Cleaning

I have been researching some different stuff to replace the harmful cleaning supplies I have for my GCC. Anybody have any suggestions to replace coeaners for countertops,bathrooms, and such? Also I heard diluted bleach is safe for birds but im not sure if its true...

Thank you for asking this question, as no, do not use bleach around your birds, diluted or not!!! Birds are extremely sensitive to any and all smells, fumes, etc., to the point that they can die instantly when exposed to certain fumes, like those released from any type of Teflon pots and pans when they are heated, which is why you can't cook with any Teflon-coated products...

It's best to ONLY use all-natural, unscented cleaning products. Most all grocery stores and places like Walmart and Target sell all-natural, unscented or naturally-scented all-purpose cleaners, they are usually clear in-color and the bottle will list that it is free of everything and anything, and that it is either "pet-safe" or some even say "bird-safe"...

That all being said, the safest thing in my opinion to use, and the most effective, more effective than store-bought, natural cleaners, is diluted vinegar, both diluted red-wine vinegar, and diluted white vinegar. Red-wine vinegar is best in situation where you need to kill bacteria, fungi, microbes in-general, and for general cleaning purposes the White Vinegar is great.

So your best bet is to use very hot water and vinegar to clean cages, perches, toys, bowls, etc., and then rinse extremely well before allowing the stuff to dry.

Baking soda can also be used.

I have used diluted bleach where I felt necessary (i.e. disinfecting and cleaning) but otherwise generally try to avoid.

F10 can be used around your bird's cage if you want a veterinary type disinfectant.

Regular dish soap is fine, too.

What recipe do you use for vinegar? I've been looking here and online and haven't found information about bird safe dilutions. Or does it not matter? (We have done some moving cages around and are having to change some of our cleaning practices as a result!)

I am a constant worrier when it comes to cleaning cages properly. I have used vinegar and water, or lemon in water in the past but never felt like it cleaned well.
I discovered bird poop off spray and use that daily. Since I dont have the ability to suds up, then hose down my cages i have been concerned the cages still wouldnt be clean off.
Some great members on this forum have discussed usung F10 and I was instantly excited about it.
I just ordered and recieved my own bottle of the stuff and plan to use it this weekend for a good cleaning.
I am nervous that I wont feel everything has been washed away well enough. We'll see what happens

I use F10 SC for nearly everything (you will not want the green type, as it contains a soap) AND I LOOOOOOVE it---I do 2 ml per 17 oz of water which kills a significant number of bad things (store in a clear chemically resistant spray bottle with a label on it). You can get a free 1 ml syringe at the pharmacy if you just ask.
F10 seems expensive when you see how little the bottle is, but when mixed with water, it produces a quantity comparable to something like 14 Windex refills (Large/gallon type) and it is SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper when you do the math (assuming you use a similar dilution ratio). The biggest perk (aside from it actually killing WAY more than natural cleaners), is that the fumes aren't an issue. When you get it, if you live in the USA, the bottle comes with a contradictory (AND TERRIFYING) warning label--IGNORE THIS. I was really freaked out, but I have verified that this label is solely due to the litigious nature of the US and the product is as safe as advertised- the warning is identical to warnings found on other chemicals and it is there to cover their "behinds" because any chemical has to have a similar label here (EPA requires it even though it isn't correct for the product, they have to do it due to the type of product that it is). I didn't even open my bottle when it arrived because the dang label scared me to death, but after weeks of research and phone calls, I took the plunge, and I haven't looked back. I get it on my skin all of the time. I don't spray my bird with it, but I use it mere feet from her and there have never been any ill-effects (the same experience is echoed repeatedly throughout the online and veterinary community). I do let it dry before allowing her to come into contact with it though. On another forum, someone literally bathed in it once as a result of a stomach bug that her daughter brought home lol. Some vets even put f10 bird respirators to kill certain fungal conditions (DON'T DO THIS IF YOU AREN'T A PROFESSIONAL), but my point is, it is safe and pretty dang good at disinfecting when allowed to sit for the proper time.

PS---YOU DON'T HAVE TO RINSE F10 SC.

You just spray it and let it dry. If you want to wipe you can, but make sure it stays wet for a few minutes at least (10 minutes at least if you are trying to get rid of nastier viruses).


Also, although white vinegar does kill some things, it does not have the disinfecting power that many seem to believe it does...I too was a wishful member of the vinegar club, until I read a bunch of studies...and as far as natural goes, it is great, but it isn't going to kill staph or PDD (viruses are quite resistant to vinegar, and in terms of bacteria, it kills 70 (ish)%, as opposed to bleach which is more than 99% effective (albeit dangerous for birds)...Vinegar is also largely dependent upon the act of scrubbing and even then, It kills a very limited window of microbes when compared to something more powerful. F10 does a MUCH better job in the virus/bacteria department, and you can adjust the concentration depending on your needs.


http://www.f10products.co.uk/ebooks/hh326a/files/assets/common/downloads_52e48c86/publication.pdf
Page 6 lists what it kills- and although this product was put out by the F10 people, there are MANY professionals who have used it safely for years, plus, studies have backed up these findings. I don't work for the company lol. I just really love the product.


