Last Updated on by Mitch Rezman
Lee asks
Hi Windy City,
Does anyone out there clean their perches with peroxide?
Is it safe?
I’ve tried various surface cleaning methods followed by baking.
Most recently, after cleaning off loose debris, I soaked in bleach water, then steamed with a brush attachment.
During a cold spell, so I did this indoors.
The steam aerosolized – something.
A lot of allergens if not actual pathogens.
Baked at 380 F. (Read this is the dry temp to kill spores.)
My birds look like they are recolonizing after a forest fire, but they are not avoiding any perches, so I think they are ok (the perches).
Some of the perches are unusual shapes; I’d like to keep them until I can find something equally novel for the birds.
Peroxide was suggested because it breaks down organic matter, but it can be hard to completely rinse off (on fabric anyway).
Do you know if it’s safe to use? At what point do you determine that the perch is beyond cleaning and simply needs to be tossed?
Thanks, Lee
Greetings Lee,
You are overthinking this grasshopper.
Although peroxide is bird safe and can be used to clean wounds on injured birds, it’s really not necessary to clean perches.
Perch cleaning has two sides.
Particulate/poop removal and sterilization.
Our favorite poop removal tool is Poop off.
You’re on the right track with steam cleaning.
Steam cleaning will steam and sanitize while it helps remove the poop.
As for knowing when to determine that the perches are beyond cleaning, I think you are wise enough to be able to look at a perch and say “this has got to go”.
Hope that helps.
Best
Mitchr
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