The Homemade Solution That Keeps Your Bird Bath Looking Its Best

We've officially reached the time of year when we must assess our garden accessories and see what needs to be deep cleaned after the long winter. This list includes outdoor furniture, cooking supplies, planters, wheelbarrows, and even bird baths. If you want to maintain a clean and healthy spot for your garden's feathered friends to hydrate, bathe, and cool off during the warm summer months, then it's time to add bird bath cleaning to your to-do list. In order to avoid the use of chemicals, which can have a negative affect on your garden's wildlife, like stripping oils from bird feathers, you can use a few basic ingredients from your kitchen: lemon and salt. No expensive cleaners or chemicals are required. If your birdbath cleaning routine includes bleach, it's time to try a more natural solution.

While you may not think twice about cleaning your birdbath, this chore is actually a top garden priority if you want to support the health of your local birds. Besides the unwanted aesthetic of a dirty, grimy birdbath, neglecting this garden accessory can risk bacterial and algae growth, as well  as the spread of pathogens from bird poop. Birdbath water that has not been replaced or moved can also become a breeding ground for mosquitoes, which love to lay eggs in still water. Lastly, unclean birdbaths can lead to the spread of diseases like avian pox and salmonellosis, as well as human diseases like avian flu. Cleaning your birdbath will only take a few extra minutes out of your day but will help keep your backyard birds healthy and happy all year long. 

Your method of birdbath cleaning will depend on your birdbath's specific material. If you have a ceramic or stone basin, then you can utilize lemon and salt as a quick and easy deep clean method. Lemon and salt are both safe ingredients to use for birds. 

First, remove any residual water in your birdbath's basin. Take half a lemon and a few spoonfuls of coarse salt, and scrub the two into the basin. The lemon juice can help deodorize the bath, while the salt can act as an abrasive to remove any tough stains or grime. Use water to continually rinse out the basin as you clean. To get any tight or hard-to-reach corners, you can use an old toothbrush. Allow the basin to dry fully in the sun before adding clean and fresh water back into the bath. 

In order to keep your backyard birdbath clean and refreshing for the birds all summer long, you may want to invest in a small stream or fountain device for inside the basin. Not only will your birds enjoy the running water, but the movement will help keep the water from attracting bacterial growth and mosquito habitation. If you don't have a running water feature, it's recommended to change out and refill the your birdbath water every other day. To keep birds coming back to your yard, make sure to place your birdbath in an area with shade or with trees nearby to provide safety.