Many guinea pig owners are beginning to discover the use of fleece in their cages rather than bedding. It sounds a little ridiculous right? Not as much as one may think. Fleece is a unique material, as when it is washed and dried several times, liquid can actually pass straight through the fabric rather than be absorbed into the fleece itself. This leaves the surface of the fleece dry and comfortable for several days, depending on how many piggies may be living together.  

There are many benefits that come from using fleece rather than bedding. Here is a list of some: 

1. Hello?! It saves money! Instead of buying bag after bag of wood shavings, buy a couple separate yards of fleece, and they can be washed and reused as much as desired. 
2. There are tons of different colors and patterns to choose from, and piggies enjoy the color it adds to their home, some even "popcorning" when their fleece is changed to a new design.
3. Cleaning the cage will be much easier, as all that is needed is spot cleaning throughout the week, and a load of laundry at the end of the week. 
4. The cage will appear much more tidy and clean, not to mention stylish. 
5. The soft material of fleece is very easy on piggies' feet, and comfortable as well. 
6. If the fleece is properly cleaned and well maintained, it can reduce the smell of the cage altogether. 

One common misconception people make about fleece is that it can just be simply bought and placed in the cage without preparation beforehand. This is very untrue. 

Once you have purchased your fleece, the first thing you need to do is wash and dry it at least 3 times with a mild detergent. Do not use fabric softener, as this will prevent the fleece from being able to wick at all.  

Now that you have washed and dried your fleece 3 times you are ready to begin layering. As I have mentioned before, liquid will pass straight through the fabric leaving the fleece dry to the touch, but this doesn't mean the liquid disappears out of nowhere. You need to have something underneath the fleece to catch the liquid. 

There are a lot of options for layers below the fleece. Many people use old towels, puppy training pads, mattress pads, or newspaper. I personally feel that using towels is the best choice. Old towels are free, and can be washed and reused as often as the fleece itself. Newspaper can tend to absorb the liquid too quickly and actually stick to the fleece, which will produce odor faster and leave you with a bigger mess. Puppy pads work great for absorption, but can get pricey. I have never used mattress pads personally, but I hear good things about them. 

When you layer your materials in the bottom of your cage, use one layer of fleece, and at least 2 layers of towels, puppy pads, etc. Using two layers of fleece would not be a good idea, because you want the liquid to pass through the fleece quickly and effectively, which can prove hard if it has to pass through more than one layer. Start from the bottom laying your lower layers first, and then finally your fleece on top. 

Though it is rare, guinea pigs can be trained to use a litter box. If your piggie is not one of the lucky minority, having a litter box in the kitchen area is a good option. Find a small litter box or shallow rectangular bin that is big enough for the guinea pig to comfortably stand and eat, and place it under your hayrack on one end of the cage. Guinea pigs generally like to do their business where they eat, as well as in corners. Most of the solid waste will be left in the box, which can then be cleaned out as often as desired. The remaining waste that is left astray throughout the cage can be spot cleaned once or twice a day. 

Avoid These Types of Litter/Bedding:

1. Cedar bedding. This is very dangerous. It can cause respiratory problems and allergies and is not good for the guinea pigs at all.  
2. Clay-based or clumping cat litter. Guinea pigs are very curious and like to eat everything, and once this type of litter gets wet, it sticks together or expands. It's not hard to figure out what that can do to a guinea's insides.
3. Sawdust. It is very bad for piggies' lungs. 
4. Newspaper with a lot of print or ink. It is also too absorbent and can be smelly or messy. 

1. Paper-based bedding. Not only is it completely safe for the guinea pigs, it is eco-friendly.
2. Pellet bedding
3. Aspen or pine bedding (pine must be aired out or it can be dangerous)
4. Make your own with shredded plain paper or newspaper with very limited ink. 

Now that your fleece is placed with the bottom layers in your cage, you are ready to start saving money and enjoying the clean and improved look of your guinea's home. This fleece can be washed as often as desired, but generally once a week is fine.

A good idea when using fleece for bedding is to buy a small vacuum or a hand broom with a dust pan, as they both work very well for spot cleaning the cage throughout the week. Enjoy!