What to use to clean a cage?

[brunobunni]

Hi, I am in the process of trying to find a suitable budgie for my elderly Mum as a companion.

I have a cockatiel cage that only had Charlie the cockatiel in it for a few months until he died, he was a very old bird by this time (his 3rd cage).

The cage has been in the garage for about 8 years and am thinking it would be nice for Mums' budgie.

I just used to use soapy water and rinse, but just wanted to check if this is enough?

Any advice is very welcome and happy to learn 🙂

[milliej]

I use this and buy on-line! It came with just a tiny few drops of spillage so well pleased. Mine was the refill bottle.

www.northernparrots.com/f10-disinfectant-ready-to-use-and-refill-1l-prod6520a/

I've had it before but can't remember where I got it from!

[jellybean]

Just make sure that once cleaned, the cage has no signs of rust anywhere as this is deadly to a bird if ingested.
I hope your Mum enjoys her new little budgie.

[brunobunni]

That's great thank you and will check for rust.

Mum is excited and will give her something to natter to again.

[Hezz]

Hot soapy water (washing up detergent) and a rinse off with a weak vinegar solution will work just as well. As Jelly bean has already mentioned, be very careful looking for any signs of rust - a big killer of pet birds, and also be sure to check the bars spacing - nothing more than 12mm (1.2cm) for a budgie, being that much smaller than a cockatiel.

Also, in case you aren't aware, no plastic perches, sand sheets or sand perches. Get some natural tree branches if possible, straight off the tree, washed and dried, check on-line sites for safe trees for budgies. A cuttlebone, iodine and mineral blocks, soluble/oyster grit and of course good quality seed mix; these are the essentials, if you are looking at making a shopping list. And a good water container.

[brunobunni]

You two are amazing, thank you.

Apple tree and hazel hedge will be pruned!

[jujubiiird]

I use a half and half solution of Lemon juice/water to clean my cage since I cannot find the cleaners that other ppl use since I live in Chile, and that seems to really do the trick. I use an "organic" baby wipe that has only water and aloe vera gel to clean daily, and then the Lemon/water when I need to do the big clean which is about every 1week&½, as I have 2 cages I put them.in the clean one then clean the dorty one so they are ready to change the next time! Hope that is helpful, although other more experienced budgie owners have given good advice above