Cleaning Products

What is safe and not safe as far as cleaning products for an african grey. I have my grandpas grey since he recently passed. Its sad but I told him before he passed I would take care of his bird. So I dont want to hurt him with our cleaning products.

My wife uses swiffer dust and shine spray when she dusts. It has a scent and im not sure if its safe for the bird. Also we use spic and span to mop. Although it does say that its pet safe with no harmful toxins on that. Also she uses windex on glass. So... im sure your going to tell me no on the dust spray but what about the other stuff. What are the best ways to dust and clean your house so you can use scents to make the smell better. Right now it smells like bird. ANy help is appreciated!

With so many websites warning against using one product or another, it is often difficult to ferret through the truths and myths. Though I'm not a fan of Good Morning America because I find George Stephanopoulos' voice irritating, but I happened to be watching one morning a couple of years ago when they had a vet on...here's a link to an article about it.....you make your own decisions:

Myth-Busting: Pet Dangers - ABC News

weco said:

With so many websites warning against using one product or another, it is often difficult to ferret through the truths and myths. Though I'm not a fan of Good Morning America because I find George Stephanopoulos' voice irritating, but I happened to be watching one morning a couple of years ago when they had a vet on...here's a link to an article about it.....you make your own decisions:

Myth-Busting: Pet Dangers - ABC News

Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. But This tells me nothing on what I asked. Only thing about birds it has is the non stick pans.

The idea behind the caution stems from the respiratory system of a bird. The "canary in a coal mine " isn't just a song, it's a reality. They feel the effects before we do, so things like bug spray, bleach, and even candles can weaken them and even kill them.

And FYI, Teflon is bad for every living creature.

Febreze was touted to be safe for animals but then birds started dying and I believe the label has been changed to state that but since I don't buy it, I cannot say for sure.

Those plugin things to make your house smell pretty are not safe either because of the oils that are put into the air. Incense burning is out Basically, if you can smell any type of chemical you need to stay away from it. Maybe something won't kill a bird immediately but will have a long term effect on their respiratory system later on.

I clean with white vinegar, baking soda and windex (though I don't have Kiwi nearby when I use windex). I do bleach the toilet and sinks, and close the door so the fumes don't escape. I'm really sensitive to chemical scents, so we don't use any smelly stuff at all, but if you must use scented things, use essential oils No frabreeze-type stuff.

Basically in regards to cleaning products, they should NEVER come in contact with your birds cage/perches/things the bird may touch or lick, and if they aren't natural, remove your bird from the area being cleaned until the fumes dissipate. I really don't think the swifter stuff will harm a bird when used in reasonable amounts, but it would probably be best to just move the bird to a different room for a while until the air has cleared

None of those are safe for birds. Opt instead for white vinegar, GSE, Healthy Habitat, and just plain old Dawn and water.

I use grapefruit oil solution. I dilute three table spoons in one gallon of water. And fill a spray bottle with it. I clean their cage, dishes and everything around them. My B&G is very allergic so I run an air filter in their room as well. White vinegar is safe too. I order the grateful oil online. But I also saw it on my local GNC shop. Good luck.

shoppabird said:

weco said:

With so many websites warning against using one product or another, it is often difficult to ferret through the truths and myths. Though I'm not a fan of Good Morning America because I find George Stephanopoulos' voice irritating, but I happened to be watching one morning a couple of years ago when they had a vet on...here's a link to an article about it.....you make your own decisions:

Myth-Busting: Pet Dangers - ABC News

Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. But This tells me nothing on what I asked. Only thing about birds it has is the non stick pans.

Click to expand...

As you can see, from the various replies, there really is no single answer to your question and this is the case with many questions we parronts may have about or for our feathered friends.....as companion bird owners, we have to weigh the information we read/are given against what we know or research on our own, to make our best "informed" decision(s).

I noticed in at least one of the replies, in this thread, the mention of GSE (grapefruit seed extract) as a potential disinfectant, so I looked through the forum's back files & ended up posting this:

http://www.parrotforums.com/general...8-gse-grapefruit-seed-extract.html#post421261

While you may not have found an exact answer to your question, you have received a lot of good information and we're glad you decided to join us, there's more experience around here than you will probably find elsewhere...welcome aboard.....