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How To Clean Your Bird Cage? Your Dos & Don'ts Guide

If you're trying to keep your feathered friend's home clean and your birdy healthy, check our ultimate guide with dos and don'ts and Chewy's best buys.
Updated on February 1, 2024 8:01 AM
Pet Supplies

Are you a proud new bird parent wondering how to maintain your feathered friend's cage? Do you have a birdy who needs a cleaner home? Our experts will guide you through the dos and don'ts of cage cleaning routines to help you keep your bird happy and healthy. Let's get started and ruffle some feathers.

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Why Is It Important To Clean Your Birdy Cage

The importance of cleaning your bird cage cannot be overstated. Our experts have identified the top reasons to help you better understand why this is necessary: 

  • Promotes Bird Health: Regular cleaning prevents bacteria and fungi from accumulating, reducing the risk of sicknesses like salmonella and Aspergillus that can affect birds and humans.

  • Prevents Odors: A clean cage means no unpleasant smells, creating a more enjoyable environment for you and your feathered friend.

  • Deters Pests: Clean cages discourage pests, like flies, mites, and rodents, from invading your bird's space, ensuring a pest-free environment.

  • Maintains Home Hygiene: By keeping the cage clean, you prevent the spread of bacteria, fungus, and other contaminants throughout your home, promoting overall household cleanliness.

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Dos: What Soap To Use When Cleaning Your Birdy Home

After we've established the importance of cleaning your bird's cage, follow these steps to keep your birdy's home fresh and clean: 

  • Opt for Mild, Unscented Soap: Choose a gentle dishwashing liquid without harsh chemicals or fragrances to clean your bird cage effectively and safely.

  • Thoroughly Rinse and Dry: After cleaning with soap, rinse the cage thoroughly and dry it completely before returning your feathered friend.

  • Regular Bedding Replacement: Swap out your bird's bedding weekly to maintain a clean environment and keep your bird healthy and happy.

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Don’ts: What Cleaners to Avoid 

Our experts compiled a list of cleaners to avoid when cleaning your bird's cage. We recommend using only bird-safe cleaning products. Keep your birdy healthy and safe by following these expert recommendations:

  • Steer Clear of Bleach: Avoid using bleach to clean your bird cage, as it can be highly corrosive and release hazardous fumes that harm your feathered friend's health.

  • Say No to Aerosol Sprays: Chemical cleaners like aerosol sprays can irritate your bird's skin and respiratory system, posing a danger if inhaled or ingested.

  • Skip-Scented Cleaners: Fragrant products and air fresheners can irritate your bird's sensitive respiratory system, best to avoid using them.

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Your Bird Cage Cleaning Routines 

Follow these daily and weekly routines from our experts to create a clean and safe environment for your bird.

Daily Routines:

  • Remove waste daily: Dispose of uneaten food, droppings, and any unsafe cage items to maintain cleanliness and hygiene.

  • Wipe cage interior: Use warm water and mild detergent to clean droppings and food debris, ensuring a clean and comfortable living space for your bird.

  • Replace bedding weekly: Provide fresh, dry material like paper towels or newspaper to keep the cage floor clean and dry, preventing bacterial growth.

  • Clean food and water bowls: Wash with hot, soapy water daily to prevent contamination and ensure your bird has access to clean food and water.

Weekly Routines:

  • Scrape and clean grate and tray: Remove accumulated debris to prevent buildup and maintain a sanitary environment.

  • Wash perches and wipe down cage: Clean perches and cage surfaces with a bird-safe cleaner to remove dirt and bacteria.

  • Use Aviclean concentrate cage cleaner: Apply a bird-safe cleaner to thoroughly clean and disinfect the cage, promoting your bird's health and well-being.

  • Dishwasher-safe food and water bowls: Run bowls through the dishwasher to ensure they are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized.

  • Inspect, clean, and rotate bird toys: Regularly inspect and clean toys to prevent bacterial growth and provide mental stimulation for your bird.

  • Apply parrot-safe pest control products as needed: Use bird-safe pest control products to prevent infestations without harming your bird's health.

  • Use bird-safe cleaners like Poop Swoop Wipes for food and poop splatters: Use bird-safe wipes to quickly and effectively clean food and poop splatters, maintaining a clean cage environment.

