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How to Clean a Ceramic Glazed Birdbath

Today, we’re sharing how to clean a ceramic glazed birdbath!

Our Backyard Memory Garden…

One of my favorite spots in the back-yard Spring through Fall is our memory garden. It’s such a special place because my sweet terriers used to love to play out there and dig up all sorts of things.

Over the years, we’ve chosen native plants as well as those plants that will be attractive butterflies.

Our memory garden also has a birdbath and seed feeder both of which we’ve had for years.

Nearly every day we can look out onto the back property at any given time and watch the birds eat, splash and play.

Maintaining a Healthy Bird Habitat…

Even though we live on three acres, we’ve tried to leave as much of the property as undeveloped as possible.

There are songbirds, scrub birds, marsh birds and shore birds that frequently stop by.

Part of maintaining a healthy habitat for the birds that live here is to have a fresh source of water.

So, we usually change out the water in the birdbath basin every few days.

But even then, algae, dead leaves, pine straw and other unruly bits get into the birdbath.

Thankfully, cleaning the birdbath is relatively easy with just a few simple steps.

Here’s a look at how you can clean a ceramic glazed birdbath if you have one in your backyard too…

How to Clean a Ceramic Glazed Birdbath Steps:

After making sure there are no birds around, empty the birdbath basin.

Next, mix a cleaning solution.

I heat 8 cups of water in the microwave and pour it into a clean plastic container.  Keep in mind the water will be hot so use caution and care.

Then I add 1 capful of bleach for every 8 cups of water.

We use a natural bleach like Seventh Generation Bleach which is better for the environment. I would not recommend using straight bleach or bleach with chlorine at all.

 Pour the cleaning solution into the birdbath.

Cover the birdbath with a heavy-duty garbage bag so the birds do not use it while the cleaning solution is in the basin.

You don’t want them to get sick.

I cover mine for approximately 15 minutes. Depending on how dirty your birdbath is you may have to let the cleaning solution sit covered a little longer.

After 15 minutes, drain the cleaning solution from the birdbath.

This is another reason you don’t want to use straight bleach as it will kill your plants and grass.

Next, I wipe out the birdbath basin with a scrubbing cloth or brush.

Make sure you wear gloves when scrubbing out the basin because you don’t want the cleaning solution or algae to get on your hands.

Using a water hose with a pressure nozzle will help to make cleaning easier too.

It’s important to refill and empty the birdbath basin with fresh water at least two additional times.

This is just to make extra sure you’ve gotten all the cleaning solution out before you allow the birdbath to dry completely.

Finally, refill and leave clean water for the birds to enjoy.

Ceramic Glazed Birdbath Cleaning Frequency Tips:

How often you choose to clean your ceramic glazed birdbath will depend on many different things.

This includes:

  • Weather
  • Water Quality (hard water sources will need to be cleaned more frequently for example)
  • Birdbath Location
  • Amount of Birds Using the Birdbath

As I shared, above we change out the water a few times each week and clean as needed.  I usually check the birdbath while I’m out watering the flowers in the mornings.

Any time you see discolored water, leaves, algae, dirt or debris it’s time to clean out your birdbath.

Honestly, you don’t want to even wait that long! I would say 2-3 times a week. Especially, in the summer months.

Keep in Mind…

Cleaning a ceramic glazed birdbath is not difficult at all.

But it’s an important job to help maintain clean water and to attract a wide variety of birds and other wildlife to your yard.

I hope these tips have helped. We love spending lots of time outdoors on the porches and patio and I know you guys do too!

A Few Other Bird & Garden Inspired Posts You Might Enjoy:

Many blessings,

CoCo

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6 Comments

  1. ha ha we have happy birds and happy squirrels 🙂

  2. We’re always thinking of new ways to be environmentally friendly. It’s a way of life for us now and a constant reminder every time we pass the compost pile 🙂 Thanks so much for your sweet comments, I hope it helps with your spring cleaning! Hugs, Coco

  3. Goodness Audrey, did you see how bad mine was before? It was totally embarrassing. I couldn’t find anything and just kept cramming the shelves full of things I already had. It’s been a year now and the pantry has stayed organized which makes me so excited. Thanks so much for popping over. I’m headed to check out your blog now. Hope you’ve had a great week, Coco

  4. Angela, that’s so sweet of you to say, thank you! We have lots of different kinds of wild birds on the property and have definitely learned a lot. See you at the next party 🙂 CoCo

  5. Here’s an amazing trick for cleaning hard water deposits off anything ceramic or porcelain. Drywall screen. My husband had some in his tool box and told me to try it on my bird bath. It scrubs off the hard water crust and does not scratch the ceramic glaze. My husband is a genius.

    1. That is such a genius idea, Teresa, and one I would have never thought of either! So excited to try out this technique, thanks so much for sharing. Hope your day is a fun one, CoCo

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