help! my mom won't switch over cleaning products

[Hayniac]

Hi,
I'm getting a cockatiel, but my mom won't agree to using bird safe cleaning products.
She uses some pretty strong chemical ones for the floor, but she claims the bird will be "fine" and won't listen when I say it's not safe.
If I keep the doors close and turn on the air purifier on full blast, will my bird be okay?

 

[MommyBird]

Hi,
I'm getting a cockatiel, but my mom won't agree to using bird safe cleaning products.
She uses some pretty strong chemical ones for the floor, but she claims the bird will be "fine" and won't listen when I say it's not safe.
If I keep the doors close and turn on the air purifier on full blast, will my bird be okay?

I don't know if it would be OK or not, but I want to clarify than an air filter, even if it is a HEPA filter, would not have an effect no matter how high it is turned on. It would need to also have a fresh charcoal filter that is graded to remove VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) to do what you are thinking.

 

[birdbuster]

If the environment your bird is in will be affecting your birds health, you shouldn't get a bird.

 

[Icey]

What kind of cleaner will she be using, and is the bird going to be in the same room?

 

[Hayniac]

Not sure what brand cleaner she uses, probably just standard floor cleaning stuff.
The bird would not be in the same room, but he'd still be able to smell it probably, because the whole house always smells like it.

 

[Clueless]

Hi,
I'm getting a cockatiel, but my mom won't agree to using bird safe cleaning products.
She uses some pretty strong chemical ones for the floor, but she claims the bird will be "fine" and won't listen when I say it's not safe.
If I keep the doors close and turn on the air purifier on full blast, will my bird be okay?

Just my thoughts here.....

The canary in a coal mine image is what I tell my family to remind them of their precious lungs.

A canary died back then so the coal miners knew to get out of the mine to prevent harm to the humans.... who breathed in and breathed out in their TWO LUNGS.

A little canary couldn't breathe in and breathe out because their lungs and air sacs retain that breath for a while. That bad air stays.....

I don't have time right now but if you Google the respiratory system of a bird you might be able to help others to understand.

 

[Shezbug]

Is your mum actually ok with you getting a bird or has she only ok’ed it under pressure?

Sounds to me like there is no interest on your mums part to have this bird in her home (maybe I’m wrong) and I think that often makes for a dangerous and also stressful environment for everyone when not all in the house are on the same page- at the end of the day it is the innocent animal who is harmed.

If she is ok with the bird coming into the home then she will in all fairness to the bird need to make some changes in order to help keep your air quality safe.

 

[Hayniac]

My mom actually is the one that suggested I get a pet to begin with, because she thought it would be good for me, but I don't think she realized just how much caring for a pet includes. I'll share with her what you guys said about coal mines and making changes and maybe she'll change her mind.
I asked my mom what cleaning stuff she uses, and she says she uses murphys oil soap for the floors, and in the bathrooms she uses Clorox, but the bathroom is all the way down the hall.
Thank you so much for your replies!

 

[Clueless]

@Hayniac

Why don't you start a thread and ask folks if they use Murphys oil soap on their floors?

My bathrooms are far away from Secret and while I try to use vinegar and water and baking soda for some things, I'm lazy and clean the toilets with commercial cleaners.

The main thing you MUST get family to agree on is to NEVER, EVER use the self-clean function on the stove. It kills birds. The pots and pans are a big deal too. You need to look into that.

 

[Hayniac]

Thanks for your advice! I already got her to agree to never use the self-clean function on the stove.

 

[Sparkles99]

If she okayed a pet, perhaps a small rodent might be the answer. It sounds like you came up with what type of pet, not her?