Kiwibird
Well-known member
- Jul 12, 2012
- 9,539
- 111
- Parrots
- 1 BFA- Kiwi. Hatch circa 98', forever home with us Dec. 08'
I know I've seen a few posts on this subject of people wanting to try it, but have never seen the results of anyone attempting it. Just questions on whether or not it would work (which immediately get shot down). I know it's not everyones cup of tea, but for the past few years, we've pretty much replaced almost all paper products with cloth. Honestly, I have no issue washing it, and find it all around better than paper/plastic/disposable, and yes, I am somewhat of a (as my dad puts it) tree hugger/earth muffin/granola or whatever other term you may have for people like myself I actually feel washing Kiwi's cage liners would be much less gross than washing baby diapers, which plenty of people do, so I can't see where all the opposition to this concept is coming from. Theres nothing that goes in or comes out of him I find particularly nasty... I have been super frustrated with the newspaper on the bottom of Kiwi's cage since we got it since it:
A. Is too large for a single sheet to just "fit" so I have to cut down/overlap 2 sheets.
B. Every time Kiwi takes a bath (most days) he saturates the paper, which then dries, sticks to the tray and rips when you change it, making it near impossible to get all of it off without the scraper (which has started to chip the paint).
C. BOTH the above lead to a (IMO) unnecessary mess every time I change it (every other day unless he's made an especially large mess) and getting off stuck on paper is starting to damage the tray of his cage (and I'm trying to make this cage last a few more years until we have a home and I can get him a larger, stainless one).
So, I am going to take the plunge with washable cage liners! Don't care about stains on them, and I know from the rugs I keep his cage/stand on, that the bulk of dried poop just brushes off fabric, so I plan to shake it outside, brush off the dried droppings and put it in the "hot water" load I do every week anyways. I am going to use a green-print flannel top, absorbent layer of cotton batting and a waterproof PUL fabric on the back. I'm thinking of doing 4 liners, which should last a week of every-other-day changes (and of course I can always wash them if necessary). This shall be an interesting experiment and once I've made them up (waiting for next 50% coupon at Joann for the PUL fabric, it's expensive) I'll do an update and maybe a video since I think other people are interested in making reusable cage liners, but everyone keeps discouraging it because of the "yuck" factor
Me and my "green-minded" (and bodied!) friend may just be able to get this concept going
A. Is too large for a single sheet to just "fit" so I have to cut down/overlap 2 sheets.
B. Every time Kiwi takes a bath (most days) he saturates the paper, which then dries, sticks to the tray and rips when you change it, making it near impossible to get all of it off without the scraper (which has started to chip the paint).
C. BOTH the above lead to a (IMO) unnecessary mess every time I change it (every other day unless he's made an especially large mess) and getting off stuck on paper is starting to damage the tray of his cage (and I'm trying to make this cage last a few more years until we have a home and I can get him a larger, stainless one).
So, I am going to take the plunge with washable cage liners! Don't care about stains on them, and I know from the rugs I keep his cage/stand on, that the bulk of dried poop just brushes off fabric, so I plan to shake it outside, brush off the dried droppings and put it in the "hot water" load I do every week anyways. I am going to use a green-print flannel top, absorbent layer of cotton batting and a waterproof PUL fabric on the back. I'm thinking of doing 4 liners, which should last a week of every-other-day changes (and of course I can always wash them if necessary). This shall be an interesting experiment and once I've made them up (waiting for next 50% coupon at Joann for the PUL fabric, it's expensive) I'll do an update and maybe a video since I think other people are interested in making reusable cage liners, but everyone keeps discouraging it because of the "yuck" factor
Me and my "green-minded" (and bodied!) friend may just be able to get this concept going