How to Clean a Bird Bath Without Scrubbing

How to Clean a Bird Bath Without Scrubbing

Fortunately, it is simple to clean a bird bath without scrubbing or too much elbow grease if you follow the proper steps. This technique will take around 30 minutes, though for much of the time you'll be able to tend to other tasks as the bath cleans itself. While this basic technique is suitable for bird baths of any material, it's most effective on concrete bird baths or plastic basins. If your bath is unique or delicate, take precautions to protect it before trying this technique.

1. Empty the Bird Bath

   Remove the contaminated water. Though this water is often filled with organic material such as feces, algae, and dirt, it is still safe for watering nearby flowers, so dump the water out in an area where it will be recycled to help the rest of your garden. If the basin of your bath does not detach, simply tip or tilt the pedestal carefully to drain the water onto nearby plants or grass.

   To safeguard your birds from this dirty water, avoid dumping the basin near bird feeders or spilled seed that ground-feeding birds may sample.

2. Rinse the Basin

   Using the highest pressure setting on your hose nozzle, rinse the bird bath for 10 to 15 seconds to remove any stuck-on debris, feces, or loose dirt. You may not see much change from this rinse, but removing surface material will help the bath be cleaned more thoroughly. If your bird bath has a textured basin, tilt your hose at different angles to get into every nook and cranny.

   If the surface of your bird bath is delicate, avoid the highest pressure setting, as that may loosen a mosaic tile or chip a surface finish. Instead, use a lower pressure or wipe the surface lightly with a soft sponge or rag.

3. Refill the Basin

   Refill the basin with fresh water until it is almost full. Fill it past any obvious dirt or algae lines to ensure that every surface that needs to be cleaned will be, as only areas covered with water will be cleaned. Check that the basin is as level as possible to ensure uniform water levels for effective cleaning. You can leave the basin on the ground for this step, but it will be just as easy if it stays on its pedestal.

4. Add Bleach

   Carefully add a generous cupful of bleach to the water, taking care not to spill onto nearby plants or grass, and avoid splashing onto clothing or nearby fabrics. When adding the bleach, pour it slowly around the entire surface of the basin to mix it thoroughly with the water. If desired, use a stick or twig to mix the bleach with the water.

   The amount of bleach you add can vary, but do not add more than 1 1/2 cups to a basic bird bath. A shallow bath will need less bleach, while more bleach may be necessary for a deeper or excessively dirty bird bath. Basic chlorine bleach is most effective, but if you prefer a green-based similar product, you can adjust this cleaning technique for your preferences. Do not use window cleaners, powdered cleansers, or other types of chemical products, as they will not be effective.

5. Cover the Basin

   Cover the entire basin with your black plastic trash bag. This will keep the birds away so they do not drink or bathe in the chemically treated water, and the black color will absorb solar radiation to heat the water and clean the bath more quickly. Pull the bag completely over the basin and down the pedestal so it will not blow away in a breeze. If you are cleaning a ground bath, weigh the bag down along the edges to keep it in place.

   Leave the bath to soak for 10 to 15 minutes. Extremely dirty bird baths may need longer soaking to be fully clean. Soaking the bath longer will not be detrimental in any way—the bath will just get cleaner.

6. Remove the Trash Bag

   When you remove the trash bag after letting the bleach water soak, your bird bath will look like new. If there are still remains of algae or scum in the basin, replace the trash bag and let it soak longer. Otherwise, discard the bag or save it for reuse—the same bag can be used every time you need to clean your birdbath.

   It's important not to leave the bird bath untended at this point. The clear water and full basin can quickly attract thirsty birds, but the high chlorine levels in the water can be fatal. Instead, drain the water immediately. Avoid dumping it directly on grass or plants, but feel free to dump it on weeds or in an unused area of your yard. As with your first water dump, avoid draining the chlorine water near bird feeders or spilled seed.

7. Rinse the Cleaned Basin

   Using the pressure setting on your hose, thoroughly rinse the empty bath. A rinse cycle of at least one to two minutes is recommended to dilute any remaining traces of bleach and make the basin safe for drinking and bathing. As before, tilt the angle of your hose to ensure you get into every nook, cranny, and crease of the basin so every part of the surface is thoroughly rinsed while taking care to protect delicate surfaces.

   If you aren't sure when the basin is properly rinsed of bleach, stop and sniff the bath's surface. If it smells strongly of chlorine, more rinsing is necessary. A faint chlorine scent is acceptable, but it should not smell as strongly as a pool would. At this point, too much rinsing is better than too little.

8. Dry the Bird Bath

   Allow your freshly cleaned bird bath to dry thoroughly in the sun. This will further discourage algae growth, keep the bath fresh for a longer period of time, and help sterilize the surface against bacteria or other contaminants. On a hot, sunny day, a basin can dry in just a few minutes. If you do not have the time to allow the bath to thoroughly dry, it is acceptable to skip this step so long as the basin is thoroughly rinsed.

9. Refill the Clean Bird Bath

   Refill your freshly cleaned bird bath with cool, clear water for the birds to enjoy. When properly filled, a bird bath should have a depth no greater than 1 to 2 inches of water so birds can easily drink and bathe. If your basin is too deep, consider adding large, flat stones on the bottom of the basin to give birds a shallower area to use. You can also attach a dripper, mister, or bubbler to attract more birds.

Tips to Keep a Birdbath Clean Longer

By doing the bleach cleaning treatment, the bath will remain clean for over a week. Your bird bath is clean and safe for birds, without scrub brushes or elbow grease.

You can keep it clean even longer by draining, pressure rinsing, and refilling the bath daily before it needs another thorough cleaning.