Cleaning with vinegar and water

[JoanneinNC]

I know a lot of you clean with vinegar and water.

When it comes to cleaning bird cages, toys and perches, I have been using a solution of half white vinegar, half warm water in a spray bottle.

My avian vet seemed to think this was fine, but she said to use wet paper towels afterwards and put the bird back in the cage several hours later, or even the next morning.

My bird has a hurt toe, and he has been picking at it. I want to be sure there isn't something in the cage that is bothering his skin. I am starting to wonder if it is the vinegar/water solution.

I did some searching online today and found a lot of sites for cleaning with vinegar but nothing really that answered my question. I did find another BB where someone said you have to use apple cider vinegar. One part apple cider vinegar to 6-8 parts of water.

I want to make sure I am not doing something to hurt my bird, so I wanted to double check my cleaning method. Do you use vinegar and water. What is the solution that you use? Do you wipe with water afterwards? How long do you wait before putting your bird back in the cage? How long can you keep the vinegar/water solution in the spray bottle before making a new solution?

I have a parrotlet by the way.

Thanks for your support and help. I love being here

Joanne :0)

[Casa Amazona]

I am by no means an expert, but I can tell you what I do. Other than washing all the food and water bowls with dish detergent, I do virtually all of my bird-related cleaning with straight white vinegar applied with a paper towel. I don't rinse or wipe away with water nor do I wipe dry. This has been my cleaning method for several years now and I've never had the first problem of a toxic nature. Again, if your vet disagrees with this method you need to take that into consideration.

[LauraKGN]

I also use white vinegar and water to clean. I'd say I use about 1 part water to 5-6 parts water. I always clean when the birds out of the cage, so it usually has at least an hour to dry before they go back in. I usually wipe with a dry paper towel when I'm done. I've never noticed any sensitivity or problems, but I've only been cleaning with the vinegar for about a month. Maybe your bird has a particular reaction to vinegar? I know a lot of people use Grapefruit Seed Extract as another cleaning agent.

[Quito's Qage]

I've been using a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and water, not rinsing, and leaving it damp. Haven't noticed any problems, but that doesn't make it right. Just wondering here, I know if I have a cut and get the vinegar/water solution on it, it does sting. So maybe it is aggrevating the problem but didn't actually cause it to begin with?

As far as what type of vinegar, I believe that cider vinegar is recommended if you're going to put a few drops in the water dish for internal use. All the cleaning hints I've seen call for white vinegar though.

[JoanneinNC]

Thank you to all of you. I feel like I have a newborn baby and have to call the doctor every two minutes to ask if something is normal. I hope this feeling gets better. I have read so much, maybe too much. lol

Thank you.

That is smart about the vinegar. I had a little cut and the first time I used it..it was like eww..that stung. I have been trying to wipe again over what I have cleaned with a slightly damp paper towel.

My parrotlet came to me with a big piece missing of one of his toes. I didn't notice it; the vet pointed it out to me. I have no idea how I missed it for four days when I have been staring at him like crazy. The vet showed me. At the time, the toe looked so good, there was just a little scab on the tip. The next day it was bleeding a bit and scappy. He was back at the vet. We think he was picking at it. It has been bothering me that something in the cage might have irritated him, his skin, etc to make him pick or to irritate the wound. Because there was no bleeding or problems from the time I picked him until the vet appointment. I don't mean to say it is the vinegar..I just wanted to talk to some other bird owners and see what you thought about how I was cleaning and what you do. (I am thinking it also might have been a coincidence that he started picking at it..and maybe even that we were all looking at it at the vet appt, maybe that irritated him.)

If you use a solution, how often do you change it?

You guys are the best

Joanne :0)

[radiogirl995]

I use white vinegar and water to clean but I do dilute it a bit more like Laura. Mostly so I don't smell it all day.

You may consider switching over to Grapefruit Seed Extract for a bit -- just to see if your bird's foot gets any better?

[dislater]

If the vinegar smaell bothers you try this: Mix white vinegar a couple ounces with and equal amount of cheap Listerine type mouthwash from the dollar Store of Walmart with a quart or so of hot water....wring a cloth in this mixture of put it in your spray bottle and use it for cleaning. Works great on cages. I even use it on my tile floors in the bird's area. di

[Doug W]

Vinegar is a great cleaner, however, I can't STAND the smell. It makes my stomach turn, so I use Grapefruit Seed Extract (30 drops and hot water in a Squirt Bottle). We spray all cages down and poop mats. It works FANTASTIC and no smell at all....which is so nice.

GSE is non toxic and will not hurt the birds in any way shape or form. No fumes at all. It is a natural disinfectant too. You may want to switch over if you are worried. GSE came HIGHLY recommended by our Avian Vet. As a matter of fact they use it in their offices and Hospital Ward.

[veryorignal]

I think maybe the vinager could be irratating the cut... try switching to GSE and see how that works cuz it could sting so he picked at it i unno just a thought

[ParrotsRUs]

I can't stand the smell of vinegar. I use a 50/50 mix of Simple Green and water, It works well and last a long time. Also I find Simple Green has a nice clean smell.