Cleaning and tidying is a big part of hamster owning. Some people, such as myself, love it, and some… not so much. Whether you’re a neat freak or a cleaning procrastinator, these budget-friendly supplies and tips should make the cleaning and tidying process more efficient.

A Mini Broom/Dustpan Set

Mini broom and dustpan sets are very useful for sweeping off platforms and scooping out soiled substrate quickly without getting your hands dirty.

These little sets can be found pretty much everywhere, but if you’re looking for something cheap, make a beeline for your nearest dollar store.

I purchased my mini broom and dustpan set from Dollarama for $1.50.

If you can, try to find one with a small broom and a large dustpan; this will make sweeping little spaces easier and scooping out large amounts of bedding quicker (thanks to ErinsAnimals for that tip).

White Vinegar

White vinegar is really handy to have around for cleaning. It’s cheaper than specifically made pet cage cleaners, while accomplishing the same task of sterilizing without posing any risk to your hamster.

When using white vinegar with animals, it should be diluted with water. How much you dilute it is based on personal preference. I would recommend doing at least a 50/50 water/vinegar ratio so the vinegar isn’t ridiculously strong.

Even diluted, vinegar has a semi-strong odor.

To use the vinegar/water cleaner simply spray or wipe down the items you’re cleaning or douse the items with the solution. Let the items sit for a couple minutes, rinse with water, and dry with a cloth or allow them to air dry.

A jug of white vinegar can be purchased at Dollarama for about $2, or pretty much anywhere else for a few extra bucks.

A Spray Bottle

This might seem somewhat strange, but spray bottles are really useful for cleaning pet supplies.

I like to put things that need cleaning in my shower, spray them with vinegar/water, rinse them, and let them air dry all in one place. It’s super easy.

I myself have a ‘Professional Spray Bottle’ from Dollarama which you can purchase for $2 or $3. They can also be ordered online or found in most stores with a cleaning supply isle (Walmart comes to mind).

Baby Wipes

Baby wipes are basically the simple, less extreme version of vinegar. They don’t kill as much bacteria, which is fine for those little spot cleans.

… they kinda smell nice, too.

Baby wipes can be purchased in most Pharmacies or grocery stores for around $5.

A Vacuum

You know when you’re done scooping out all the substrate from your hamster’s cage and you realize there’s still a tonnnn of dust and poop in the cage base that your trusty broom can’t get? Never fear, the vacuum is here!

This item will most likely cost nothing since most people already have one. Of course, a hand-held vacuum or one with a nozzle will work best, so if you don’t own one of those they can be purchased for…. (I googled price average)….

I’d try to live without one.

Unless you have $50-$100 for a vacuum.

Conclusion

Okay with the exception of the vacuum (seriously, $50??), you can purchase all these supplies for under $10 if you scope out the dollar store.

I hope this post provided some ideas for how to find and use some super budget-friendly cleaning supplies, so you can cheaply and efficiantly care for your pet.

If you’re interested in more hamster-related content be sure to like this post and follow the blog, and I’ll be back on Tuesday with more small pet care, DIYs, recipes, cage setups, stories and more, have a ham-tastic day!