how to clean a bird cage

Arguably the worst part of caring for parrots is the regular cage cleaning that is required. At Barton Bird Care we clean a lot of bird cages and have learned a few tips and tricks to make it extra speedy. We have found a system that takes only about five minutes per cage–it can be done! Read on to learn how you can save time and impress your parrots (and guests) with sparkly clean cages.

The first step to a speedy clean is to store your bird cage cleaning supplies together and nearby the bird cages. If you have to go upstairs for the vacuum, to the laundry room for your spray bottle and the linen closet for your cleaning rags you will invest a significant amount of time cleaning before you actually clean anything. Instead, keep all of your supplies grouped together, ideally in the same room that you keep your birds. My cleaning supply corner includes vinegar, a spray bottle, my favorite bird-safe poop cleaner, paper towels, old newspapers and a small shop vacuum.

First things first, remove the bird and the water bowl to avoid sloshing ‘bird soup’ all over your hands while scrubbing. Then, start with the vinegar. I dilute our vinegar with water and add a few drops of essential oil to improve the scent (just shake before using). Spray the grids on the bottom of the cage and any areas of the cage where your parrot has left his mark. Let the vinegar sit for a minute to do its magic. Next, scrub with your favorite sponge or bird-safe poop cleaner. Roll up the newspaper on the bottom of the cage, quickly vacuum any additional parrot debris and disinfect the tray with vinegar. Replace the newspaper in the tray and vacuum the floor. Rotate the parrot toys and perches for extra credit. You are all set!

Another key element of a speedy cage cleaning is the frequency in which you clean the cages. It may seem counterintuitive, but if you clean the cages more often they will be easier to clean and you will spend less time cage cleaning overall. As a bonus your parrots will thank you. We recommend deep cleaning about once a quarter.

Weekly Cleaning

Select a day of the week to finish your weekly cage cleaning tasks. Complying with these duties lessens the possibility that bacteria and other pathogens will settle down with your bird.

• Wash the Cages Tray. The bottom of bird cages has a tray where the cage liners are placed. At minimum once a week, this tray needs to be taken out and cleaned with a moist cloth and cage cleaner. Always make sure the tray is dry before replacing the liners and putting them back in. ??.
• Remove and Scrub the Grate. A grate at the bottom of some bird cages is suspended over the tray, allowing droppings to fall through to the bottom of the cage. Every week, this grate needs to be scrubbed to get rid of any dried droppings that might have accumulated on it. Placing a grate in a bathtub and using a scrub brush to remove waste is the simplest way to clean it. Make sure it is completely dry before putting it back in the cage, just like you should with other cage parts.
• Clean and Change the Perches. Additionally, perches can gather debris and waste, which could serve as a haven for bacteria. Once a week, they should be washed and soaked to get rid of any bacteria that might be hiding from them. It’s a good idea to have a few “back-up” perches on hand because some perches, particularly the wooden ones, take a while to dry after cleaning. Place these in the cage with your birds while the cleaned ones are drying.
• Clean and Rotate Toys. Birds use their mouths to investigate and play with their toys, just like newborn humans do. Any toys in your pet’s cage should be taken out, soaked, and cleaned once a week. Similar to the perches, it could be beneficial to provide your bird with an assortment of toys. In this manner, you can make sure that your bird doesn’t grow bored with his toys by switching them around once a week when you clean.

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

Arguably the worst part of caring for parrots is the regular cage cleaning that is required. At Barton Bird Care we clean a lot of bird cages and have learned a few tips and tricks to make it extra speedy. We have found a system that takes only about five minutes per cage–it can be done! Read on to learn how you can save time and impress your parrots (and guests) with sparkly clean cages.

Keeping your cleaning materials for bird cages close to the cages in one place is the first step towards a quick clean. You’ll spend a lot of time cleaning before you get anything done if you have to go upstairs for the vacuum, to the laundry room for your spray bottle, and to the linen closet for your cleaning rags. Rather, arrange all of your materials in one area, preferably the same space where your birds are kept. My cleaning supply corner has paper towels, old newspapers, vinegar, a spray bottle, and my go-to bird-safe poop cleaner. There’s also a small shop vacuum.

Prior to beginning your cleaning, take out the bird and the water bowl to prevent getting “bird soup” all over your hands. Then, start with the vinegar. To enhance the aroma, I dilute our vinegar with water and add a few drops of essential oil (simply shake before using). Apply the grids to the cage’s bottom and any other areas where your parrot has made his mark. Give the vinegar a minute to work its wonders. Next, scrub with your favorite sponge or bird-safe poop cleaner. In order to quickly remove any more parrot debris from the cage, roll up the newspaper on the bottom, and use vinegar to sanitize the tray. Replace the newspaper in the tray and vacuum the floor. Rotate the parrot toys and perches for extra credit. You are all set!.

The frequency of cage cleaning is another important component of a quick cage cleaning. Although it may seem paradoxical, cleaning the cages more frequently will make them easier to maintain and require less time in total. As a bonus your parrots will thank you. We recommend deep cleaning about once a quarter.

Daily Cleaning

Birds kept in unclean cages are susceptible to a number of serious health issues. Daily cleaning is necessary to reduce your pet’s risk of infection. To maintain the best possible condition for your bird cage, simply follow these instructions every day:

• Change the cage liner. Not only is it uncomfortable, but walking around in dropped food and droppings is unhealthy for birds. Unchanged cage papers can also emit a very unpleasant stench. Make sure to replace the liner in your bird’s cage on a daily basis to prevent these issues.
• Clean Food and Water Dishes. Every day, take out your birds’ food and water bowls and give them a quick wash with a mild dish soap. This will stop any bacteria from growing that might endanger your pet. Before reintroducing them to their cage, make sure you give them a thorough wash and drying.
• Wipe Down Surfaces. Spot clean the cage’s surfaces, such as the bars, perches, and any toys, with a moist cloth or paper towel. To clean stubborn, stuck-on messes, use a bird-safe cage cleaner.

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

FAQ

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