Birdbaths, Bird Feeders, and Birdhouses
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Just as our bathtubs, kitchens, and houses need constant attention to keep them clean, so do the identical spots we set up for our feathered friends. Keep birdbaths, feeders, and houses free of fungi, algae, and bacteria, and those birds will happily return for more. The key here is to team elbow grease with your favriote scrub brush and a tired toothbrush.
Clean a birdbath once a week during warm weather, the busy season for birds of a feather to flock together in the sun-warmed bath you provide. Remember that birdbaths with stale standing water can turn into fertile breeding grounds for mosquito larvae, so the dumping and cleaning of birdbaths is imperative.
First, use a scrub brush with stiff bristles and warm water to scrub out the birdbath. If the bath has a telltale ring from algae or other deposits or feels slimy to the touch, it's time to get aggressive. Mix a solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water in a clean bucket and use that to scrub the bath. Be sure to wear
Ring Around the Birdbath
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Birds don't take kindly to the residue that soap can leave behind in a birdbath, feeder, or house, so reach for the bleach instead. "Bleach won't harm birds, as long as you use it in a weak concentration,' explains Gary Slone, assistant director of the Wildlife Care Center at the Audubon Society of Portland, Oregon. "Bleach also breaks down quickly in the environment, so there's no danger there
either." The only ris is that bleach can sometimes whiten a wooden bird feeder or house. So don't let either soak in a bleach solution. Instead, rinse thoroughly and swiftly, then dry.
And shy away from treating wooden birdhouses and feeders with any wood preservative containing petroleum distillates. The fumes they emit could harm birds.
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rubber gloves to protect your hands. (If you don't like the notion of using bleach, mix equal parts of white vinegar and water and scrub.) Rinse well with fresh water and air-dry.
Clean bird feeders every two weeks year-round. This is because birdseed and other bird food get damp and moldy in humid conditions, and the birds feeding at your trough could get sick. Take apart your wooden feeder, if you can. Dust off the pieces with a wire brush, then scrub with warm water and a stiff bristled scrub brush. If the feeder is really funky, wear rubber gloves and mix 1 part bleach to 10 parts water in a clean bucket.
Vigorously scrub inside and out. Rinse thoroughly and then dry. For plastic or metal feeders, brush them out, then rinse with warm water and dry with a soft cloth. Or let them dry in the sun.
Let's not forget the feeders for nature's little helicopters, hummingbirds. Flush out your feeder every few days during warm weather with hot water and replace the stale sugar-water solution inside with fresh stuff. Hummingbirds are susceptible to the diseases that can grow in moldy sugar water.
Clean a birdhouse during cold weather, when birds aren't feathering their nests inside. If the birdhouse has a removable side or top panel, take it off and dip the pieces into a solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water. Brandishing an old toothbrush, dig into the cracks and crevices--this is where feather mites, which feed on bird feathers, often lurk. You don't want these bugs infesting
the next generation to take up residence in your birdhouse. To guard against mites, as well as fleas, flies, larvae, and lice, use a 1 percent rotenone powder or pyrethrin spray. (Both are insecticides sold at hardware stores.)
Blankets
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Are friends telling you not to wash your blankets? They're all wet! Most blankets, even some wools, can be washed at home. Besure to check care label instructions before attempting any at home washing, though. And make certain that your washer and dryer will hold the blanket comfortably. Otherwise, the blanket won't rinse or dry properly. If home equipment is too small, take your blanket to a self-service laundry with a commercial-size washer and dryer.
Before washing a wool blanket, check the label to make sure it is washable. If it isn't have it dry-cleaned. If it is, measure the blanket and save the measurements for later. Pretreat any spots or stains with stain remover, following label directions. If the binding (the narrow fabric along the edges) is really grungy, use a nylon bristled scrub brush to gently scrub it with 1/2 cup of liquid dishwashing detergent or make a paste of equal parts mild detergent granules and water and apply it carefully. Gentleness is critical here because the binding could shred if it's old and worn.
To machine-wash a wool blanket, fill the washer with cold water and a mild-detergent (Downy,Dreft, or Woolite), letting it agitate for a minute to dissolve the detergent. Add the blanket,distributing it around the agitator and wetting it thoroughly. Allow the blanket to soak for 15 minutes, then start the washer again and allow the washing cycle to complete. Spin the blanket one minute, then push the timer forward to the deep rinse cycle. Allow the washer to finish its cycle.
To hand-wash a wool blanket--if your blanket won't fit into a washer, or you just hanker for a messier alternative--fill the bathtub with cold water and add 1/4 cup of mild laundry detergent or 1 teaspoon of liquid dishwashing detergent. Put the blanket in and press down to wash. To rinse, fill the tub several times with fresh, cool water. Squeeze out--but don't wring!--excess water by rolling up your sodden blanket in two or three large white towels.
To dry a wool blanket, you have several drying options:
Washing aluminum and vinyl blinds is fine, but don't use harsh cleaners or abrasives on them. And don't use any cleaner with ammonia on aluminum, because it will damage the finish. to clean aluminum or vinyl blinds, you have a couple of choices: you can wash them right where they're hanging, or you can treat them to a stint in the shower or tub.
