How to Clean a Hummingbird Feeder

Pour out all the nectar., Disassemble the feeder., Select a cleaner., Soak your feeder., Scrub down the interior of your feeder., Rinse the feeder completely., Allow it to dry completely.

7 Steps 2 min read Medium

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Step 1: Pour out all the nectar.

    As you likely stock your feeder with nectar, make sure to remove that before cleaning the feeder.

    You should simply pour the nectar down the drain, as it can be difficult to save the nectar for later.

    You can make more nectar later with simple sugar and water or restock the feeder with store bought nectar., You may need the manufacturer's guidelines to disassemble your feeder.

    However, disassembling a feeder is often self-explanatory.

    You can usually see the knobs and screws that must be undone to take the feeder part.If you are at all unsure, however, you should consult the guidelines to make sure you do not damage your feeder.

    If you lost the guidelines, you can type the name of your feeder into a search engine.

    You may be able to find a copy of the guidelines online. , Usually, bleach is not necessary unless there is black mold in the feeder.

    For the most part, minor cleansers work best as they're less likely to leave behind harmful residue or damage the feeder.Unless you see mold, opt for white vinegar or 3% hydrogen peroxide as your cleaner.

    Vinegar should be diluted with water.

    Use two parts water to one part vinegar.You can also use simple dish soap. , Fill up your sink with your chosen cleaner.

    Allow your feeder to soak for several hours.

    This will remove any toxins and make it easier to scrub off any grime., You will need a thin bottle brush to get into the various nooks and crannies of the feeder.

    Scrub the interior of your feeder with the bottle brush.

    You want to remove any nectar or sugar residue, as this can spoil and contaminate new nectar.After being soaked, residue should come off easily.

    You should not have to scrub with too much force. , Rinse the feeder under hot, running tap water.

    Rinse each part of the feeder until the water runs clear.

    It's very important to rinse the feeder completely in order to keep harmful residue from getting into hummingbird nectar., Set the feeder in a dry, safe place in your home.

    Allow it to air dry completely before reassembling it and putting it back in place.

    How long this will take depends on the humidity of your region.

    It can take anywhere from a few hours to overnight.
  2. Step 2: Disassemble the feeder.

  3. Step 3: Select a cleaner.

  4. Step 4: Soak your feeder.

  5. Step 5: Scrub down the interior of your feeder.

  6. Step 6: Rinse the feeder completely.

  7. Step 7: Allow it to dry completely.

Detailed Guide

As you likely stock your feeder with nectar, make sure to remove that before cleaning the feeder.

You should simply pour the nectar down the drain, as it can be difficult to save the nectar for later.

You can make more nectar later with simple sugar and water or restock the feeder with store bought nectar., You may need the manufacturer's guidelines to disassemble your feeder.

However, disassembling a feeder is often self-explanatory.

You can usually see the knobs and screws that must be undone to take the feeder part.If you are at all unsure, however, you should consult the guidelines to make sure you do not damage your feeder.

If you lost the guidelines, you can type the name of your feeder into a search engine.

You may be able to find a copy of the guidelines online. , Usually, bleach is not necessary unless there is black mold in the feeder.

For the most part, minor cleansers work best as they're less likely to leave behind harmful residue or damage the feeder.Unless you see mold, opt for white vinegar or 3% hydrogen peroxide as your cleaner.

Vinegar should be diluted with water.

Use two parts water to one part vinegar.You can also use simple dish soap. , Fill up your sink with your chosen cleaner.

Allow your feeder to soak for several hours.

This will remove any toxins and make it easier to scrub off any grime., You will need a thin bottle brush to get into the various nooks and crannies of the feeder.

Scrub the interior of your feeder with the bottle brush.

You want to remove any nectar or sugar residue, as this can spoil and contaminate new nectar.After being soaked, residue should come off easily.

You should not have to scrub with too much force. , Rinse the feeder under hot, running tap water.

Rinse each part of the feeder until the water runs clear.

It's very important to rinse the feeder completely in order to keep harmful residue from getting into hummingbird nectar., Set the feeder in a dry, safe place in your home.

Allow it to air dry completely before reassembling it and putting it back in place.

How long this will take depends on the humidity of your region.

It can take anywhere from a few hours to overnight.

About the Author

A

Aaron West

Brings years of experience writing about DIY projects and related subjects.

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