While birds might be fun to watch, the damage that they can leave on your balcony and lawn furniture isn't. Not only is pigeon poop unsightly, but it can also be a health hazard. It's important to make sure to clean it from your home's outdoor areas.
Health Precautions
Bird feces carries with it hazards like slipping, but can also carry health risks as well. This is because it contains pathogens that can be harmful to humans if ingested. When you are cleaning pigeon droppings, you will want to make sure that you take the proper precautions by wearing gloves, a mask, closed-toe shoes, and long sleeve pants and top. Immune-compromised individuals shouldn't clean up pigeon droppings.
Multipurpose Method for Pigeon Poop
Whether you have a wood, cement or metal balcony, this method can help you remove stains and poop from your scenery.
Materials
- Scraper (plastic)
- Broom and dustpan
- Dishwashing detergent like Dawn
- Water
- Bucket
- Scrub brush
- Baking soda
Instructions
- For stuck-on droppings, take the scraper and remove it from the balcony. You are just trying to scrape off all the larger pieces. Be careful not to gouge wood.
- Use the broom and dustpan to sweep this up and dispose of it properly.
- Fill the bucket with warm water and add a tablespoon of detergent.
- Use the scrub brush to remove any fecal matter. This will take a bit of elbow grease.
- For stains, sprinkle the area with baking soda and allow it to sit for 30 minutes or so.
- Use the scrub brush to scrub the area.
- Rinse with water.
- Allow to air dry.
Cleaning a Wood Balcony
Depending on your balcony, you might take a different approach with wood. This method can help remove stains and odor from wood.
Supplies
- Scraper
- Broom and dustpan
- Club soda
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- Spray bottle
Method
- Use the scraper to remove any dried-on poop.
- Broom the area and use the dust pan to dispose of the fecal matter.
- Mix vinegar and water in a 50/50 mixture in the spray bottle.
- Spray the crusted areas and allow it to sit for 10-30 minutes.
- Rinse with club soda.
- Apply baking soda to stained areas and use the scrub brush. This will help to remove loosened up fecal matter and remove stains.
- Allow the baking soda to sit for 30 minutes.
- Rinse the area.
- Allow to air dry.
Removing Pigeon Poop from Metal
Metal is tougher stuff, so you can add a little more power to the mix.
What You Need
- Hose or power washer
- Laundry detergent
- Water
- Scrub brush
- Towel or rag
- Spray bottle
- Broom and dustpan
- Polishing compound
How to Clean
- Remove any loose poop with the broom and dustpan.
- In the spray bottle, mix 1 tbsp. of laundry detergent with 2 cups of water.
- Saturate the stuck on areas with the soapy water.
- Allow the mixture to sit for about 10-15 minutes.
- Take the rag or towel and remove the softened areas.
- Get the power washer or hose and spray the areas until all the poop is removed.
- Since pigeon poop is acidic, check the metal for signs of wear.
- Using a rag, apply the polishing compound.
Using Commercial Cleaners
If natural cleaners like detergent and baking soda aren't covering it, commercial cleaners are available that can be substituted. These also work great for areas that need lots of cleaning or larger areas. These include:
- Poop-Off Bird Poop Remover (about $10) is a spray cleaner that allows you to remove the poop without particles going into the air.
- Krud Kutter (about $12) is formulated to clean decks and will help remove stains from bird droppings.
- Dry disinfectant powders are another option, however make sure these are safe for your deck's material before using.
Getting Rid of the Smell
If you are looking to get rid of the pigeon dropping smell rather than the actual fecal matter, try vinegar and water or baking soda.
- To use baking soda for odor, just sprinkle it on the area and let it sit, then hose or broom it off.
- Mix 50/50 vinegar and water in a spray bottle and spray the area. Allow the vinegar to air dry to remove the smell.
All the Birds
Whether pigeons are overtaking your balcony or you just need to clean up a few random areas, several methods are available for cleaning your balcony depending on the type of material it is made out of. Thankfully, most of these methods only require items in your standard house cleaning arsenal.
