Preparing the Cleaning Solution

• 1). Fill a container with the bleach solution and soak the hummingbird brush and feeder in the bleach water. It is a good idea to swish the brush and feeder around several times to ensure every inch gets wet. Allow everything to sit for 30 minutes to an hour to ensure the items are disinfected thoroughly.
  
  
• 2). If encrusted with dirt or other substances scrub the brush under hot water for 20 minutes. An additional boiling water bath can be useful in killing germs and removing built on dirt.
  
  
• 3). An additional scrub with a toothbrush will help to remove hard to reach grime. Toothpicks are also useful in times like these.
  
  
• 4). Allow the brush and feeder to dry. Check for any missed gunk or cleaning residue. It is helpful to rinse several times before using the items.
  
  
• 5). While waiting for the items to dry, it is a a good time to examine the brush and feeder for defects. If the brush or feeder are coming apart or have areas that a cleaning solution cannot get to it is best to discard the items and replace them with new ones.