Just like with any pet you own, reptiles tend to make a mess of their living space. This is why consistent maintenance is important: changing the substrate, cleaning the decorations, and occasionally cleaning the glass of your reptile’s terrarium.
Your terrarium glass will collect calcium and other minerals over time, leaving white streaks all over the glass. Once dried, this can become a bit more difficult to clean than just wiping it with a wet cloth. Luckily, there are many great products that make it easy to clean your terrarium glass.
How to Clean Reptile Tank Glass Using Home Ingredients
If you don’t feel like buying a terrarium glass cleaner, you can always make your own at home with a few simple ingredients. You will need the following:
- A sponge (cloth works as well)
- White vinegar
- Lemon juice
Start by combining an equal amount of water and vinegar. The amount of each that you use will depend on how much you need. Use as much or as little as you want.
After that, add in a small amount of lemon juice. Lemon juice is a great natural cleaner, and helps make the terrarium smell a bit nicer once clean.
Now that your solution is made, you can get to work scrubbing. Use your sponge or cloth to scrub the terrarium glass using your solution. Scrub the glass using small, soft circles – you shouldn’t need to press too hard.
Tip: If the calcium isn’t wiping away easily, try slowly adding more vinegar to your solution.
Once your terrarium glass is clean and clear, be sure to give it all a thorough rinse to remove any trace of your cleaning solution.
If there is any remaining scum or hard-to-remove substances, you can scrape them away using a pocket knife or clean razor blade. Just be careful not to cut yourself!
Our Favorite Terrarium Glass Cleaners
If you find yourself cleaning your reptile’s enclosure frequently, then you may be better off just stocking up on terrarium cleaners that you can buy online. Luckily, there are many great cleaning products sold directly by online reptile stores, as well as huge marketplaces like Amazon and Walmart.
Below are some of the terrarium glass cleaners that we recommend.
Best Value: Absolutely Clean Terrarium Cleaner & Deodorizer
This natural enzyme formula works fast to remove stubborn stains on your terrarium walls. It’s simple to use and can help you obtain a clean terrarium in as little as 5 minutes. You can buy it in 16 ounce, 32 ounce, or 128 ounce bottles, and it’s by far the best price deal you will find for an effective and pet-safe cleaner.
You can also subscribe and receive scheduled deliveries to save extra money, however, this is only available for the 16 ounce bottle.
Pros
- Veterinarian approved
- Made in the USA
- Free returns if you’re unsatisfied
Cons
- Subscription only available for smallest size
Highest-Rated: Oxyfresh Premium Terrarium Cleaner
Customers have had nothing but good things to say about the terrarium cleaner produced by Oxyfresh. With a solid 4.5 star rating, you can trust that this cleaner will get the job done.
This solution is eco-friendly and non-toxic, making it extremely safe to use for your reptile’s terrarium. It leaves behind a natural fresh smell as well, and doesn’t use any added fragrances to try and cover up scents.
You can also save 10-15% by subscribing for this cleaner.
Pros
- Free of bleach, fragrances, dyes & other harsh chemicals
- Made in the USA
- Safe to use around all reptile pets
Cons
- Only one size option available
Best for Strong Odors: Wipeout Reptile Terrarium Cleaner (32oz)
If you’re dealing with strong odors, or have an excessive build-up of calcium on your terrarium walls, then we’d recommend buying Wipeout’s reptile terrarium cleaner.
This cleaner is one of the stronger ones on the market, and is very effective with ensuring that your terrarium is clean. It’s been proven to be effective with reducing the spread of bacterial infections within the animals living in the enclosure.
Just be sure not to return your pets to their terrarium until it has been thoroughly rinsed and dried. Some of the ingredients used may be harmful to your pet if any is left behind in the enclosure.
Pros
- Extremely effective for removing foul odors
- Great value for its quality
Cons
- Can be harmful to pets in contact
Always Keep Your Terrarium Clean
Aside from just cleaning the terrarium glass, it’s critical to keep everything in your pet’s enclosure clean. This is the best and most effective way to ensure that they live a happy and healthy life. This includes cleaning everything, such as:
- Terrarium walls
- Substrate
- Decorations
- Food & water dishes
- Hiding places
Luckily, there are many great cleaning supplies out there to help you keep a clean terrarium. If you’re looking for more info, then check out our page dedicated to teaching you about the various reptile cleaning supplies.
Reptile Cleaning Supplies
