User’s Manual
Fax: (765) 423-4111 . www.lafayetteinstrument.com . [email protected]
Polycarbonate Cleaning Instructions
The life of polycarbonate can be prolonged by following these Usage/Cleaning Instructions.
Care
Contact between animal waste and cages should be kept to a minimum by using a sufficient
quantity of an absorbent bedding material and replacing it with fresh material as often as
possible. Residues left by adhesive tape or writing used for identifying cages can be removed
with ethyl alcohol. Other solvents should not be used. Avoid using felt-tipped pens, as their
solvents can damage plastic.
Cleaning
Plastic spatulas are useful for removing bedding from a cage. Do not bang on cages; banging
cages can weaken them. Wash cages with hot water and detergent (keep the pH of the washing
solution between 4.5- 7.5). Soft water minimizes formation of whitish-grey film on cages that
are washed frequently.
Disinfection
First, check with the disinfectant manufacturer regarding safety of the product for polycarbonate
cages. Many disinfectants have the potential to damage polycarbonate. Never heat cages
wetted with disinfectant materials.
Sterilization
All bedding must be removed from cages prior to thermal sterilization since heat can release
potentially damaging substances from bedding material.
Hot Air Treatment:
Polycarbonate cages are heat stable up to about 250
O
F. Do not exceed that
temperature, and avoid hot air sterilization that permits development of localized hotspots in
excess of 250
O
F.
Steam Treatment:
Polycarbonate cages can be autoclaved at 245
O
-250
O
F. Do not stack cages
in heights exceeding 30 inches. Effective steam sterilization depends upon proper temperature
controls and an adequate steam supply. Alkaline corrosion inhibitors from boiler feed water
may destroy plastic materials or dull the cage surface layer.
Additional Autoclaving Polycarbonate Instructions
1. If cages are washed prior to autoclaving, it is important to be certain no detergent residue
remains on the surfaces. The extreme heat and pressure of autoclaving can cause the
residue to become “baked on” causing a loss of clarity/transparency.
5