Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

First - if you are looking for a fleece to use for bedding and you've been searching and searching - you can stop now. You have found what you need! Read below for my cleaning routine. I have 2 guinea pigs in a midwest cage (yes I know, they will be getting an upgrade soon). I think it does a great just absorbing urine, it never feels wet. I think it controls odor well. It fits perfectly and it's very soft. My piggies do not use the fleece pocket, but I have certainly seen reviews where pigs love it. I shake it out everyday. KEEPING IT CLEAN: 1. You have to wash in cold water. Not warm water, COLD water. Seriously, otherwise it shrinks. 2. I use a plain unscented detergent. No fabric softener. Works great. 3. Before putting it in the washer, shake it out thoroughly. GuineaDad recommends vacuuming it first to remove fur, loose hay and stubborn poo. I found vacuuming it to be really annoying (probably not so bad if you have another person to hold it down) so I use a lint roller. I go over it a few times and it works great. 4. I wash it by itself (or with other fleeces) - I set it to 'presoak' so the fleece really absorbs the detergent - bulky/sheets setting, so it spins it real good and comes out dryer. I'm sure you could wash it with other things no problem, I just don't. 4. This is important. The fleece loses it shape when exposed to heat. So no hot water and a very low heat tumble dry (and no dryer sheets!). This also means you don't get the disinfecting qualities of washing something really hot. I really think it is important to use either undiluted white vinegar OR lysol laundry disinfectant. Since you are reusing the fleece you really want to prevent lingering bacteria - if your household has ever survived a 'ringworm plague' you know what I'm talking about. I'm really happy I made this purchase. Yes it's expensive upfront but when you think of how much you save on bedding...you just can't beat it.