I wanted my parents to start using it as an alternative to other cleaners (even though I don't live with them) so here is an excerpt of the email "sales pitch" I sent to them lol:


"It is called f10sc (super concentrate) and 200 ML is $27.27 on Amazon, but you only need to add 2ml to 17oz of water in order to achieve the 1:250 mix ratio ([FONT=&quot]200ml/2(based on 2ml per 17 oz)=100x17oz=1700 oz)[/FONT]. [FONT=&quot]That means you can make 1700 ounces (or 13.2 gallons) [/FONT][FONT=&quot]of cleaning solution per 200 ml bottle of concentrate(17 oz water +2 ml solution is what I am using). A 1 GALLON REFILL OF Windex is almost $14.00....soooo for the same price (roughly $28.00) you can get 2 gallons of bird-killing Windex, or 13.2 gallons of bird-safe f10sc! If you increase dilution to 1:500 (still viable) then that number stretches even further! Additionally, after mixing the solution, it continues to work for up to 6 months (in diluted form) and years in concentrated form (assuming it is not compromised by puncture etc). I went to the pharmacy at Walmart and they gave me a free 1ml syringe which I use to measure my 2ml addition to my 17 oz. I mixed it without gloves and I have had no issues with skin irritation.[/FONT]


It is totally safe when used at recommended concentrations (as low as 1:100 and as high as 1:500 parts per liter ). It doesn't produce harmful fumes, is non-corrosive, non-irritating, non-aldehyde (sp?) and DOESN'T NEED TO BE RINSED!


It kills Salmonella, MRSA, mold, fungi and viruses in 10 minutes at a 1:250 dilution ratio and it can be used on fabrics in laundry as well as hard surfaces. It is a veterinary grade disinfectant that can be used to sterilize surgical equipment at higher concentrations. Also, "[FONT=&quot]Unlike many other products F10 stays active providing an ongoing residual effect."-- Numerous studies were conducted to back up this statement and no traces were found in bird muscle, blood,kidney and urine etc after adding it to drinking water in 1:250 dilutions for 6 weeks! [/FONT]

I only have one bird, and no other birds come or go around him, so it's easy for me, but...
For most of the Rb's 34 years, I've used only water and paper towels and a toothbrush. I put him in his travel crate every now and then, and wheel the cage into the shower, where I give it a scrub and then run HOTTTTT water on it for a while. New toys or cage parts get boiled or showered with the same technique.
I am admittedly a complete paranoiac about substances, but there ya go!
People with more complex situations need more tactics, I realize.

I use a steam cleaner for many things - like bathrooms, floors, cages, etc. I also like the f10 cleaner, which I use for things in the bird area occasionally (the rest of the time I use the steam cleaner). Dish soap works pretty well for some things. I also like unscented baby wipes for those poop spots that dried on the floor before I noticed them - set a baby wipe on it for 5 or 10 minutes and then wipe away.

For weekly, cage cleanings use vinegar and water. You can even use this on cabinets, counters, etc. For stuck on cage mess weekly use PoopOff or Natures Miracle. Do NOT use HealthyHabitat or AviClean as they use chemical perfumes essential oils.

For deeper cleanings monthly, biennualy or annually as needed use F10. Please refer to above regarding F10 information.

P.S. Vinegar can be added to your washing machine as a softener particularly if using fleece mats for fall relief.

One of my first questions was about cleaning Bill's cage. I did use a Clorox wipe around the top, and on the door that he likes to perch on. I used a paper towel after to totally dry up any cleaner wetness left behind. There is no way I could just move Bill's cage around to somewhere different to hose it off. I will try some baby wipes.

I use F10 and love it!

Safe for the birds, even when they're in the cage, and sanitizes if you leave it for a few minutes. Veterinary grade stuff. I can even spray it on their sprouts and it's safe for them to eat after rinsing it off.

Where would I get this F10 that I've been reading about on here.

It's on Amazon and other sites...It seems pricey, but compared to off-the-shelf cleaners, it is cheaper and SAFE! It has to be diluted, so you get way more than the ounces in he bottle that you purchase.

I don't really buy stuff from Amazon, is there anything at local stores that I can use?

I have only been able to buy it off of the internet, although you could possibly find a store somewhere in the USA (or elsewhere, depending on your location)---maybe they would allow you to do a phone transaction or buy it off of their website (if you want to). It is manufactured in South Africa but available in many countries (over the internet at least.)

Amazon is really easy though...You don't have to pay to register (although Prime membership will get you free shipping on lots of stuff). I get it if you are opposed to the fact that Amazon is taking over the retail world (that is a little weird to me too....)
But if it is just fear of the unknown that is keeping you away, they are VERY easy to work with....GREAT customer service etc...Usually free return shipping (depending on who is selling the product). It is a very hassle-free experience 99% of the time. I didn't use it for years and now I love it.