I think that the tea tree/lavender cage cleaner sounds terrific for your
ferrets!  Could you tell us where you got it?
 
I make a soap (hand/face soap) with tea tree/lavender, and the people who
use it tell me they love it!  (I don't run a soap business; it's just a
hobby).  Anyway, here is some info.  on tea tree/lavender which I put
together as a little insert which I include with my soaps.  As you can see,
both essential oils have other potential medicinal uses for humans and
ferrets.  They are also two of the few essential oils which can be used
neat (undiluted) directly on the skin (although only on unbroken skin, and
in small amounts!)
 
The insert says:
 
Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca Alternifolia)-
 
The Melaleuca Tree, which grows in a limited area of New South Wales, has
been used by the Aborigines for centuries for its therapeutic properties.
Like Aloe Vera only more versatile, Melaleuca Oil, or Tea Tree Oil as it
is sometimes referred to, has properties that include being a powerful
antiseptic, antifungal and antiviral.
 
The therapeutic value of Melaleuca Oil was first documented by Dr.. A. R.
Penfold in 1922.  The key to tea tree's medicinal effectiveness is the ratio
of two chemical constituents present in the oil: cineole and terpin.  Used
extensively by Australian troops during World War II, the excitement of
Melaleuca was shortly thereafter overshadowed by synthetically produced
medicines such as penicillin.
 
Tea tree oil is good for acne, cold sores, warts and burns, and is ideal
for vaporising to kill germs.  Current medical research involves uses of
Melaleuca in treating AIDS-related illnesses.
 
Source:  Leaves and stems, Australia
Production Method:  Steam Distillation
Skin Type:  Oily, Blemished
Aroma Type:  Camphoraceous, spicy, medicinal
Traditional Use:  Insect repellant, antiseptic
Main Constituents:  Terminene-4-ol, cineol, pinene, terpines, cymene
 
Sources:  http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/4085/mel.html
          http://www.fragrant.demon.co.uk/main.html
 
Lavender (Lavandula officinalis) -
 
This English garden herb is highly regarded for its classic fragrance in
soap, and potpourris, but lavender is also an important medicinal herb.
 
Originally, the oil from the flower was used to protect cloths and stored
linens from moths.  It was, and is, used as a scent in air fresheners.  Oil
distilled from the flower has applications as a stimulant, tonic, headache
relief, and for relief of intestinal gas.  It is also used to quiet coughs
and disinfect wounds.
 
Lavender oil provides relief from neuralgic pains, rheumatism, sprains, and
sore joints.  It calms or stimulates according to your body's needs, and is
excellent for refreshing tired muscles, feet and hands.  Treats burns and
reduces scarring.  Can be used neat (undiluted) in small amounts on burns,
but care still needs to be taken.
 
Source:  Flowering Tops, France
Production Method:  Distillation
Skin Type:  Sensitive, all skin types
Aroma Type:  Herbaceous, floral
Traditional Use:  Muscle relaxant, soothing agent, skin conditioner,
astringent
Main constituents:  Linalol, linalyl acetate, lavandulol, lavandulyl
acetate, terpineol, limonene, caryophyllene
 
Sources: http://www.kcweb.com/herb/lavender.htm1
         http://www.fragrant.demon.co.uk/main.html
[Posted in FML issue 2327]