  • Mop floor with mild, unscented detergent: Mop the surrounding area with a mild, unscented detergent to remove any dirt or spills and ensure a clean living space for your bird.

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Our Top Picks

Find the best deals handpicked by our experts, designed to create a joyful and thriving habitat for your feathered friends. Explore their selections and uncover what sets them apart.


Best Overall Parrot Cage - Yaheetech 64-in Open Top Metal Parrot Cage

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Specifications:

  • Dimensions: 18 x 14 x 64 inches
  • Open Top Metal
  • Detachable Rolling Stand
  • Bird Type: Parrot, Lovebird, Cockatiel, Parakeet, Canary, Finch, Conure
  • Material: Coated Metal, Plastic, Metal

What We Love:

Treat your feathered friend to the ultimate home with the Yaheetech 64-in Open Top Metal Parrot Cage. Perfect for canaries, cockatiels, and more, its spacious design offers room for multiple birds or one pampered pet. 

The interactive play top provides endless entertainment, while the rust-resistant wire ensures durability. With easy-to-clean features and smooth-rolling casters, this cage makes bird care simple and lets them spread their wings.

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Best Value Birds Cage - Yaheetech Iron Small Bird Cage 40-in

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Specifications:

  • Dimensions: 18 x 18 x 40 inches
  • Features 4 360-Degree Wheels (2 With Locks) 
  • Open-top Design With A Dowel Perch
  • Bird Type:Budgie, Canary, Cockatiel, Finch, Parakeet
  • Material: Metal, Wood

What We Love:

Get the Yaheetech Iron Small Bird Cage, a fantastic option for owners of one to two petite feathered friends. This cage is ideal for your birdy as it's made from sturdy steel with a rust-resistant coating for durability and safety.

With generous dimensions and an open-top design featuring a dowel perch, it provides ample space to spread wings and easy interaction. Its four 360-degree wheels ensure convenient mobility. A practical and affordable choice for your pet.

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Best for Small Birds - Caitec Tree Tops Bird Cage

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Specifications:

  • Dimensions: 18 x 23 x 23 inches
  • Easy To Clean 
  • Award Winning Design, Simple To Assemble 
  • Bird Type: Small Birds, Lovebird, Parakeet
  • Material: Plastic

What We Love:

According to our experts, the Caitec Tree Tops Bird Cage is the perfect cage for small birds. With its spacious design and clear walls, your feathered friend enjoys an unobstructed view while having plenty of room to play. 

The barred sides provide ample space to attach toys and feeders, enhancing your bird's habitat. Its easy-to-clean pull-out tray and tool-free assembly make it a hassle-free option for pet owners.

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Best Cleaner Spray - Nature's Miracle Bird Cage & Surface Cleaner Spray

 

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Specifications:

  • OdorCapture 360 Technology Eliminates Tough Cage Odors
  • 24-Oz Bottle
  • Simple To Use
  • Bio-Enzymatic Cleaning Formula
  • Removes Debris

What We Love:

Your bird's home needs the Nature's Miracle Bird Cage & Surface Cleaner Spray. Specially designed for birds and small animals, this bio-enzymatic formula effortlessly tackles tough stains and odors. 

Its OdorCapture 360 technology ensures complete odor elimination without overwhelming scents, creating a fresh environment for your feathered friend and you. Safe for both pets and your home, this unscented cleaner is a must-have for maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in your bird's cage.

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Best Cage Cover - Prevue Pet Products Good Night Bird Cage Cover

 

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Specifications:

  • Dimensions: 31 x 21 x 41 inches
  • Helps Birds To Feel Safe
  • Lightweight Cover
  • Birds Type: Canary, Cockatiel, Cockatoo, Conure, Pigeon, Finch, Hookbill, Lovebird, Macaw, Parakeet, Parrot, African Grey, Amazon, Budgie, Parrotlet, Quaker
  • Manufactured From 100% Non-toxic, Breathable Color-fast Fabric

What We Love:

Get the Prevue Pet Products Good Night Bird Cage Cover for your birdy. It's designed to provide your feathered friend with a restful night's sleep.

Its dark, lightweight fabric creates a calming environment, reducing distractions and promoting relaxation. Made from non-toxic, breathable fabric, this cover ensures your bird sleeps soundly and feels safe in their cage.