To wash blinds while they're on your windows, mix 2 ounces of trisodium phosphate (a concentrated cleaner sold at hardware stores) in a bucket of clean water. Protect your eyes with goggles and put on rubber gloves and a long-sleeved shirt. Wipe down the blinds with a soft rag dipped in the mixture, then dry them with another soft cloth.
Simple SOLUTIONS
Backyard Spritzer >
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just as our bathtubs, kitchens, and houses need constant attention to keep them clean, so do the identical spots we set up for our feathered friends. Keep birdbaths, feeders, and houses free of fungi, algae, and bacteria, and those birds will happily return for more. The key here is to team elbow grease with your favriote scrub brush and a tired toothbrush.
Clean a birdbath once a week during warm weather, the busy season for birds of a feather to flock together in the sun-warmed bath you provide. Remember that birdbaths with stale standing water can turn into fertile breeding grounds for mosquito larvae, so the dumping and cleaning of birdbaths is imperative.
First, use a scrub brush with stiff bristles and warm water to scrub out the birdbath. If the bath has a telltale ring from algae or other deposits or feels slimy to the touch, it's time to get aggressive. Mix a solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water in a clean bucket and use that to scrub the bath. Be sure to wear
Ring Around the Birdbath
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Birds don't take kindly to the residue that soap can leave behind in a birdbath, feeder, or house, so reach for the bleach instead. "Bleach won't harm birds, as long as you use it in a weak concentration,' explains Gary Slone, assistant director of the Wildlife Care Center at the Audubon Society of Portland, Oregon. "Bleach also breaks down quickly in the environment, so there's no danger there
either." The only ris is that bleach can sometimes whiten a wooden bird feeder or house. So don't let either soak in a bleach solution. Instead, rinse thoroughly and swiftly, then dry.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
rubber gloves to protect your hands. (If you don't like the notion of using bleach, mix equal parts of white vinegar and water and scrub.) Rinse well with fresh water and air-dry.
 |
| brush |
Vigorously scrub inside and out. Rinse thoroughly and then dry. For plastic or metal feeders, brush them out, then rinse with warm water and dry with a soft cloth. Or let them dry in the sun.
Let's not forget the feeders for nature's little helicopters, hummingbirds. Flush out your feeder every few days during warm weather with hot water and replace the stale sugar-water solution inside with fresh stuff. Hummingbirds are susceptible to the diseases that can grow in moldy sugar water.
Clean a birdhouse during cold weather, when birds aren't feathering their nests inside. If the birdhouse has a removable side or top panel, take it off and dip the pieces into a solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water. Brandishing an old toothbrush, dig into the cracks and crevices--this is where feather mites, which feed on bird feathers, often lurk. You don't want these bugs infesting
the next generation to take up residence in your birdhouse. To guard against mites, as well as fleas, flies, larvae, and lice, use a 1 percent rotenone powder or pyrethrin spray. (Both are insecticides sold at hardware stores.)
Blankets
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Are friends telling you not to wash your blankets? They're all wet! Most blankets, even some wools, can be washed at home. Besure to check care label instructions before attempting any at home washing, though. And make certain that your washer and dryer will hold the blanket comfortably. Otherwise, the blanket won't rinse or dry properly. If home equipment is too small, take your blanket to a self-service laundry with a commercial-size washer and dryer.
Before washing a wool blanket, check the label to make sure it is washable. If it isn't have it dry-cleaned. If it is, measure the blanket and save the measurements for later. Pretreat any spots or stains with stain remover, following label directions. If the binding (the narrow fabric along the edges) is really grungy, use a nylon bristled scrub brush to gently scrub it with 1/2 cup of liquid dishwashing detergent or make a paste of equal parts mild detergent granules and water and apply it carefully. Gentleness is critical here because the binding could shred if it's old and worn.
To machine-wash a wool blanket, fill the washer with cold water and a mild-detergent (Downy,Dreft, or Woolite), letting it agitate for a minute to dissolve the detergent. Add the blanket,distributing it around the agitator and wetting it thoroughly. Allow the blanket to soak for 15 minutes, then start the washer again and allow the washing cycle to complete. Spin the blanket one minute, then push the timer forward to the deep rinse cycle. Allow the washer to finish its cycle.
To hand-wash a wool blanket--if your blanket won't fit into a washer, or you just hanker for a messier alternative--fill the bathtub with cold water and add 1/4 cup of mild laundry detergent or 1 teaspoon of liquid dishwashing detergent. Put the blanket in and press down to wash. To rinse, fill the tub several times with fresh, cool water. Squeeze out--but don't wring!--excess water by rolling up your sodden blanket in two or three large white towels.
To dry a wool blanket, you have several drying options:
- Use your dryer with the No Heat setting.
- Spread out dry towels atop a shady picnic table, flatten the blanket out on them, and stretch it to its original shape, using the measurements you saved.
- Hang the blanket over two tightly strung clotheslines that won't drop under the blanket's weight.
If you choose the second or third approaches, plump up the blanket afterward in the dryer on the No Heat Setting.
