FINCHforum

Can anyone tell me if I should clean the cage first, even if it's new? It just arrived in the mail and my husband and I are going to set it all up tonight but I wanted to clean everything now if need be.

Thanks!

Yes! I always believe in cleaning it first. It could have oils or chemicals on it from the manufacturing process.

Take it out side and hose it down. Don't worry about rust. It should be covered in some type of coating and you should be able to dry it quickly. If its too cold outside you can attempt to put it in the shower and clean it, that is if you have room..

I've never cleaned new cages , but haven't had any problems so far.

I've never gone to great lengths to clean a brand new cage either. Maybe a quick wipe down if it looks a little dusty but otherwise I've just set them up complete with food, water and toys and put the birds into it.

Prevously used cages are another story as I always clean them thoroughly with hot water and bleach.

My new cages never get cleaned ! I do wash the seed cups, if I am going to use them. All my new cages came boxed up, so they weren't even dusty. Used cages, different matter--those need to be cleaned thoroughly. I also use the hot water and bleach method on those.

Is bleach not harmful for the finches? I know the smell is hard to get rid of sometimes. I just don't know if I would use it.

What about a vinegar and water solution? Would that work?

If the used cages are very dirty, I will scrub them first with something like Pinesol diluted with hot water. Then, after being rinsed very well, I go over them with the bleach and hot water solution--I use about a 5% dilution rate. Then I rinse them very well with plain water and let them dry. I've never had a problem. I usually do this outside on the patio.

I always do a fast wipe down even on a BRAND NEW outa the box cage with a bleach solution,

M y reason is MANY folks who sale cages also raise birds so JUST INCASE they have anything going on Its cleaned.

I do a MASSIVE bleach and hotwater with the used ones.

i think its important to clean a cage before you use it, no matter new or used. would you eat on a plate before washing it first? how about living your entire existence on one?

we all have different beliefs when it comes to cage cleaning.
personally I never bother to clean a brand new cgae but will always scrub an old cage with vinegar and then rinse off with fresh water before putting birds into it

I opt for the vinegar and water solution...i just dont like the smell of bleach and i'm sure my finches wouldnt either....but yeah, clean the cage just in case, cause you never know!

this might be a stupid question, but: once you clean the cage with bleach, where do you rinse it? isn't it bad for the environment for bleach to just seep into the ground?

sean wrote:this might be a stupid question, but: once you clean the cage with bleach, where do you rinse it? isn't it bad for the environment for bleach to just seep into the ground?

I don't think it's too bad. It's chlorine after all. We put it in our city water, our pools, etc. So what we use for personal cleaning is just a drop in the bucket. Mind you, if we all think like that it can get to be a big bucket! For that reason alone, the vinegar and water might be a more environmentally friendly solution?