How can I clean a dirty concrete bird bath?
+10
I have a very dirty concrete bird bath that I would like to clean & paint. Can someone advise me what to use to clean the bowl & what kind of paint would be best for it. Thanks very much.
13 answers
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Water pressure
![Julie]()
Julie
on Mar 19, 2016
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My husband has a pressure washer and this is how we clean our two bird baths.
![Linda]()
Linda
on Mar 19, 2016
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If that does not work you will need some acid, then clean well air out then paint.
![Sheila]()
Sheila
on Mar 19, 2016
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I would not use any chemicals on the bird bath it is dangerous for the birds.Try a more natural approach of water and baking soda in to a paste and scrub . Rinse well. As for painting the bird bath I am not sure there is a safe paint that will also not harm them, however if you do paint it make sure it is for concrete .
![Janet Pizaro]()
Janet Pizaro
on Mar 19, 2016
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If it's algae, I use a scrubby brush running water, and vinegar, or sometimes let it sit with diluted bleach and water to kill the algae.....
![Victoria Howard]()
Victoria Howard
on Mar 19, 2016
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Best thing to use is ordinary Arm & Hammer baking soda, water, and a brush. it's really cheap, and it won't hurt the birds. As for the paint, almost any paint will work, but I'd use a water-base spray paint. It will fill all the tiny holes, and when you are done, it cleans up nice & fast. Don't use any paint that requires paint thinner etc. to clean up after, because the birds will get sick on the paint. Empty & clean the birdbath every 2-3 days to prevent mosquitoes from using it as a nursery. That will also keep the mold from forming in it.
![John Mooney]()
John Mooney
on Mar 19, 2016
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Seems the cleaning is covered, but you could use a marine paint as a waterproof base. Just ask a pet shop, they are very helpful.
![Ranger]()
Ranger
on Mar 20, 2016
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Pressure wash, let dry 2-3 days, paint with elastomeric paint.
![Joe Howell]()
Joe Howell
on Mar 20, 2016
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I like Joe do the pressure wash thing every spring. You may have to do a bit of scrubbing here and there but I do not use any soap so I do not have to worry about any residue when done
![Rae]()
Rae
on Mar 20, 2016
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Cleaning vinegar does wonders for cement. I always just ask the store guys about paint, then carefully read the label of what they suggest.
![Jennie Lee]()
Jennie Lee
on Mar 20, 2016
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I will scrub with baking soda paste & then pressure wash it.
![Beverly McKinney]()
Beverly McKinney
on Mar 20, 2016
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DO NOT USE BLEACH! there is some kind of a reaction with the cement and it is nasty.... learned that on the hard way.
![Donna]()
Donna
on Mar 20, 2016
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baking soda, vinegar and some hard scrubbing then let it be, do not paint it. let it's natural age show. Don't be 'fancy stupid' It has it's own character to speak for, don't cover it up. If you were a bird would you want to dunk into of a 'pretty in pink' made to be fancy bath or a natural looking shell bath your mom might have dunked into?
![Johnchip]()
Johnchip
on Mar 20, 2016
Julie
on Mar 19, 2016
Linda
on Mar 19, 2016
Sheila
on Mar 19, 2016
Janet Pizaro
on Mar 19, 2016
Victoria Howard
on Mar 19, 2016
John Mooney
on Mar 19, 2016
Ranger
on Mar 20, 2016
Joe Howell
on Mar 20, 2016
Rae
on Mar 20, 2016
Jennie Lee
on Mar 20, 2016
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