Sanitizing cages/toys/supplies?

[Vilatus]

Hi everybody!

I'm curious as to how you guys sanitisize your cages/toys as well as the supplies you use to clean them. Personally I use a toothbrush, dish brush, and chore boys. I usually just wash them thoroughly with mild dish soap and water. I want to know if anybody has any other better ideas though, cause sometimes that doesn't necessarily feel like it's enough... any suggestions?

Also on another note, does anybody know if it's safe for my birds to chew newspaper and mail ads? My budgie is chewing me out of house and home with wood toys.

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[Oliver17]

How about a cardboard box?

 

[MooshieBird]

For heavy cleaning bleach water mix then rinsed thoroughly with a power washer. Air dry then power wash again. For daily/light cleaning, white vinegar and water solution and a sponge.

 

[bill_e]

This is what I use

F10SCFD

 

[Vilatus]

Super paranoid about the bleach, but if I need to I'll use it. For the vinegar- is that safe if my birds were to ingest some? Like say they lick a cage bar that I got it on?

 

[Vilatus]

Do you know if this leaves any sort of residue that would be dangerous for them? Definitely considering it though...

 

[UlyBirb]

Rubbing alcohol can also be used! It evaporates quickly and then just give the cage a good rinse and you’re good to go

 

[Vilatus]

Rubbing alcohol can also be used! It evaporates quickly and then just give the cage a good rinse and you’re good to go

Would that damage the cage over time though??? That's a good idea though, it wouldn't leave a ton of residue.

 

[Kiwibird]

I spot clean a lot, especially around his dish where he likes to wipe his potty beak on the bars, with a vinegar/water solution. I use a paint scraper on dried poo and this cleaning brush on the grate made for cleaning hamster cages. I use a steam cleaner for a more thorough cleaning/sanitizing about every month-every other month. I wash toys under hot water in the sink.

 

[Kiwibird]

Do you know if this leaves any sort of residue that would be dangerous for them? Definitely considering it though...

No, vinegar is not dangerous to parrots. In fact, I put a couple drops of apple cider vinegar in Kiwi's water dish every once in a while for an infusion of healthy probiotics and immune support.

 

[Vilatus]

Do you know if this leaves any sort of residue that would be dangerous for them? Definitely considering it though...

No, vinegar is not dangerous to parrots. In fact, I put a couple drops of apple cider vinegar in Kiwi's water dish every once in a while for an infusion of healthy probiotics and immune support.

Oh, wonderful! Its so hard finding supplies that I can use that aren't toxic. I'll go pick up a bottle later tonight!

 

[UlyBirb]

Rubbing alcohol can also be used! It evaporates quickly and then just give the cage a good rinse and you’re good to go

Would that damage the cage over time though??? That's a good idea though, it wouldn't leave a ton of residue.

Not that I know of! I use it on my canary cage and haven’t had any problems

 

[Kiwibird]

Do you know if this leaves any sort of residue that would be dangerous for them? Definitely considering it though...

No, vinegar is not dangerous to parrots. In fact, I put a couple drops of apple cider vinegar in Kiwi's water dish every once in a while for an infusion of healthy probiotics and immune support.

Oh, wonderful! Its so hard finding supplies that I can use that aren't toxic. I'll go pick up a bottle later tonight!

White vinegar is the best for cleaning. You can find cleaning strength white vinegar (with a higher acidity than for food) in the cleaning isle usually near laundry detergents. I usually mix about 50/50 with water in a spray bottle.

If you do choose to put a drop or 2 of apple cider vinegar in the water (should not be given daily), make sure it's organic and WITH the "mother" (i.e. chunks floating in it of the healthy bacteria-rich culture).

 

[Carl_Power]

Hot soapy water and a scouring sponge and brush to clean Xanders cage every 4 days and then a rinse with water using a cloth. Thats all you need to clean a cage really. I spot clean daily too with poop wipes or even the wet wipes for baby's, oderless ones are completely safe and cheap.

Wood things i scrub with a hard brush using soap too so i could use tips on this and rope things get soaked in the sink or go in the washer.

I dont really buy into many commercial cleaning products. Soap and elbow was how i was raised but im here to be educated too x

 

[Vilatus]

Hot soapy water and a scouring sponge and brush to clean Xanders cage every 4 days and then a rinse with water using a cloth. Thats all you need to clean a cage really. I spot clean daily too with poop wipes or even the wet wipes for baby's, oderless ones are completely safe and cheap.

Wood things i scrub with a hard brush using soap too so i could use tips on this and rope things get soaked in the sink or go in the washer.

I dont really buy into many commercial cleaning products. Soap and elbow was how i was raised but im here to be educated too x

That's all I do normally as well. I'm just concerned about any residual bacteria, because my family isn't as religious about washing their hands after handling the birds/their things.

Yeah, that's how I was raised as well, at least in terms of pet care. Seems to have worked well so far haha

 

[Carl_Power]

It does work. Most products are just marketed crap in all honesty. A little white vinegar maybe every 3 month. Take the cage apart and scrub it all but soapy water is fine. Just rinse it off with water after and your fine.

Its more about cleaning regular. If you leave your cage for 3 week without cleaning it then you will need special bacteria removers but if you do it once twice a week and spot clean then your ok x