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Best for Cleaning Birds & Cages  - EcoSpaw Unscented Bird & Cage Cleaner

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Specifications:

  • 16-Oz Bottle
  • Unscented Cleaner
  • Suitable To Clean Cages & Birds
  • Hypoallergenic & Tearless
  • Remove Unsightly Dirt & Unpleasant Odors

What We Love:

Discover the power of nanotechnology with EcoSpaw Unscented Bird & Cage Cleaner. This natural, biobased solution effectively removes dirt and odors, leaving your bird's feathers and cage sparkling clean. 

 Hypoallergenic and tearless, it's gentle on your birdy's feathers. This cleaner is unscented, easy to use, and perfect for daily cleaning routines. Keep your bird and their habitat fresh and hygienic with EcoSpaw.

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Best Soft & Leak-Proof Bird Cage Liner - Vitakraft Parrot, Conure, Parakeet & Cockatiel Bird Cage Liners

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Specifications:

  • Traps Unwanted Odors
  • Dimensions: 2 x 4.25 x 8.5 inches
  • Fast & Easy Clean-Up
  • Three-Layer Design
  • Super-Absorbent

What We Love:

Ensure your bird's cage stays clean and cozy with Vitakraft Cage Liners for Birds. Featuring a three-layer design, these liners effectively absorb moisture and reduce odors to keep your feathered friend's habitat fresh and comfortable. 

Simply place them under the cage grate for easy cleaning. Their durable construction ensures they won't get soggy like newspapers, making cleanup easy and less messy. Keep your bird's cage tidy and odor-free with Vitakraft Cage Liners.

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Best Cage for Short-Trips - Frisco Travel Bird Cage

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Specifications:

  • Dimensions: 19.5 x 12 x 15.5 inches
  • Designed With A Wooden Bird Perch & 2 Metal Food Bowls
  • Suitable for Short-Distance Trips
  • Birds Type: Lovebird, Cockatiel, Conure
  • Material: Coated Metal, Steel

What We Love:

The Frisco Travel Bird Cage from Chewy is designed for on-the-go adventures with your feathered friend. This cage ensures your bird's comfort during short-distance trips as it is made from a sturdy metal base, a wooden perch, and two metal food bowls.

Ideal for medium to large birds like African greys and Amazon birds, it's best for pet owners on the move. Make every journey memorable with Frisco by Chewy.

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Best Birdy Bath -  JW Pet InSight Bird Bath, Regular

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Specifications:

  • Dimensions: 6.5 x 6.5 x 6.5 inches
  • Easy To Install 
  • Simple To Clean
  • Birds Type: Canary, Finch, Parakeet, Lovebird, Cockatiel, Budgie, Parrotlet, Quaker, Conure
  • Material: Non-Toxic Plastic

What We Love:

Give your birdy a playful bathing experience with the JW Pet InSight Bird Bath. Made from safe, non-toxic plastic, this colorful bath features a unique rubber rim that helps keep water in, ensuring a cleaner cage. 

With its easy screw-on attachment, cleaning and removing the bath is a simple task. Watch your feathered friend splash around in delight as they enjoy this fun and functional addition to their home.

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Best Overall Bird Stand - Coziwow by Jaxpety Outdoor/Indoor Bird Stand Feeder Perch

 

helpful content chewy birds option 10

Specifications:

  • Dimensions: 19.9 x 18.3 x 50 inches
  • 4 Glide Casters & The 2 Brakes Lock
  • Spacious Wooden Perch
  • Birds Type: Cockatiel, Parrot
  • Material: Wood, Coated Metal, Metal

What We Love:

Get your birdy the Coziwow by Jaxpety Outdoor/Indoor Bird Stand Feeder Perch for playful enjoyable moments. Made from premium carbon steel with a durable black powder coating, this stand ensures sturdiness and longevity. 

Your feathered friend will adore the spacious wooden perch and stainless steel cups for easy eating and drinking. Easy portability with four glide casters and stability with two brakes make it perfect for any home.

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Conclusion

Are you ready to take your bird care to the next level? With our comprehensive guide to cage cleaning routines and top product picks, you'll be equipped to provide your feathered friend with the clean and healthy habitat they deserve. Let our experts show you the way to a happier, healthier birdy home.

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