Make life simpler by choosing a birdbath made of a lightweight material or one with a removable basin or a drain hole. And, remember, the more often you clean a birdbath, the easier cleaning it will be.
Things You'll Need
Birdbath Misters/drippers
Fountains
Garden Hoses And Attachments
Liquid Bleach
Scrub Brushes
Water Sources
Latex Gloves
Buckets
Step One
Empty dirty water out of the birdbath by tipping it to the side.
2
Step Two
Rinse with a hard spray of water from the hose, or open the drain on the bottom of the birdbath.
3
Step Three
Add a small amount of water and scrub the birdbath thoroughly with a stiff brush.
4
Step Four
Make a solution containing bleach (3/4 c. bleach to 1 gal. water) to remove algae that will not come off with scrubbing.
5
Step Five
Pour the bleach solution into the birdbath and scrub again.
6
Step Six
Remove the birdbath from the yard or cover it with a piece of wood or plastic and allow the bleach solution to sit for about 15 minutes.
7
Step Seven
Rinse thoroughly.
8
Step Eight
Fill with fresh water.
Tips & Warnings
Position your birdbath slightly away from thick foliage, from which hiding predators can pounce on wet birds.
Running water near a birdbath - or a dripper, small fountain or mister - will attract more birds.
Never put algae-reducing chemicals in a birdbath.
If you use any solution containing bleach or other chemicals, make sure the birds do not come in contact with it, and avoid getting the solution on your skin or clothes.