How To Clean A Used Bird Cage

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: Dec 24, 2017

: 76

: 0

Parrots: Sunny the blue and gold macaw.

I finally was able to go get the cage I've been eyeing forever. It's massive, and will need to be disassembled to fit through any of the doors. It's used, but in really good shape. My main concern is cleaning it/sanitizing it for Sunny. I know there are some avian diseases that are more easily communicable than others, and I don't want to risk anything. The cage hasn't been used in months, and has a bunch of square wiring that I'm going to remove (old owner used it for smaller birds and zip tied a bunch of grating in there).

What's the best stuff to clean it with? Will dawn and water do, or should I use something else? I did buy a bird cage cleaner spray, which I was going to use last. I guess you let it dry? Sunny is a compulsive bar bender, so I'm concerned about using bleach or any of the other cleaners suggested online.

: Jul 14, 2017

: 2,631

Media: 21

: 77

: Minnesota

Parrots: Cinnamon Green Cheeked Conure CLARK (F) and a Quaker crossover SCUTI (F) and 4 budgies

I'd use bleach water mix. Or better yet go get a bottle of Isopropyl alcohol, wipe everything with that, it will kill 100.9% of anything on it, and will evaporate completely. Then use a mild bleach water sponge bath, rinse clean.

: Jul 12, 2012

: 9,538

: 34

Parrots: 1 BFA- Kiwi. Hatch circa 98', forever home with us Dec. 08'

I would probably do a thorough deep cleaning with a steam cleaner then wipe down with undiluted cleaning-strength vinegar (available in the laundry aisle) OR rubbing alcohol then go through with the steamer again.

Personally, if you have yet to pick-it-up! Take to to one of those You Wash, Car Washes! Set the unit on soap and with the cage parts set along the side walls, start high and work down. Switch over to rise with just water. Use their Vac to clean your vehicle and lay down fresh sheets. Dry the cage with towels and place the original sheet and the drying towels in a large trash bag and wash them when you get home.

Choose the weapon of choice. I like Kiwi's mom's approach. Or, very hot water and Dawn. Steam clearer if you have it is the best! Rise well and towel dry. Wash everything from this step separate from the first load.

If you have bright sunlight, get the cage outside and let the sun do its thing!

Assure that anything inside or on the cage that you will be keeping follows the same path.

Follow a path that will assure that at each step, there will be no cross-contamination from the prior steps.

Have Fun, Enjoy!

: Dec 24, 2017

: 76

: 0

Parrots: Sunny the blue and gold macaw.

Thread Starter
Thread starter
#5

I'd use bleach water mix. Or better yet go get a bottle of Isopropyl alcohol, wipe everything with that, it will kill 100.9% of anything on it, and will evaporate completely. Then use a mild bleach water sponge bath, rinse clean.

I think this is probably the best bet. I bought a bunch of stuff yesterday and will go at it as soon as I can find somewhere to put the hulking thing!

: Dec 24, 2017

: 76

: 0

Parrots: Sunny the blue and gold macaw.

Thread Starter
Thread starter
#6

I would probably do a thorough deep cleaning with a steam cleaner then wipe down with undiluted cleaning-strength vinegar (available in the laundry aisle) OR rubbing alcohol then go through with the steamer again.

I wish I had a steam cleaner! It would make my life so much easier... I might be able to rent one, I'm just not sure if they'd have any here. I was thinking some boiling water might be good, especially toward the bottom of the cage where there would have been droppings.

: Dec 24, 2017

: 76

: 0

Parrots: Sunny the blue and gold macaw.

Thread Starter
Thread starter
#7

Personally, if you have yet to pick-it-up! Take to to one of those You Wash, Car Washes! Set the unit on soap and with the cage parts set along the side walls, start high and work down. Switch over to rise with just water. Use their Vac to clean your vehicle and lay down fresh sheets. Dry the cage with towels and place the original sheet and the drying towels in a large trash bag and wash them when you get home.
Choose the weapon of choice. I like Kiwi's mom's approach. Or, very hot water and Dawn. Steam clearer if you have it is the best! Rise well and towel dry. Wash everything from this step separate from the first load.

If you have bright sunlight, get the cage outside and let the sun do its thing!

Assure that anything inside or on the cage that you will be keeping follows the same path.

Follow a path that will assure that at each step, there will be no cross-contamination from the prior steps.

Have Fun, Enjoy!

This would have been perfect. We had to borrow a truck to get it (on a schedule as well, as she needed it back), so no truck anymore, sadly. I'm trying to figure out how else we can do it, as the outside facets are shut off because they like to burst from the cold and spray water all under the house... It might be warm enough for it to be okay for one day though. The smaller pieces I'm going to clean in the shower. The big pieces look like a gate or something. They're taller than I am!

: May 14, 2016

: 14,191

: 3,336

: Cleveland area

Parrots: The Rickeybird, 37-year-old Patagonian Conure

All great ideas.
May I add one?
If you're in a nice frigid locale like CLEVELAND, leave it out in the 5 degree weather for a while. Surely that kills anything left over.
The poor Rb's cage got an infestation of ROACHES from being shipped in a Uhaul truck many years ago, from New Mexico to Ohio. I tried everything but mannnnnn those Blattodea species are tough! Finally, my Mother suggested wheeling the cage outside. We did. Did my heart good to see those bugs run into the icy weather and freeeeeeeeze mid-stride.

: Dec 24, 2017

: 76

: 0

Parrots: Sunny the blue and gold macaw.

Thread Starter
Thread starter
#9

All great ideas.
May I add one?
If you're in a nice frigid locale like CLEVELAND, leave it out in the 5 degree weather for a while. Surely that kills anything left over.
The poor Rb's cage got an infestation of ROACHES from being shipped in a Uhaul truck many years ago, from New Mexico to Ohio. I tried everything but mannnnnn those Blattodea species are tough! Finally, my Mother suggested wheeling the cage outside. We did. Did my heart good to see those bugs run into the icy weather and freeeeeeeeze mid-stride.

That's amazing! And a great idea, since everything outside turns into an ice cube! I'm glad you were able to get rid of the roaches! Sounds terrible.

: May 10, 2016

: 293

: 6

: Minnesota

Parrots: Black Capped Conure - Sassafras - 2015; GCC Rosalita - 2018; GCC Apple Blossom - 2018

I'm late to the party, but may be in the same situation as the OP soon...maybe.
This is a 2 step deal, right? First, clean. Second, disinfect.

First, Clean: Dawn, hot water; car wash (genius BTW!) All good.

Second, Disinfect: My research so far says water and bleach 10:1. Unless you worry about PBFD then Virkon-S or F10SC. [Update: per Lafeber, bleach works for PBFD https://lafeber.com/vet/wp-content/uploads/PBFD_Klaphake.pdf]

No sources found on Cleveland's frigid winters. I'll keep looking.

Last edited: Mar 13, 2018

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