How to Clean a Birdbath
Without regular cleaning birdbaths can get pretty gross, especially after the winter months. It's important to clean your bird bath and replace the water regularly to provide a clean environment for birds and prevent bugs. I'm going to show you what works best for me when it comes to cleaning my bird bath.
Best value vinegar!
To clean your birdbath you will need a bucket, gloves, steel wool and vinegar.
Add water and vinegar to your bucket using the ratio 4:1. Four cups of water per one cup of vinegar. Once that is done you're ready to head outside.
You're going to start by removing all debris and dirty water.
If you use rocks in your bird bath remove them and put them into a separate bucket.
When all the debris and water are removed use the highest power setting on your hose to remove as much crud as you can. Them empty the water.
Now you're going soak your steel wool in the water and vinegar mixture and scrub your bird bath. It may take a little elbow grease! Make sure to get into all of the nooks and crannies the best you can.
When you've scrubbed as much as you can, rinse your bird bath.
Once your done rinsing give your bird bath one more scrub with the stool wool and vinegar mixture. If it still needs cleaning rinse and scrub again. Depending on how dirty your bird bath is, you may need to repeat this step a third time. Don't get discouraged!
When you are done scrubbing for the final time rinse your bird bath for at least five minutes. You want to be sure there is no more vinegar left behind.
When you are finished rinsing the bird bath you can add the rocks to the vinegar and water bucket. Use your steel wool to scrub the rocks clean.
When the rocks are clean move them back to to the other buck and rinse them for at least five minutes to get rid of any leftover residue and vinegar. An old strainer can also work well for the rinsing process.
When they are rinsed you can add them back to your bird bath and refill it with fresh, clean water.
This method of cleaning a birdbath is not only safe but also works quite well with a bit of elbow grease. I hope this is helpful for you and that you now have the knowledge you need to provide a safe and clean space for birds and other critters to enjoy.
Comments
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Birds need clean water during the winter also. Keep bath clean year round!
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Thanks for the cleaning tips... will the vinegar water hurt the plants that are growing around my bird bath or do I need to move the bird bath and clean it somewhere else away from plantings.
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Remove the top part as vinegar is a weed killer.
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
I use bleach, works faster and easier.
Wouldn't it be easier to cover the cleaned bird bath with a green garbage bag for the Fall/Winter, then start with a clean bird bath in Spring?
Why do you put the rocks in the birdbath