Sanitizing New Toys

[Cowtown]

How do y'all sanitize new toys. I have soaked them in hot water. Is this enough or is there more I should do?

Thanks
Mike

 

[antoinette]

Mike hi there, how is Abby coming along?
When cleaning Mishka's toys new or old, I rinse them thoroughly in boiling hot water. Always making sure that they are 100% dry before putting them back.
I always fear if using some detergents etc, a small amount may go unnoticed.
I would rather be safe than sorry.

Below is a link explaining exactly how to clean toys using dish soap

http://www.ehow.com/how_5016735_clean-bird-toys.html

 

[AndrewH]

I spray mine with lysol and let it dry thoroughly (you don't want the bird to breath chemical vapors). I know a breeder who was been in business for 30+ years who uses a bleach solution to sanitize cages, toys, etc.

There are probably those who would disagree with using either of these methods, because chemicals are involved.

I think there are trade-offs involved with sanitizing. Birds are sensitive to chemicals, but they also can catch common bacterial infections (strep) and viruses (common cold). Food dishes, toys, perches, grates are all perfect cultures for growing bacteria. Water will not kill bacteria (220f for a period of time would work, but not hot tap water)...it will probably help it grow.

I think there are other threads on here that discuss sanitizing, in general. I'd be curious to read what others think.

 

[Spiritbird]

Mike a very easy way is to just run them through the dishwasher. I do not think you can sanatize them but just keep them clean. I even run the rope perches through the dishwasher. Never do I use bleach or Lysol. With just one bird as we both have I prefer the DW.

 

[Cowtown]

Thanks to all.... I will do the dishwasher thing... I need to clean her perches also..

I will take all but one out and run them through the dishwasher tonight when it is bed time. Do ya''ll clean them by themselves or with you regular dishes?

Ant... Abby is doing good.... she is stepping up in her cage with no problems..

She is just chirping away. I am trying to figure out how to record a CD from my computer of my voice and add a couple of songs for her to listen to when I go back to work on Monday... it will be a change for her and the other animals... I will have to leave by 6 am and won't get home until 4:30 or 5 pm depending on traffic. It is 30 miles to my work...

Mike..

 

[AndrewH]

That's a great idea for the rope perches...I'll do that too.

 

[Spiritbird]

Mike I just put the bird things in the DW by themselves. I also set it to dry with the heat. It is easy, efficient and effective.

 

[Bobby34231]

I usually soak toys in Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) and water overnight, for wood perches I use GSE, perch scrapper and stiff nylon brush and let air dry.

 

[AndrewH]

Though using chems has been infrequent, I think it woud be best to discontinue.

 

[JawzX]

I rinse new toys in water, let them dry, then soak them down with GSE and water from a spray bottle and let them dry again. I do the same with cleaning old stuff, scrubbing where needed... Wish I had a dishwasher

 

[Von1983]

I use boiling hot water and a tiny touch of Baby Steriliser.

When we got Boots we nearly lost her....she got very sick (she's FINE now lol....some might say too fine!!!)

I asked the vet how to make sure everything was clean but without too much chemical.

He said all pets benefit from this as it's very mild and leaves no residue.

Have to say it works very well. Tip for those with doggies - excellent for kitchen floor tiles!!!

 

[antoinette]

Thanks to all.... I will do the dishwasher thing... I need to clean her perches also..

I will take all but one out and run them through the dishwasher tonight when it is bed time. Do ya''ll clean them by themselves or with you regular dishes?

Ant... Abby is doing good.... she is stepping up in her cage with no problems..

She is just chirping away. I am trying to figure out how to record a CD from my computer of my voice and add a couple of songs for her to listen to when I go back to work on Monday... it will be a change for her and the other animals... I will have to leave by 6 am and won't get home until 4:30 or 5 pm depending on traffic. It is 30 miles to my work...

Mike..

Glad Abby is being a good girl, you have done yourself proud Mike.

Mike the procedure is actually quite simply to make a cd.
Do you have a voice recorder and Windows media player, on your computer?, if so record whatever you want to.
Give the file a name eg: Abby's cd. It should be saved in Documents.
Go into documents, then send it to Windows Media player.
Save it in Windows Media player, the burn it onto a cd.
Need any further assistance please just ask okay
mwah