Homemade Fountain Cleaner

Fountains, with their soothing and peaceful sounds, enhance both outdoor and indoor spaces, from gardens and patios to living rooms and entryways. In order for a water fountain to run smoothly, it needs regular maintenance. Leaves, twigs, and dead insects can clog water pumps making cleaning necessary. Indoor fountains are prone to developing slimy residue and algae growth both of which can cause unsightly stains and pump failure. In addition, lime scale, mineral deposits and algae all build up on indoor or outdoor fountains without proper cleaning and maintenance. Here's an easy DIY solution to help clean a fountain.

Turn off the power and unplug the fountain. Bail out the water with a cup or, if the fountain is small and light weight, tilt the fountain and pour the water out into a sink or drain.

Mix 1 gallon of water and 1 cup of chlorine bleach in a bucket. Adjust amounts of water and bleach proportionately based on the size of the fountain. Pour the water and bleach mixture into the fountain. Restore the power and allow the mixture to run through the fountain for one hour to clean algae from the pump and kill growth on fountain surfaces. Turn the power off. Remove the water and bleach mixture. Wet a rag with plain water and wipe the fountain surfaces to eliminate algae.

Blend equal amounts of white vinegar and water in a bucket. Dip a scrub brush or soft rag into the cleaning mixture. Scrub stone and concrete surfaces with a scrub brush. Scrub metal and resin surfaces with a rag to avoid scratching the fountain. Scrub the pump with a rag. Continue to scrub the surface of the fountain and pump until no lime scale or mineral deposits remain. Rinse the fountain with plain water. Refill the fountain and restore the power.