cage smell remedies

[Powder]

Hi all,

I have two small birds in the house, and a small house. I could do a better job cleaning my cages more regularly, that would certainly improve things, but I was wondering if anyone had any special tricks to making their home smell fresh. I've heard of simmering spices on the stove, air fresheners...etc., but maybe there's something I've not heard of. Any suggestions?

[skthurley]

I usually simmer cinnamon on the stove

[Peanutbutter]

just thinking, and you probably have heard all this before....

Is it the birds smell? What are they eating? Maybe a diet change?

Give the fids a bath every week-ish. Spray bottle of water, dish of water, whatever works.

Change the tray paper daily. Rinse the tray off every couple days (spray w/ vineager first if u want). Spot clean the grate (if you have one) as necessary.

Mix a spray bottle w/ 50:50 water:vinegar.... spray fabrics (not leather, you may want to test spot expensive fabrics) The vinegar will deodorize, believe it or not.

Sprinkle baking soda on carpets, vacuum up 30 minutes later.

Open windows as often as the weather is nice.

As for adding in nice smells, I'm researching reed diffusers in a little bit... but for the safest method skthurley is right...

[jamespc]

I put a small air filter near my birds chage. It sucks in the feather fuz and seems to keep the dander down too. I also put plastic wrap on the bottom of the cage, the clean up is quicker and easier that way but you have to put it down so your bird does not get to it and pull it up. standing water on the bottom of the cage can make it smell so think of ways to prevent that. I use a water bottle for my bird and put a small dish under it to catch drips.

[chapala]

My cages don't smell, so I'm not sure why you're having the problem. If you clean regularly, there shouldn't be any smell. If you hate cleaning, try several layers of papers on the bottom, each day picking up the top layer. Quick that way, and you just need to do a thorough cage clean every 4 or 5 days.

[25k]

air purifier!!! ionic breeze~ works wonders..... i just bought 2 fresh breeze ionic air purifiers on ebay 2 for $84. they do 1,000 sq ft each. i have one and mother-in-law has the other..... it works!!! i smoke and you cant even smell the smoke!

[Peanutbutter]

Just making a note for all: make sure the IONIZER is OFF. Ionizers are bad for people & birds! Scars bird lungs & will cause death over time.

[chapala]

Yes, the ionic air cleaners are not recommended around birds, or people for that matter.

[Amaranita]

Do NOT use any air fresheners or sprays either. POISON FOR BIRDS!!!

[25k]

i live in a studio style apartment, its all one big room. the ionized air hasnt bothered any of my family, the fid included. i still say its the way to go. but that is after all just my opinion and i am not a professional!