Empty the feeder completely
Disassemble removable parts
Brush off loose seed, hulls, and debris
Wash with hot water and mild dish soap
Scrub all surfaces, corners, and feeding ports
Rinse thoroughly with clean water
Soak in a solution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water if needed
Let the bleach solution sit for 10 minutes
Rinse several times until no bleach smell remains
Air-dry completely before refilling
Clean feeders regularly, especially in warm or wet weather
Wear gloves when handling dirty feeders
Replace cracked or damaged parts
Clean the area around the feeder as well