How do you clean your house?

[jaimmorr]

I was just doing a bit of reading up on lifestyle of parrot owners. I knew that you couldn't use strong things like bleach, candles, febreze, etc. But I just read that you can't use ANY cleaning products at all that are spray...? So, no Windex, no wood cleaner, no multi purpose cleaner, etc...? How do you clean your house??? Just with water? I use Comet a lot, I assume I wouldn't be able to use that either? I know that Windex and multi purpose cleaner come in wipes so that you don't have to spray anything. Would these work?

Thanks

[cheebamaster]

eh, I'd like to know this too...I'd imagine it's okay to clean your house with regular cleaners but to be careful in keeping away sprays and other chemicals from the cages/perches or anywhere the bird frequents and puts his mouth all over

[Michael]

I give preference to non-chemical cleaners like vacuum cleaners and static wipes. Next is water and dish soap. I also use bleach when thoroughly cleaning the parrot's cages a few times a year (they're out in the hallway in their carriers during this kind of cleaning). I use windex as rarely as possible. I usually spray it into the paper towel rather than through the air. This works out fine. Don't really need to use any strong potent cleaners to get the job done.

[marie83]

a mix of vinegar and water is amazing at cleaning windows. It can also be used to wipe down surfaces in the home. Doesn't smell too good to start with but the smell fades fast.

[Sparky]

I just use newspaper dipped in water to clean my windows. Works amazingly.

Vinegar and baking soda are awesome cleaners, very underestimated!

[jaimmorr]

Thanks for all the answers, everyone! I know I probably sound like an idiot, but I've never even thought of such simple cleaning supplies!


What about perfume? Should you never use perfume when you have a bird? What about scented lotions or hand soap? Or now am I just getting paranoid? Lol!

[Michael]

Don't spray it near them. Nothing too crazy. Don't use anything you wouldn't go touching a baby with. Otherwise probably fine.

[marie83]

I find some perfumes can still be quite 'fumey' after they have been applied so I would wait a while before handling the bird if its going to be climbing directly on you for a while for the fumes to settle down a bit. Same with hand lotions etc, make sure they are fully soaked in before directly handling the birds so it doesn't cause a film to cling onto the feathers, sometimes little things like that can cause overpreening.

Handsoaps will be fine as you wash them straight off anyway.

[Crazypetlady]

I just don't clean at all. Easier that way.