Cage Washing Machines

Laboratory animal facilities have a responsibility to provide appropriate housing and environment for the species housed. This includes the regular cleaning and sanitizing of primary enclosures to reduce waste buildup, minimize potential for disease, and maintain high standards of animal welfare. The frequency in which this occurs is determined by the institution in accordance with the corresponding laws and regulations that apply to that institution’s animal care and use program. 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 Each program will also develop the appropriate washing procedures and determine based on the size of the facility and the species housed, what is the best method for washing. This could include hand-washing, commercial cage washers, and even robotic integration, and may involve transporting cages to a dedicated cage washing area or washing the cages in the housing room. The focus of this chapter will be on the washing equipment that is commonly used in a dedicated cage washing area to clean and sanitize cages and other equipment used in the facility. In addition to reviewing the three main types of washers, cabinet, rack, and tunnel, the chapter will introduce common equipment options, typical wash cycles, and operator interactions. Other types of washing and sanitizing equipment such as bottle washers and automatic water line flushing stations are covered in Chapters 12 and 13 respectively.