How do you clean and keep clean a decorative cement bird bath?
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I have a cement bird bath that has a decorative design molded into its basin which I am constantly trying to keep clean. I never really get all the grung out of all of the design crevices and it has turned black over time. I have tried power washing it and that does the best but I usually only do that in the spring with the rest of the heavy duty outside cleaning. A scrub brush doesn't seem to get into the design either and doesn't get it really clean. I try to be careful of what I use for the birds although they don't seem to care that it is dirty I have read that it should be kept clean for them. Poor choice I guess but it is really pretty and the birds really like it.
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Take it out of commission for a day and fill it with 50 / 50 solution of white vinegar and water. Set in sun and check every half hour or so, put an old towel over it so the birds do not jump in and get hurt. When clean, give it a good rinse and refill. Works like magic. Mine gets rinsed out every day or at least every other day during the spring summer and fall.
VINEGAR AND BAKING SODA
Wash it out with water and baking soda
Try using a copper scouring pad (NO SOAP!) and hot water. This will remove most of the black, if not all. The trick is to get it early. What remains often gives the bird bath an "aged" look which can be quite attractive. Also, add a cap full of apple cider vinegar to the fresh water when you refill the bird bath. Refreshing the bird bath daily with clean water also helps keep the algae at bay. If you must remove all of the black, you can use a dish soap and water solution and the scouring pad followed by a toothbrush to get into the nooks and crannies. Remember though, the bird bath will have to be rinsed thoroughly!! Enjoy! Birds love to have a fresh water bath :)