Clean cages

Question
My hamster just had babies on the 8th...she decided to put them up in the "petting zone" of the critter trail 2 cage. I was wondering if it would be okay to clean that area, as long as I moved the babies with a spoon or something? It's so incredibly smelly! And also, I've noticed that sometimes when I wake up in the morning, some condensation has appeared on the inside of the petting zone. I've been wiping it off, but I don't know if there's something I can do for this?
My hamster has started to leave her babies for extended periods of time (I'm talking more than an hour) to go down to the bottom part of the cage. Should I be concerned with this? I took out the wheel, and she seems...well, bored.

Thanks!

Answer
Hi Laura,

The babies nor the nest should not be touch for any reason until the babies are at least 2 weeks old (which would be the 22nd). This is when it is safe to handle the babies for a short period of time, long enough for you to clean the cage. For the condensation, try putting the cage in a different location ( not by a window or heater) and see if that helps. The mother will start to leave her babies for longer periods of time has they get older. This is normal. Do not put the wheel back in the cage until it is time to seperate the babies from the mother ( which is at 3 weeks of age). If you do the mother may start ignoring her babies altogether. If you have anymore questions please write again.

Thank you for your question!