Nest needed?

[MiaCarter]

Corkysgirl --- How long do you soak the bamboo nests for?

I tried this once and I let them soak too long and the wood swelled and became mushy and it was just a huge mess.

[Corkysgirl]

You're welcome. I just had to clean one yesterday. After the birds fledge...what a mess! But then it's done for a while.

[Sally]

I have cleaned the wicker nests by putting them in my dishwasher, they come out clean and reusable.

[Corkysgirl]

Oops, just saw your question Mia. I just soak them in hot water/bleach 5-10 minutes until the pooh softens, and immediately scrub, spray and dry them. If you don't have time to do it...don't start the project. I wish I had a dishwasher. My dishwasher, thank God, is my husband, but he will only do the bird's water and food when I ask. Poop is definitely not in the equation. I have a funny magnet on my fridge. "No woman ever shot a man while he was doing dishes!"

[MiaCarter]

That's a great idea on the dishwasher.
We have one -- came with the house -- but we've never used it. It's currently used as a pot holder rack. LOL.

So I'll be doing it by hand.
I think I soaked for 20-30 min, so that would explain why I got a mushy, waterlogged mess!

Wow -- lots of fun homemade nest ideas on that other page!
The milk carton nests are very clever.
My friend has these and she prettied them up by covering the outside with pretty papers. (Look like scrapbooking papers?) Not sure if she glued them on or tacked them on with wax or tape or something else?
She changes the papers out periodically to keep the exteriors clean.