Translated by Nick R
Cleaning your pet birds’ cage becomes an important part of their care routines and does not necessarily have to be a difficult task. You’ll see how you can make your cage sparkling clean with just a couple of grooming tools. Let us explain here how to do it step by step.
Table of Contents
Why do you have to clean your bird’s cage?
The cage is where your bird performs all its activities, eating, playing, grooming, and pooping so it’s natural for debris to accumulate after some time of use. Therefore, cleaning it is necessary not only for its appearance but also to ensure its good health since dirt can be a source of infections.
What do you need to clean the bird cage?
The elements you need for cleaning are:
- Water
- Mild dish soap
- Brush
- Sponge
- Absorbent towels or kitchen towels
Disinfectants to facilitate cleaning
- Bleach
- Apple cider vinegar
- Baking soda and lemon mixture
On each cleaning step we’ll show you how to use them, and keep in mind that in some stores you can find safe soaps for pets that don’t contain synthetic additives, chemicals, and dyes that can be toxic for our friends.
Steps to clean your bird’s cage
1. Get the bird and accessories out of the cage
Before starting the cleaning, take the bird out of the cage and place it in a good place where it is not exposed to the strong odors of some of the cleaning products, in another room is ideal.
You can have an extra cage for this type of cleaning as it can take a long time and it is not convenient for it to spend time in a place the bird is not accustomed to.
You also want to have extra waterers and feeders to place in the cage while you finish the cleaning.
2. Clean the feeders and drinkers
| Frequency | Every day |
| Necessary tools | – Water- Dish soap- Sponge- Absorbent towel |
| How to do it? | Wash the feeder and drinker as you would do with any kitchen utensil, wiping the used surface with a damp, soapy sponge and rinsing with plenty of water until there are no traces of soap. Once clean, dry them with the absorbent towel and wait for the moisture to disappear before using them again. |
3. Change the liner or newspaper
Cleaning the cage liner is also a daily chore, consisting of replacing the newspaper or polyester liner (which can be replaced over a longer period of time) for new ones.
Some owners use to leave several papers on top of the base to save the work of changing it constantly. But in this case you must check that the humidity of the bird’s droppings and some seeds or feathers haven’t passed to the other layers.
Making this cleansing not only will help to keep your bird’s environment in good condition, but you will also be able to check for warning signs of any health anomalies, such as:
- The aspect of their droppings, if their color has changed or they are wetter than usual.
- The consumption of seeds, if they are being eaten properly or are being thrown away intact. Only you will notice this if you know your bird’s habits.
- Traces of regurgitated food.
- If the feather traces in the cage are the usual ones, outside of molting times.
4. Clean the tray
| Suggested frequency | At least one a week based on the number of birds. |
| Necessary tools | – Damp cloth- Water- Soap- Brush |
| How to do it? | You will have to wipe the tray with a damp cloth when there are no traces of residues such as seeds, excrement, and feathers. In case there is solid residue you can scrub the tray using soapy water and a brush. |
The tray is where some owners place the liner, it is usually located under the grid at the base of the cage.
Once clean, you can wipe it with a little disinfectant: leave it for 5 to 10 minutes and remove it.
Remember to let it dry completely before putting a new liner on it to avoid moisture accumulation.
5. Clean and disinfect the accessories
| Suggested frequency | Once a week |
| Cleaning recipe | – Water, soap, and brush- Mix leach and water- Mix Apple vinegar and water |
| How to do it? | Apply one of the recommended mixtures to the accessories and let them clean and sanitize the accessories. Remember to let them in the open air or in the sun to avoid moisture or odor on the accessories. |
The exercise and play equipment such as swings, coat racks, and ladders should be removed weekly to be washed to prevent the accumulation of dirt, in which case it will be much more difficult to clean them.
There are three ways to clean the accessories of your cage:
Water, soap, and brush.
This will only be necessary in cases when there are droppings and dirt crusts on the accessories that may be difficult to remove with a damp cloth. You can use hot soapy water to facilitate cleaning.
Mixing bleach and water
A good way to make a disinfectant at home is by combining bleach and water, although you must be cautious with the amounts as it can be toxic to your bird if applied directly to its accessories.
I recommend mixing a liter of water and half a cup of bleach; this mixture will serve to disinfect things after cleaning with soap and water.
Note: Try to always check the percentage of chlorine and the recommendations label on the bleach to know the exact measures to dilute it and create a good surface disinfectant.
Apple cider vinegar and water mixture
Vinegar is known for its disinfectant potential, you can use it to apply directly on fixtures with a damp cloth or dilute it with two cups of water to one cup of vinegar to reduce its odor, as it is quite strong.
6. Clean the cage with soap and water
| Suggested frequency | Monthly; according to the number of birds and the size of the cage. |
| Necessary tools | – Soft detergent or non-toxic for birds- Warm water- Brush |
| How to do it? | Use the brush and the soap and water mixture to scrub the cage, especially in the nooks and crannies where dust, feathers, or food debris may accumulate. Once done, rinse off excess soap with water and blot the excess moisture with an absorbent towel or rag and allow to air dry. |
7. Disinfect the cage
You can disinfect the cage in the same way as with the accessories, applying the same solutions and letting them act for a prudent time until they are dry.
Another alternative to bleach or vinegar is a mix of three cups of hot water, three tablespoons of baking soda, and three tablespoons of lemon. Remember to dilute the mixture very well and use gloves to apply it or spray it.
8. Let it dry
Let the cage dry before putting your birds back in it; you can leave it in the sun for a while.
9. Don’t forget to clean the surroundings
Unless you have a cover for your bird’s cage to catch the bird’s seeds and feathers, you need to sweep or vacuum the floor to clean the dust accumulated there.
Last recommendations
Remember that every element used (brushes, sponges, and towels) must be disinfected or changed for new ones, and try to have an exact utensil for the cleaning of each element of the cage.
As always, your bird’s well-being and happiness will depend on the care we give it, and cleaning is one of the many gifts of care that we can give them.
You can take a look at other blogs that will surely help you in the care of your bird, see you next time.
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- 3 Types of Ideal Bird Cages
- 11 Must-Have Accessories for Your Bird Cage
