach, but much safer. Just rinse well, let it dry thoroughly, and you're all ready!

 

[Jan]

And for your reading pleasure, you can review this article from Caudata Culture on disinfecting surfaces:
Caudata Culture Articles - Quarantine and Disinfection

 

[KBSnakes]

Thanks so much! I did google searches all last night andcouldn't seem to find anything!!