Originally Posted by
Prism99
Actually, fabric scraps can be toxic to baby birds. They retain moisture too long after rain, so the babies are much more likely to develop pneumonia. It's better for birds to use grasses, reeds, etc. that shed moisture rapidly. Also, any unwashed fabric scraps would have chemicals that are probably not good for birds.
It's a suggestion from the Audubon Society. And all my fabric is washed before use.