A couple months ago I took the trim trax out of the wheel and soaked them in vinegar water because they were filthy. After leaving them to soak for a few days, I scrubbed the filthy spots with a toothbrush and put them back in the wheel so they would dry flat. Later the next day I put the wheel back in the girls cage. Today is time to clean the cage again and I noticed that one of the sections of sandpaper cloth is being ripped apart again by the girls nails

I took a couple pieces of it out, and they all feel flimsy, like they got filthy and have been in their for years. Is there something else I should clean them in instead of vinegar water? How long do these typically last? We've had our wheel about 9 months, and the trim trax about 7. That seems kind of a short life to me.

They're really just fine grade sandpaper. Replacements can be purchased where you ordered your wheel (I'm only assuming Stealth or Raptor type...maybe you have something else?) I just took one of the new ones to the hardware store and matched it up to a fine grade of sandpaper (very fine). Mine really only last about a month, and that's with one good hosing down and scrubbing of them while in the wheel at 2 weeks.

So you don't take them out to wash them? You just leave them in? Mine are certainly looking like they need to be replaced.

I use a raptor wheel.

Thanks Blue!

I replace my trim trax every time I do a complete hose down (today was one of those days). It usually ends up being every month to two months. It really depends on how much of a mess they make. If my babies have joeys, I will take the trim trax off and wash them ( that way they are not too abrasive for the joeys), otherwise, I just replace with new ones.

The trim traxs use sandpaper, I just purchased some sandpaper and some gutter guard couple days ago (wanted to make my trim trax longer around the wheel), from everything I read I went with 320 waterproof sandpaper and so far no issues some people use 400. Personally I couldn't see the sandpaper lasting longer than a month with my two.

Yep, pretty much all that our friends said above. I do wash it once at 2 weeks in and then replace it 2 weeks after (basically once a month). I don't take it out when I wash it, I use a bristle brush to scrub the wheel and all of it's crevices which catch plenty of nasty stuff too. But, mine it mounted to the side of the cage so it is more convenient for me to do it this way. Some have the platform so that the wheel sits at the bottom of the cage. Just personal preference on that part. :)