Are Clorox Wipes Safe for Birds? (Disinfecting, Wipe the cage down)

Birds can be quite messy, and if you have a pet bird, then you will be needing to clean up thrown food, accidents, and dander all the time.

You may consider using Clorox wipes because they are antibacterial and convenient to use, but they may not be safe to use around your birds.

Disinfecting cages, equipment, and your home is necessary in the fight against infections, deadly pathogens, or other serious health issues for you and your birds.

But many cleaners, especially chemical based cleaner, put birds at risk of chemical poisoning, which often leads to death.

Clorox Wipes are not safe to use around your bird on a regular basis. Although Clorox wipes do not contain bleach, their three main active ingredients pose a huge risk of respiratory side effects in your feathered friends. It is not advised to use Clorox Wipes in the bird’s enclosure, toys, or especially not directly on your birds.

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Why should I be careful of chemicals around my bird?

Birds have very sensitive respiratory systems and can easily become immunocompromised. Veterinarians have stated that around 75% of all bird deaths in their clinics are premature, often related to chemical exposures such as oven, carpet, and upholstery cleaners.

Everything that ends up near your bird will end up in the bird’s mouth, including its feet; so be cautious of what chemical they may be picking up when walking around your house.

What are the active ingredients in Clorox Wipes?

Active ingredients in Clorox Wipes include:

Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride
Alkyl dimethyl ethylbenzyl ammonium chloride
Alkyl dimethyl ethylbenzyl ammonium chlorides (1)

How dangerous are these chemicals considered?

On a scale from A to F, all these ingredients are given a grade of D from the Environmental Working Group because of their risk of potential serious side effects with extended use.

Some of these side effects include respiratory issues, endocrine disruption, and developmental problems.

These come from human case studies, therefore the findings are exasperated for birds because of their small size and sensitive respiratory systems.

Are there other potentially dangerous chemicals for birds in Clorox Wipes?

There is Isopropyl alcohol listed in the ingredients of Clorox Wipes, which has been given a grade of B for some concerns about its potential respiratory effects.

Again, this can pose a huge problem for birds because of their sensitive respiratory systems.

When is it safe to use bleach around birds?

According to research published in the journal of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science, 10% bleach wipes are a simple and useful sanitation tool for bird feeders only if used after the organic matter was removed with a different cleaning technique and is rinsed afterward. (2) Bleach should not be used with birds in their cages, near or on birds because it emits gases that can damage a bird’s respiratory system, especially after repeated exposure.

What are some safe alternative cleaners for birds?

Mild Dish Soap – Cleaning with a mild dish washing liquid on a consistent basis is a safe and effective way to clean the birds’ cages, perches, toys, and feeders.
White Distilled Vinegar – An age-old house cleaning secret, a mix of white distilled vinegar and water makes a great chemical free disinfectant. But be sure to rinse and let it air out before putting the bird back into its cage. (1 Cup Vinegar: 1 Gallon of Water)
Baking Soda – Used as an abrasive cleaner, baking soda mixed with a little bit of water will clean the stuck-on residue that other cleaners might leave behind. Splash with a little bit of vinegar for a safe chemical reaction that will increase your cleaning power.
Grapefruit seed extract – Cleaners with Grapefruit Seed Extract as their main active ingredient are great for cleaning surfaces that will be used to prepare your bird’s food.
Natural or lightly scented laundry detergent – When washing your bird’s linens use an all-natural vinegar-based laundry detergent or considerably dilute your regular detergent. Never use fabric softener sheets with your bird’s linens. (3)

What should I do to make sure my bird is protected from chemical poisoning?

Never use any product that produces an aerosol because those particles of fine mist will remain in the air for your bird to breathe. This included oven cleaners, which has been cited for the death of many birds.
Always thoroughly rinse anything that you have cleaned for your bird to ensure that there isn’t any chemical residue left on the item.
Use natural alternatives, like vinegar and baking soda.
Use less cleaning product for your bird than you would for yourself.
Always be cautious of where the bird is walking and what chemicals they may be picking up on their feet.
Removing food residue before disinfecting is one of the most important steps you can take to maintain a clean environment for yourself and your bird.

Conclusion

Birds are rewarding pets, but they take a lot of time and energy to make sure their environment is clean and safe for everyone living in the house.

It is not recommended to use Clorox wipes near your birds due to its potential to transfer dangerous chemicals to your birds. Since birds are particularly sensitive to chemicals, you are better off using an all-natural cleaner instead.

Either way, make sure to completely rinse anything that you clean before you give it back to your bird to be sure you removed any residue that could hurt your bird.

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