4 ways to clean a bird bath properly

Bird baths can build up with potentially harmful bacteria, pathogens, and algae if not cleaned properly.

A birdbath provides a quiet haven for birds to drink and feed, but they require maintenance that is both friendly and safe. Bird bath water can harbor potentially dangerous germs and diseases because it is often stagnant and not naturally filtered like stream or pond water. Make sure your bird bath is bird-safe and can be used by birds to clean their feathers by cleaning it and adding fresh water regularly.

How Often to Clean a Bird Bath

Some of the variables that affect how often you clean your bird bath include location, frequency of use, and weather. Generally speaking, you should clean your bird bath every two or three days or more often if the water is cloudy or dirty. If the birdbath is under a tree or in hot weather, more regular cleaning may be required. “Each week, scrub your bird bath with a vinegar solution and let it dry before refilling,” advises Todd Winston, associate director of materials at Audubon in New York City, a research associate and bird guide.

Materials Needed

Make sure you have these materials on hand before getting started.

Rubber gloves
Scrub brush
Hose or bucket
Water
Distilled white vinegar

Steps for Cleaning a Bird Bath

Every other day, you should change the water in your birdbath and rinse out any debris, but you should thoroughly clean the birdbath once a week by following the instructions below.

1. Discard Old Water

First put on water-resistant gloves to protect your hands while cleaning. “Put old birdbath water and large litter into a nearby flower bed or lawn, where it will run into the soil and not accumulate,” advises Winston.

2. Rinse and Scrub

Once the dirty water is removed, use a hose or a bucket of clean water to rinse the bird bath. Use a brush to remove the remaining particles. The type of brush you use will determine the contents of your bird bath. “For the lightweight plastic basins I use in WarblerFall, I’ve learned the hard way that a wire brush that works well on hard ceramic will score poorly,” says bird expert and DIY WarblerFall bird bath inventor Julie Zickfoose. “Then the algae gets into the scratch marks and you can’t get it out.” A cleaning eraser or nylon dish scrubber are good choices for delicate fabrics.

3. Clean With Vinegar

Winston then suggests mixing a solution of nine parts water and one part distilled white vinegar. Scrub the bird bath using a scrub brush dipped in the cleaning solution, paying particular attention to areas with heavy algae growth.

4. Rinse and Refill

Rinse the bird bath with water after cleaning to get rid of the vinegar solution. “Let it dry in the sun to make sure any remaining vinegar has evaporated,” advises Winston. Refill the bird bath with fresh water when it dries.

Tips for Maintaining a Bird Bath

There are steps you can take to maintain the cleanliness of your bird bath between major cleanings and reduce the number of times you need to refill the water.

Winston advises keeping your birds in the shade whenever possible to prevent evaporation, keep the water cool, and prevent germs and algae build-up. A low shrub or tree, but not immediately under it, is an ideal location for a birdbath.
If you have rocks in your bath, keep a pile of flat rocks on hand to replace the zicfoose, and leave dirty rocks to toast in the hot sun.
In general, the water in your bird bath should only be two inches deep. Smaller birds find deeper water less pleasant wash and preen, and is harder to keep clean,” says Winston.
It is always preferable to completely replace old bird bath water rather than adding new water to a dirty bird bath.
Your bird bath may benefit from a running water feature, such as a gentle trickle from a fountain or hose. “The sound of water movement or dripping is very attractive to birds, and water movement will deter mosquitoes from trying to breed,” Winston explains.

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