Turn An Old Trash Can Lid Into A Bird Bath That's Easy To Make

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Birds are like free entertainment. They come to your backyard, distract your cats through the window, bring a bit of color to your skies, and nice chirping sounds to your afternoons. But have you ever considered paying them back? And no, we don't even mean fancy bird feeders. In fact, if you have a bird feeder but no birds, you might be missing a crucial step. What birds really need is water. They need it to drink, to bathe, and to cool off. Especially as the days get warmer and sunnier, giving your feathery friends a bird bath is the right thing to do. The best part is that you don't need to buy an expensive one; you can make a charming DIY birdbath with an old trash can lid.

The idea, which comes from TikTok creator @helenlikesplants, is to use the lid of an old trash can, flip it upside down, and place it on the ground in the backyard. Then, with a few stones and some water, you can turn an old trash can lid into something that's really useful.

Here, we need a lid that's a few inches deep, with a raised edge all around it. Your best bet is an old-school bin lid, like the ones you see on circular metallic bins. like this one from PRIME FURNISHING. The ones from IKEA's KNODD bins also work great for this, because they have that raised edge that's meant to overlap with the bin to close it fully. Bin lids with a hinged flap opening on them won't work well for this DIY because the water will likely leak through the seams and won't stay into the bin long enough for birds to enjoy them. Before you start, make sure to clean the lid with dish soap and water. 

For this DIY, you'll need to start with a shovel. You won't need to dig deep, just an inch or so to provide a base for the bird bath and to allow the lid to sit into the ground and be stable. You can do this in your garden bed if you want to avoid damaging grass, or you can do it in your lawn if you don't mind. In order to attract more birds to your birdbath, there are some tips and tricks you can implement, especially when choosing where to place it. It's always best to find a spot that's shaded, but not underneath a tree, to avoid debris. Birds like to feel safe, so anywhere near some cover, like shrubs and fences, is ideal. 

@helenlikesplants

Make a pretty bin lid bird bath with me...🌱 An easy way to help out the wildlife in your garden, in less than 10 minutes 🦆(and I used things I just had laying around!) #gardenbeginner #gardenprojects #weekendproject #wildlifegarden #gardenbirds #gardeninguk

♬ original sound – helenlikesplants

Once the shallow hole is prepared, lower the bin lid into it, upside down. Use some of the leftover soil you've dug up to secure it on the edges, making sure that it won't move much when birds perch on the edges. Add a few stones to the center of the lid to weigh it down and provide an additional perch for birds, and fill with water. Now, a crucial thing to consider before DIYing a bird bath is upkeep and cleaning. You should clean the bird bath every other day or every three days, especially during hot summer months. You'll need to empty the bird bath completely, brush any algae off with vinegar and water, rinse it, and refill. Not doing this could put the birds in danger from illnesses and bacteria, so make sure you're up for it before getting started with this DIY.