How to Clean Bird Toys

Blue and gold macaw

Cleaning bird toys and perches is just as important as cleaning the cage, but it is sometimes overlooked. With a few easy steps and tips, cleaning your birds toys will be quick and simple.

Things You'll Need

• Dish soap
• Bird toy cleaner
• Scrub brush or sponge
• Towel or paper towels

Instructions

1. Remove the toys and perches from the bird cage. It may be necessary to remove the bird from the cage to get the toys, if the bird is possessive.

2. Using a paper towel or dry scrub brush, brush or wipe off any solid, hard, encrusted droppings or shell casings that might be sticking to the toys and perches.

3. Fill a cleaning bowl with hot water and a drop of dish soap. Or, fill the bowl with a bird toy cleaning and disinfecting solution.

4. Place toys and perches in bowl of hot water and dish soap. Let them soak for 2 to 5 minutes, depending on how long they have been soiled.

5. Using another paper towel, scrub brush or a sponge scrub the toys and perches completely clean.

6. Rinse the toys and perches thoroughly with very hot water. Make sure to rinse all soap or cleaner residue off the toys and perches to prevent the bird from getting a case of diarrhea.

7. Set toys and perches on a clean paper towel or clean towel to dry. They could also be set in a dish drying rack. The toys and perches need to be completely dry before putting them back in the cage with the bird.

Tips & Warnings

• Clean toys and perches regularly to keep birds healthy. Some toys and perches can be placed in the top rack of a dishwasher. The hot water from a cleaning cycle can sanitize the toys. It is helpful to have an extra set of toys and perches so that the toys can be rotated and left to dry completely overnight. Sandpaper perch covers reduce the need to clean perches as often. Larger cages with a greater variety of toys will reduce the need to clean toys and perches as often.

• Do not use harsh chemicals or strong-smelling chemicals in the same room as the bird, this can cause sickness and even death for the bird. Make sure to place toys securely on the top rack only of the dishwasher because some toys will melt on the bottom rack.