Jute twine safe for budgies??? Safe bells?

Question

I bought some sisal rope, wood beads, bells, coconut shell, and jute twine to make some birds toys. I did research and choose all the things that were said to be safe... EXCEPT

after spending hours making all the toys, I showed my husband who promptly noticed a smell coming from the jute twine. He said it smelled like kerosene, which I guess is sometimes used as a preservative? I could not smell it do to a cold.

Why would people write articles telling me its safe to use jute twine if there is kerosene on it? Is it actually safe?

Is there any way to get it OFF of the rope? I spent hours making the toys and I really hoped I could use them. We thought about maybe soaking it in oj or possibly rubbing degreaser hand cleaner on it and letting it sit.

If its not going to work, I guess Ill have to take it apart. :(

Also are the bells from the craft store ok to use? I read something about metal poisoning

Answer 1

To be safe I would remove the twine. The bells from the craft store more than likely have zinc in them and I would not use them.

The only safe metal for bells and toys is stainless steel. Check out this site for SAFE bird toy makings.
http://www.greyfeathertoys.com/

Answer 2

Jute, like many or Most natural fibers IS safe, but preservatives (at least most of them) are dangerous if not downright tixic to most living things. Jute will stand up to soaking and rinsing in warm water. do this a few times til the smell is gone, which will mean the petroleum product is also gone or at least very diluted.