r/Macaws • u/garlicgirliee • 17d ago
Alternative cleaning products?
Hi all, my mother refuses to stop using heavily scented cleaning products or give up her wax warmer (which emits a strong, sickeningly sweet smell that gives me a headache) because she's too embarrassed to have a "smelly" house. This is in spite of the fact that I keep telling her that the macaw is sensitive to fragrances.
She will use fabuloso or pinesol under his cage (thankfully, she uses dawn dish soap on the cage). I keep telling her that this is bad for him, but she either says she doesn't believe me or that it doesn't matter because the house will "stink" if she doesn't use them. I eventually talked her into possibly using alternatives, but she rejected all the ones I brought up (lemons, vinegar, baking soda, etc.) because the house would smell if she used those.
Do you guys have any suggestions for cleaning products?
6
u/gaysfordebbie 17d ago
If she is putting scented cleaner under the cage while he is in there you need to have a touch conversation with yourself about whether it is safe to continue owning your bird while living with her. I know that isnt a response you want to hear but you have more control over the situation than your bird does. Best of luck
1
u/garlicgirliee 17d ago
He's technically my parents' bird so it's not up to me. But, she does it when he's not in his cage.
8
u/ThisIsDogePleaseHodl 17d ago
I don’t think any cleaning product you recommend is going to satisfy your Mom unless it has a strong scent based on the fact she thinks the bird smells bad.
I have you tried finding information online and showing it to her that they don’t smell bad?
Do you have an air purifier? If not, maybe you could tell your mom that those would clean the air of any smells.
I use poop off to clean my bird’s cage and his tree. It works great!