If you see green algae at the bottom of a bird bath, immediately empty the water, then scrub the bird bath with a stiff brush. [2] X Research source Roger J. Lederer, Ph. D. Ornithologist. From there, wipe off the algae. Then, add fresh water.
Keep in mind, you can clean your bird bath with a mild detergent if algae is not a major problem.
Clean the bottom of the bird bath and the sides, scrubbing off any dirt, debris, or visible algae.
It is very important to be thorough about rinsing a bird bath. Birds are very vulnerable to detergents and it can be harmful for birds if there’s detergent left in the bird bath.
You should also keep the bird bath away from shrubs and bird feeders to prevent contamination.