The great Poop Challenge

[The Outlaw]

I have started a poop remover challenge. We constantly discuss what works best for poop removal. I am a strong advocate of GSE and hot water (Grapefruit Seed Extract). Other prefer Poop Off, vinegar and water and the tried and true bleach and hot water.

Since I hate my house to smell like cleaner, I stopped using vinegar and water and bleach and water years ago. However, many still do. I do use bleach and water every couple of months just to be on the safe side as far as germs go.

Anyway, with houses closed up for the winter, I think that smell is very important. However, I like the rest of the world want to make my job as easy and inexpensive as possible.

I figure the BEST way to find out is to do a simple comparison. So, here's my challenge: Let's do our own research.

1. Choose poop that is "baked on" and won't wipe off or scrap off without an agent.

2. Let's establish a standard for the mix. I suggest 25 drops of GSE to one quart of hot water. How about a cup of bleach to a quart of hot water? One cup of vinegar to one quart of hot water? Is that about right?

3. You'll need a timer. Mix up batches of all 3. You are trying to find poop that is from the same "meal", hopefully the same bird and the same vintage. Not all poop is created equal.

5. Use the same amount of mixed product each time. For example, use3 squirts for the first try, let it sit for 5 minutes and then remove. If you have to re-treat, add that time to the original minutes. Continue doing so until the entire poop is gone.

6. Compare the fumes from each product and whether or not you can smell it 15 minutes after you've cleaned. If you can, continue adding time until you can no longer detect the smell upon entering the house or apartment. You may want to borrow another nose for this test.

7. Write down the cost of all the products: one quart of bleach, one small bottle of GSE and one quart of vinegar. I know that the GSE in the small bottle is $10.00 and sometimes less (I actually pay about $8 and change).
Also, you cannot use a steamer doing this test and I suggest that only paper towels, a scraper, a sponge or rag can be used. WE are trying to figure out what cleans with the least amount of damage to the surfaces and the birds, of course and how cost and time effective they are. The smell is another factor.

If you have some Poop Off handy, you may want to use that too. I no longer buy it, for it didn't impress me years ago.

Folks with macaws, greys, amazons and other larger birds can probably really do the best evaluations since the smaller birds aren't difficult to clean up after anyway. However, all are certainly invited to participate. I'd like this thread to hang around for future reference. I think that newbies will find it interesting, too.

THE OUTLAW

[Kevin]

LOL Wheres the infomerical PoopOff.com

[The Outlaw]

Keev:

I bet they'd be REAL interested in our results.

THE OUTLAW

[Sherri]

I've used Poof Off, still do sometimes. However I now prefer the method below since I don't have to scrub anymore

I bought a Shark II steamer from Sears for $99.00 It's great! Steam a liitle, wipe off. It has a powerful steam jet and it even blows out all the Cockatoo dust that accumulates in the corners.
After I steam I wipe the cage down with a mixture of Pet Focus disinfectant, $9.95 a quart but it only takes a tablespoon per gallon.
My husband uses the steamer to clean the engine on his classic 67 Camaro.
(We could propably eat off it but he would be upset if the car got dirty! :P )

[rpopebirdz]

Hi,

We have a Scarlet that's goal in life is to make a mess for us to clean up.
We have tried many things but most cleaners are not bird friendly.

ORANGE OIL..........

When puchased alone is very expensive. But some cleaners are now using it as I know everyone has seen in stores. Here's the trick. Mix Mean Green Orange or Mr. Clean Orange. (Both found in discount stores for about a dollar)
half and half with HOT water. You get the clean, you don't get the toxins or phosforates, and you do get a nice clean citris smell (for closed up wintertime) that's not overpowering.

This works for our Umbrella also.
:)

[The Outlaw]

I also have a shark and have been using it for 2 years. However, this is about testing product cleaners or substitutes. I'd like real people to use it and give their results.

I'm glad you also use an antibacterial, because the steamers don't kill many germs, although they do remove the debris quite handily.

THE OUTLAW

[smallonion]

One thing my mom recommended for dried on bird poop: baby wipes. They work really well. The fact that they are so oily means hey help disintegrate the poop. Then again, I have only one medium sized bird. Those you with a house full of macaws may may need something more heavy duty!

[Stacey32]

i used the GSE in the recommended dilution nancy posted. It smells great. i ended up cleaning my microwave with it too.


nancy, i did a search and saw that you also had used a drop of it in the birds water dishes. do you recommend that all the time?

so far, so good! the poops coming off nicely. I think i'll let a few harden and compare GSE to my cleansing gel I bought from the parrot shop.

[Monica]

A drop of GSE in the water helps to prevent bacterial growth inbetween changing the waters and is safe to use. It is more important to use GSE in the drinking water if the birds like to make 'soups' when you are away!

[carriesb]

I got the poop off in the bottle and it actually smelled pretty strong to me but I LOVE the poop off wipes I think they are the best at getting dried poop off it even works on fabric. As far as disinfecting it doesn't though so I use other stuff for that.