[AubieBird]

I have been using Poop-Off to clean my birds' cages each week since I got them about 2 years ago. I also clean/disinfect the cages thoroughly outdoors in the summer with a diluted bleach solution.

Is there something else that I can clean with weekly that would be safe for the birds but also remove the poop easily and disinfect at the same time? Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Also, the Poop-Off is expensive and I would love something cheaper......oh, yes....what about vinegar and water; will that do the trick of cleaning poop easily and disinfect at the same time?

 

[Mythara]

I use vinegar and water and haven't had any problems with it. =)

 

[Kate]

There is really no such thing as removing poop and disinfecting at the same time. Nearly all disinfectants are inactivated when any organic material is present. You need to remove the poop and have the cage visibly clean before using a disinfectant.

Having said that, disinfectants should only be used when needed, when there is a disease outbreak. The build-up of most infectious agents can be controlled by simply washing with hot water and a good detergent. The old saying 'disinfection is 99% elbow grease and 1% chemicals is very true. That and putting the cage out in the sun to dry are very true as sunlight will actually kill a host of bacteria.

Some people also think when disinfecting that a stronger solution will be more effective when in actual fact the reverse is usually the case.

Also any disinfectant solution must be in contact with the area to be disinfected for 15 to 30 minutes to be effective. Once this time has passed you must thoroughly rinse the area or you risk harming your birds.

My advice is that you don't need to be buying the expensive poop off (which is probably only a detergent anyway). Most cages pull apart and fold up, simply soak the cage in hot water and detergent and scrub any area with poop build up with a scourer or a brush. Rinse the cage and sit in the sun to dry. The re-assemble the cage and put the birds back in along with perches and toys that have been cleaned the same way. There is really no need to use a disinfectant unless you have disease present.

As a note this is information from one of the top Avian Vets in Australia.

 

[Jenny]

vinegar and water works for me to sanitize on occasion - I only use the poop-off wipes for Goober's cage because it weighs 50 lbs and is upstairs usually I just take the cages outside, hose it really good on high pressure settings, let it air dry, and voila done! I use vinegar and hot water once every 2 weeks

 

[Sensfan]

I use Grapefruit Seed Extract. It's expensive but because you only need a few drops for a jug of water it goes a long way.

 

[CrashSmAshley]

Lots of good ideas on here :thumbsup:

 

[Ella]

I use vinegar and water on the birds cages every week or so. It works for me!

I just usually scrub the perches with really hot water. I've been told that a lot of boiling water kills most germs.

 

[Sensfan]

I use vinegar and water on the birds cages every week or so. It works for me!

I just usually scrub the perches with really hot water. I've been told that a lot of boiling water kills most germs.

If you put a 'dash' of apple cider vinegar in the hot water it is even better.
I fill a spray bottle with filtered water, add GSE, spray and rinse with hot water. I use it on the floor, the walls, the cage and all the things in the cages. I have two sets of water and pellet dishes and I change them every day, spray the used ones and let them sit for a while and then rinse. Don't know if it removes stains though it certainly makes my stainless steel sink shiny. :yesnod:

I can't wash the cages outside for six months a year due to the weather so I do allot of cleaning often.