How to Clean Bird Bath

What You'll Need

• Stiff brush or scrub brush
• White vinegar
• Garden hose
• Rubber gloves
• Bucket

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. 1

   Empty the bird bath

   Tip out all the dirty water away from plants. Birds will return once you refill -- the disruption is brief.

2. 2

   Scrub with vinegar

   Wear gloves. Pour white vinegar directly into the bath and scrub the entire surface with a stiff brush. Vinegar is safe for birds.

3. 3

   Rinse thoroughly

   Rinse multiple times with the garden hose until no vinegar smell remains. Birds may avoid a bath that smells of cleaner.

4. 4

   Refill with fresh water

   Fill with clean water. Place near shrubs but not too close to bird feeders to keep the water clean.

Pro Tips

• TIPClean bird baths weekly to prevent algae, mosquito breeding, and bacteria that can harm birds.
• TIPPlace a few river rocks or pebbles in the bath to give birds different depths to bathe in.
• TIPNever use bleach or detergents -- they leave residues that are toxic to birds.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• XUsing soap, bleach, or chemical cleaners, which leave toxic residues that harm birds.
• XCleaning only when the bath is visibly dirty, by which point bacteria and mosquito larvae have already established.
• XPlacing the bird bath in direct sun all day, which encourages algae growth and rapid water evaporation.

Frequently Asked Questions