Introduction
Keeping different kinds of birds around your home can be a good hobby. Birds, depending on the species, are rally great pets to have because of how different their personalities can be and how affectionate they can be as companions for any kind of owner. And if you love your birds, you would not want anything harming them, don’t you?
In that regard, your birds’ health is of the utmost importance when it comes to making sure that they stay safe no matter what you are doing. After all, you will always want to maximize their lifespan. That means that you should make sure that their habitat stays sanitary to decrease the likelihood of diseases brought about by bacteria from their droppings. And, believe it or not, the way you clean their cage is just as important as cleaning the cage itself. You always want to make sure that the cleaning solutions you use are safe for your birds’ health and will not harm them in any kind of way.
A birds’ respiratory system tends to be quite sensitive regardless of the species. While some of them might be a bit harder compared to other species, there is always a need for you to stay on the safe side of things instead of gambling on their health. That said, here are 5 safe cleaning solutions that won’t harm your birds’:
The Safest Cleaning Solutions for Birds
Vinegar and water solution
A solution made from vinegar and water tends to be quite effective at leaning your birds’ cage. It is quite acidic and is great at killing off bacteria while also making sure it melts off any kind of stain and dirt on your birds’ cage. On top of that, it is safer than most of the commercial cleaning products you see in stores because vinegar is all-natural and does not contain any kind of synthetic ingredients and chemicals. In that regard, a solution made from the vinegar is as safe as any cleaning solution can be. Of course, the main thing you need to do is to avoid spraying it close or near your birds because vinegar can be quite irritating to the respiratory system.
Vinegar is about 5% alcohol and 95% water. But even though it is mostly water, it still is acidic and can be a bit irritating when used as it is. As such, you need to dilute it first before it becomes fully safe to spray on your birds’ cage. You can use a 50-50 solution of water and white vinegar to dilute the vinegar but still allow it to retain its acidic cleaning properties.
Grape seed extract
In case you haven’t heard, grape seed extract is one of the more powerful antimicrobial agents for your body. Made from grapefruit and glycerin, it is one of the more effective solutions for fighting off bacteria. As such, there are plenty of facial products that are made from grape seed extract. It is great at killing invading organisms and can also be used as a cleaning agent.
That said, grape seed extract can be a great type of cleaner for your birds’ cage. Its acidic properties as citrus fruit and its natural anti-microbial properties are great at killing bacteria without the harmful effects that come with commercial cleaning products that are full of chemicals your birds are not naturally able to handle.
You can use grape seed extract as it is to clean your birds’ cage. But if you think that it is a bit too acidic and concentrated, it is best that you try to dilute it by combining it with water. the ratio of the grep fruit extract to water can be up to you so long as you think that it is still potent enough to clean the cage but not too acidic and strong to the point that it will end up irritating your birds.
Citrus fruit solutions
Like grapefruit extract, citrus fruits also have great anti-bacterial properties. They are quite acidic and can kill off bacteria and micro-organisms in a heartbeat. That is why a lot of natural products made for detoxifying the body and for cleaning different surfaces are made from citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons. In that regard, using citrus fruits for cleaning your birds’ cage can be a safe and natural way for you to keep their habitat free from any sort of harmful bacteria and micro-organisms.
For starters, you may want to make your own solution by choosing your type of fruit. Oranges, lemons, and clementine are good options. If you do not want to use their juice, you may want to use peelings instead as these still contain enough d-limonene, a natural solvent, and citric acid. Place the peelings in an airtight container and then fill it up with white vinegar. Wait for two weeks for the vinegar to react with the peelings. After that, strain it, and you will end up with a concentrated solution of citrus and vinegar. You can dilute it with water if you want. Finally, place the solution in a strainer and use it as a cleaning agent for your birds’ cage.
Baking soda and lemon juice solution
As mentioned, lemon and other citrus fruits are all-natural substances that may seem a bit acidic but are quite safe for your birds. Lemon contains natural enzymes that are effective at breaking down organic material while killing off harmful bacteria. Meanwhile, baking soda can be used as a natural abrasive and deodorizer. It is also effective at dissolving dirt and removing tough stains. That is why there are plenty of cleaning products that are made from baking soda. Combining it with lemon juice makes for a great solution that not only dissolves dirt but also cleans, deodorizes, and disinfects your birds’ cage.
What you need to do first is to make use of three tablespoons of baking soda and then combine it with hot water. Wait for the soda to dissolve first. After that, add two tablespoons of pure lemon juice into the mixture. Swirl the solution around to combine the ingredients perfectly. Place the mixture into a spray bottle. Use the solution after spot-cleaning your birds’ cage with a clean cloth or a wiper. You will find that it is quite effective at dissolving dirt and grime while disinfecting the entire cage without harming your birds.
Mild dishwashing liquid
While most dishwashing liquid products are made from chemicals, there are certain types that are completely safe for your birds. Choose a dishwashing liquid brand that is mild and made from all-natural ingredients. While these products may not be as effective at removing stains, grime, and dirt and at killing bacteria, you will find that they are pretty safe for your birds because they are mild and not as irritating as dishwashing liquid products made from chemicals and other synthetic ingredients.
To make sure that the mild dishwashing liquid is safer than it already is, it is suggested that you dilute it by mixing it with water. A few drops of this liquid is already potent and concentrated enough to be able to clean stains and dirt while killing bacteria.
Conclusion
When choosing or making a cleaning solution that is safe for your birds’ overall health, the one thing you should take note of is that you should use all-natural ingredients. Birds tend to have very sensitive respiratory systems and are not used to inhaling chemicals. As such, always see to it that you use ingredients and commercial products that are as organic and as natural as possible while making sure that they are not too acidic and concentrated to the point that they can irritate your birds and potentially harm them.
