Rowden recommends using a solution of nine parts water to one part vinegar for cleaning a bird bath. Avoid the use of harsh chemical or abrasive cleaners, which can damage the bird bath and the surround area and be unsafe for birds and other wildlife who might stop by for a dip or a drink.
Mix nine parts of water to one part distilled white vinegar in a bottle or bowl. Pour mixed water and vinegar into the bird bath. Scrub the bird bath with the brush until all debris is loosened. Pour out the vinegar (works great as a weed killer).
Steps to Clean a Birdbath
Remove any large deposits of spilled seed, feces, debris or other contaminants. Use a solution of one part distilled white vinegar to nine parts water to scrub the birdbath thoroughly. Scrub the basin, lip, and any area of the birdbath where the birds can land, perch, drink or bathe.
If your bath has a smooth surface such as glass, metal or glazed ceramic, you can easily clean it with a soft cloth or sponge. If your bath has a porous surface, we recommend using a sturdy plastic brush with plastic bristles to provide a more thorough cleaning.
You can use hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, or distilled vinegar to clean out your concrete or ceramic bird baths. No matter which substance you use, always start by dumping out the old water and gathering some basic supplies like gloves, a bucket or bowl, a designated scrub brush, and your cleaning product.
Adding 1 tsp of apple cider vinegar per gallon of water will help prevent algae from growing in your bird bath. It makes the water slightly acidic which kills the algae. It's important to dilute the apple cider vinegar so that it isn't too strong.
Vinegar. Birds can be triggered by the harsh, unpleasant smell of vinegar and will avoid it. Citrus oil. Birds tend to avoid the smell of citrus because they don't like it.
Keep your bird bath clean.
Don't wait until the water gets icky! If you see the water is discolored or there is algae, scrub with baking soda, lemon juice or white vinegar and then rinse well.
On top of that vinegar and baking soda are environmentally friendly and – in low concentrations – safe for parrots and other pets.
To keep algae growth down and your bird bath clean, add 1 capful of apple cider vinegar or 1 teaspoon per gallon of water to the bird bath. The apple cider vinegar also provides vitamins & minerals to the birds.
Instead of using soap or bleach to clean the bird bath, the National Audubon Society recommends scrubbing it with nine parts water to one part vinegar. You might want to let the solution soak for a few minutes. Be sure to stay close to the bird bath so no birds sneak in!
If cracks are letting the water out, you can fill and seal them. Silicone caulk fills cracks permanently, and it comes in tubes that make application easy. Be sure to do this in a warm and well-ventilated place. The caulk may smell bad for a couple of days, but after it dries thoroughly, it's harmless to birds.
We recommend spraying disinfectant on the areas needing to be cleaned. Not only will this loosen and soften the debris, but it will also dampen down any dust that may fly around when you start removing it. Leave to soak in for a minute or two before scraping the larger areas of droppings into a bin bag.
A weak bleach solution will kill the bacteria and algae living in your birdbath. Mix one part bleach with nine parts warm water and stir to create an effective cleaning agent that's safe to use on birdbaths.
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.
When I clean their sugar water jars, any extra gets poured into the nearby flower-shaped bird bath. Bird bath rocks and sticks work well for sugar water, too. My honeybees enjoying a little sugar water drink safely in a flower-shaped birdbath in my garden.
Distilled Vinegar: Mix nine parts water with one part vinegar. Fill the bird bath with the mixture and use a scrub brush to get rid of debris inside and outside the basin.
Make the solution in a 1:1 ratio. I cup of vinegar mixed with 1 cup of tap water used from a spray bottle should be enough to clean one cage weekly. If you feel the cage is too dirty, you can use a stronger solution but wash it off with regular water and dry completely before putting your bird back in the cage.
Several commercially available disinfectants are safe for birds. One cup of household chlorine bleach in one gallon of water is effective against many disease-causing organisms. To be most effective, disinfectants should be applied to a wet surface.
Copper is known to have antimicrobial properties that can help prevent the growth of algae and bacteria in bird baths. By adding a few copper pennies to your birdbath, you create an environment that is both clean and safe for birds. Copper also oxidizes over time, which helps keep the water clear.
Adding stones to your bird bath will help birds gain a better footing when drinking or bathing. Wild birds tend to bath and drink at a low height, just off the ground or low down to the ground. This is where they would naturally find water so are more comfortable drinking and bathing at this level.
Bird baths can become dirty over time due to bird droppings, leaves and other plant matter, dead insects, dust, and feathers. A build-up of algae will eventually turn the water into a pool of green or red slime.
Traditional concrete birdbaths sold in garden shops make nice lawn ornaments, but they aren't the best type for birds—they're often too deep, glazed ones may be too slippery, and they're often hard to clean. Also, they may crack if the temperature drops below freezing.
Good planting choices include succulents, sedums, strawberries, and flowering annuals and vines. You could also create miniature or fairy gardens with tiny plantings or insert a water-tight container and add a small circulating fountain and water garden.