To clean a nylon flock blanket--Vellux is the most common brand--it in the washer in warm water and laundry detergent. Dry in the dryer on medium heat. Remove pronto. Never dry clean a nylon flock blanket--never spot clean it, for that matter. Cleaning solvents can eat away the two thin layers of polyurethane foam inside the velvety exterior. ( Mothballs have the same effect, so never store nylon flock blankets anywhere near them.)
To clean a cotton or acrylic blanket, it's just fine to launder it. Wash the blanket in a washer with cold water as part of a normal load, being careful not to overload the drum. Dry a knitted cotton blanket in a dryer on low heat so it won't pill. For other cotton blankets, the regular setting is OK. Or you can hang a cotton blanket from a taut clothesline to dry. Tumble-dry an acrylic blanket on low heat.
Blinds
To clean a nylon flock blanket--Vellux is the most common brand--it in the washer in warm water and laundry detergent. Dry in the dryer on medium heat. Remove pronto. Never dry clean a nylon flock blanket--never spot clean it, for that matter. Cleaning solvents can eat away the two thin layers of polyurethane foam inside the velvety exterior. ( Mothballs have the same effect, so never store nylon flock blankets anywhere near them.)
To clean a cotton or acrylic blanket, it's just fine to launder it. Wash the blanket in a washer with cold water as part of a normal load, being careful not to overload the drum. Dry a knitted cotton blanket in a dryer on low heat so it won't pill. For other cotton blankets, the regular setting is OK. Or you can hang a cotton blanket from a taut clothesline to dry. Tumble-dry an acrylic blanket on low heat.
Blinds
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Blinds are like miniature dust-collecting shelves. Ignore them, and you'll have an entire dust library in no time. Don't worry--we'll pull a few strings to make the cleanup easy.
To dust your blinds, use the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner and adjust the blinds to expose the flat surface. Then, from top to bottom and left to right, vacuum the entire surface. Reverse the slats and repeat. Other options:
Use a lamb's wool duster to clean the slats.
Rub an old paintbrush along each slat.
Saturate a cloth with rubbing alochol and wrap it around a rubber spatula, which you then stick between the open slats to dust. Wear an old pair of thick absorbent cloth gloves and wipe the slats by hand.
Blinds made of natural materials can be damaged by water.
Blinds are like miniature dust-collecting shelves. Ignore them, and you'll have an entire dust library in no time. Don't worry--we'll pull a few strings to make the cleanup easy.
To dust your blinds, use the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner and adjust the blinds to expose the flat surface. Then, from top to bottom and left to right, vacuum the entire surface. Reverse the slats and repeat. Other options:
Use a lamb's wool duster to clean the slats.
Saturate a cloth with rubbing alochol and wrap it around a rubber spatula, which you then stick between the open slats to dust. Wear an old pair of thick absorbent cloth gloves and wipe the slats by hand.
Blinds made of natural materials can be damaged by water.
- Parchment, paper, or rice paper should not get wet at all. Clean them as you would nonwashable wallpaper--with commercial cleaning putty or an art gum eraser. Or find a spot remover that claims to work on the material at hand and test it on an inconspicuous area first.
- Wood and bamboo blinds should not be immersed in water.Wipe them down with a damp rag soaked in a solution of liquid dishwashing detergent and water. Then dry them quickly with a fresh rag.
Washing aluminum and vinyl blinds is fine, but don't use harsh cleaners or abrasives on them. And don't use any cleaner with ammonia on aluminum, because it will damage the finish. to clean aluminum or vinyl blinds, you have a couple of choices: you can wash them right where they're hanging, or you can treat them to a stint in the shower or tub.
To wash blinds while they're on your windows, mix 2 ounces of trisodium phosphate (a concentrated cleaner sold at hardware stores) in a bucket of clean water. Protect your eyes with goggles and put on rubber gloves and a long-sleeved shirt. Wipe down the blinds with a soft rag dipped in the mixture, then dry them with another soft cloth.
Simple SOLUTIONS
Backyard Spritzer >
- If you blinds are washable, why not spritz them off outside on a nice day? Spread and old shower curtain or piece of plastic on a level part of your driveway, open the blinds, and spray them with a garden hose.Then use either of the washing solutions mentioned here to clean the slats with gloved fingers. Rinse thoroughly. Dry with clean towels, or air-dry.
- To give blinds a bath, raise the blinds, unlock the brackets at the top, and remove them from the holder. Run enough warm water in the tub to cover the blinds and add 1 to 2 cups of powdered dishwasher detergent. Protecting your hands with rubber gloves, place the blinds in the water and extend them.Dip the blinds several times to loosen grime. Then let them soak for five minutes. Use your gloved fingers to clean both sides of each slat. Drain the dirty water and either rinse the blinds in another tubful of water or give them a spritz in the shower. Spread out the blinds on a clean towel and blot with another towel. When the blinds are completely dry, spray them with an antistatic aerosol spray, such as Static Guard, or wipe fabric softener sheets on each slat. This keeps them from attracting dust, hair, bugs, and other yucky stuff.
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