Why Should I Clean New Parrot Toys?
Most toys and bird products are not properly cleaned and disinfected before going on the shelf so it is very important that you properly treat your bird supplies before giving it to your parrot. If your toy or accessory is new, you can skip "Step 1: Wash in Dishwasher" and start with heat treating in the oven."The Parrot Mom heat treats all their wood Xerches so you and your parrot can start enjoying them right away. I love how the Xerch Perch is designed. You can easily remove the branches to clean them. Learn more about the Xerch Perch here.
STEP 1: Wash In Dishwasher. Deep Cleans The Debris.
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Prep
- Gather Wood, Plastic (if dishwasher safe), Stainless Steel
- Use a rag or sponge to quickly clean “clumpy” debris (poop, food, who knows what, etc).
- Tip: Color will fade and may bleed on other items. Because I like to keep my toys bright and colorful, I separate my colored Xerches and toys by color. Then I place them in the dishwasher, separating each color using the dishwasher's utensil holder.
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Wash in dishwasher
- Set dishwasher to HEAVY WASH and HEAT DRY. You want to use as hot water as you can.
- DO NOT USE DETERGENT! The detergent may be absorbed in the wood and have unpleasant results for your parrot.
- After the water starts to run, add about a cup of VINEGAR to the dishwasher. I like to use Apple Cider Vinegar because it will make my kitchen smell nice. Learn more about different types of vinegar here.
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FINISH
- After the dishwasher is completed and the drying cycle has ended, remove items from the dishwasher. Clean any remaining debris with a clean cloth.
STEP 2: Dry and Heat Treat in Oven. Kills Insects.
NOTE: This step is for WOOD ONLY. This is important for thick pieces such as blocks and perches that may have absorbed lots of water. If you have plastic or plants that are not oven-safe SKIP THIS STEP and go to SUNDRY. Some items that are not oven-safe would be leaves and small twigs that may burn in the oven. Bugs enjoy all types of homes so use your discretion if you are not able to oven bake an item.
- BAKE your wood pieces.
- Preheat your oven to 200 degrees F.
- Place wood pieces on a cookie sheet. You can use foil to prop items if they need to keep them from rolling.
- If metal is secured, it may be placed in the oven as long as the metal is heat tolerant
- Bake wood for 2hrs. Any time your oven is on, you need to stay near and watch the oven to make sure nothing burns.
- Remove wood from the oven.
- 200 degrees is not very hot in terms of cooking but it is still very hot to the touch. Carefully remove the cookie sheet and allow it to cool. Be especially careful not to touch the metal parts as these will be very hot.
WARNING: If your items include glue or other material, they may be flammable.
STEP 3. Sun Dry. Kills Heat Resistant Bacteria.
You have probably read in The Parrot Mom's product description for the Xerch Perch, that the Xerches are twice-baked. Well, we believe in providing the highest quality product and safest materials which includes killing possible insects and bacteria. Some bacteria are heat resistant so after being treated in the oven, you still need to set them out in the sun. You can read more about how the sun's ultraviolet light kills bacteria here.
- Lie in sun for as long as you can. I usually place the wood outside around 10 a.m. At this time, the sun has started shining and the cool damp air from the night is gone. I leave it outside until about 5 pm when the sun is starting to set and you no longer feel the heat shining.
- Be sure to lay them in an area away from birds, squirrels, and other creatures. After all, you did just clean them and these creatures can introduce new bugs and bacteria.
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