question about cleaning a large cage

[marriedchick26]

Oscar the tiel has been in his new cage for about three weeks. I know its time to scrub the entire cage. I usually do the budgie's cage every two weeks.I am actually going to do this today. Its easy enough to wash in the kitchen sink with mild dish soap, then I rinse everything twice. Oscar's new cage is quite large. I don't think it will even fit in the bathtub. For those of you that have larger cages, how do you clean them and how often? I usually change the bottom tray and wipe the perches daily. Honestly, the bars don't even look dirty at all but I read that cage should be scrubbed twice a month regardless. Is dish soap ok or should I use water with vinegar?
Thanks for the help

[Amie]

When we do a full out scrub, I use water and white vinegar, and I do it outside with a hose. but I live where it's warm and that's possible.

[birdyland]

I use a pressure washer and dish soap or vinegar.... outside! But I'm in California! Being from Erie originally, I know that it is COLD where you are. I'm thinking...... do it yourself carwash? so you don't have to deal with cleaning up or having a wet driveway?

[sugarbeth]

I would be really interested to hear about people's cage cleaning routines also! (All the gory details, please!) I also live where it would be cold to do it outside in the wintertime.

[Lori~D]

Now that I have a steamer I put down some towels and steam it off. Doesnt make it wet but gets it clean and sterilized fast with no scrubbing. I take the floor grate and pan to the tub as there is more poo that will spatter. Then I blast it off in there with the steamer OMG its so fast and easy now. I LOOOOOVE my new steamer. Best fourty bucks I ever spent.

[Parrotpeople]

I use the water hose outside and when it's too cold for that I take the floor grate and the splash guards into the bathtub and wipe the rest of it down. I'll have to check out a steamer!

[sspingler]

Leaving the birds inside........I take them out to the driveway and power wash them followed by a spritzing of vinegar. I used to clean twice a week, but with 10 cages, it's down to Saturday.

[wildirish]

All but 3 of ours are too large to fit thru the doors LOL! I simply get the bucket with vinegar and water, as well as swiffer dusters, misted with the same solution, and use them to "dust" the cages, then spray any poop, and then wipe down the entire cage with a sponge in the bucket.

I change papers daily and wash cages every other day. I also pull out the steamer about once a month.

[KimM]

Since you're in cold weather and if you have a bathtub, will it fit in there? I use simple green to scrub the grate and tray down in my bathtub, but I have a macaw and the cage is 6 feet tall so I use a steamer to clean the cage.

[my-africangrey-echo]

I am getting a steamer next payday. Until then I use a bucket with white vinegar and water

And Birdlady I know you really miss the 3 degree mornings here in Erie don't you