I was cleaning the cages this past weekend, and I took the birds rope perches and put them in the washing machine like I always do. Well...they BROKE it! Oh it was a disaster and now we have to get it fixed. Plus, it broke a few of the rope perches as well (plastic ends & frayed rope). This has never happened before to the perches and am completely shocked.
What are other ways to clean the perches? I used to squirt them with a vinegar solution and then scrub them with a brush, but it seemed to make them 'dirtier' somehow...like I was rubbing the poop into them. Gross. Plus it took forever to dry.
Thanks for any ideas.
__________________ NICOLE
"If the Grey is the college intellectual then the Amazon is the class clown!"
Kai, G2
Lenny, L2
Macai, M2
Peek-a-boo, U2
Lucy, Lovebird
Benji and Lani, Lories
Chili, Conure
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Re: Washing rope perches
I use the dishwasher, too, but I bought a separate one for bird things versus one for dishes (guests get grossed out if they think bird poop has been in there). I've always found that old dishwashers that work (from a thrift store or something) work REALLY well for bird things because, they may be too harsh for fragile glasses or leave spots on things, they just DON'T get broken and they do a good job of washing bird things!
Also in the past, I'd go to the laundromat (break their washing machines, not mine!) and just throw them into the washer with no soaps or anything and some old towels (so they don't clunk around) and it worked great! Cost me about $1.00 to wash the things every 2 weeks, but it was cheaper than new appliances!
__________________ Carol
"I can scare the stupid out of you, but the lazy runs deep" -Gilmore Girls
Hamlet the Sun Conure and Mac the green cheek conure
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Location: New Hampshire, USA
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Re: Washing rope perches
We use the dishwasher for some of the acrylic toys, but for the perches and stuff we actually use the bathtub. Fill it up with soapy/vinegar water and scrub the heck out of everything. Reading about the dishwasher now that seems so much easier!! Not as much effort. I'm sorry your dishwasher broke though. That's too bad.
And it would be nice to have two, you are lucky kai's momma....someday when we get our own house I think that will be a good idea. hmmm.something else to add to my wish list.
Hahaha...yes...it's a washing machine. Don't worry though, usually whenever I refer to the dishwasher, or the washing machine (for clothes) I just say 'the washer'. Get's people really confused.
Just a little FYI for those of you that might use a washing machine. Apparently, it's only safe to put the perches, etc in top-loading machines. Front loaders have a much faster spin cycle, so it's not safe for the toys or washer. Thought I'd let you know, might save someone a headache in the future.
Maybe I'll use the dishwasher or the laundromat next time though
__________________ NICOLE
"If the Grey is the college intellectual then the Amazon is the class clown!"
I generally put them in a bucket (only used for his stuff) with a little dishwashing soap and hot water and let them soak for a few hours. Then I take a scrub brush and then rinse it off. I set them out to dry.
I also have two sets of Keup's two main rope ones (his sleeping one and his swing) so he's not without them. Though, one time I did pull a stupid and put the clean ones in the bucket instead of the dirty ones. I find that a hair dryer is very useful (also for a quick freezer defrost - college tricks) - high heat and blast LOL.
Carol
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