Disinfecting Rope Toys and Perches

[Rosekeet]

I just bought Darcy a new rope toy with beads and he has two rope perches. I was wondering the best way to clean them. I use a 50/50 solution of white vinegar/water to clean the cage and food bowls. Could I soak the rope toys and perches in a water/vinegar soloution and then let them dry to disinfect?

[jessief423]

When I was at one of the bird shows here, i asked a lady who sold the rope perches the best way to clean them and she told me to put them in a pillow case in the wash. I thought that was a pretty good idea, but not with laundry detergent!

[skthurley]

I've gotten in the habit of disinfecting my rope perches every 2 months and when I first bring them home. I just turn run boiled water over them, and take a scrub brush to them if they have a lot of dried food. Jack loves to rub his messy beak on them after he's eaten his fill lol.

Then I let them dry for a few hours and return them to his cage

[musicjan]

Yikes - I've used laundry detergent.

[skthurley]

I wouldn't think that laundry detergent would be too bad so long as it went through a rinse cycle But maybe just to be safe, you should run them through your machine again on just a hot water rinse no soap

[kiwismom]

I always wash them in the washing machine with detergent but use 2 hot rinses afterwards.

[Rosekeet]

Thanks for the ideas! I live in an appartment, so I'd feel weird washing perches and bird toys and the laundromat, but boiling water I can for sure do. Maybe next time Darcy and I pay a visit to Mom and Dad, I'll run the perches through their washing machine! ;)

[unpoquito]

I've used fragrance free and phosphorus free laundry detergent many times with no problem. For a quick clean-up, I spray ACV and water on the area.

[SweetPeasMom]

I put most of my bird perches, toys, food & water bowls in the dishwasher on the top shelf, I dont use any detergent.

[musicjan]

I think probably the 2nd rinse is a good idea. I do like to get them really clean and they go through the washer very well.