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How to Get Mildew Out of an Outdoor Water Fountain
How to Get Mildew Out of an Outdoor Water Fountain. Whether your outdoor fountain is for birds and wildlife or you just enjoy the sound of the water in your yard, it will require regular upkeep to stay in tiptop shape. Due to exposure to the elements, organic material and water on outdoor fountains can develop into mildew and leave stains. Left...
Whether your outdoor fountain is for birds and wildlife or you just enjoy the sound of the water in your yard, it will require regular upkeep to stay in tiptop shape. Due to exposure to the elements, organic material and water on outdoor fountains can develop into mildew and leave stains. Left unattended, the mildew continues to grow and spread. Remove it to keep your fountain inviting and in good repair.
Things You'll Need
Trash bag
Bucket
Bleach
Powdered laundry detergent
Trisodium phosphate cleaner
Paint stirrer
Rubber gloves
Goggles
Scrub brush
Garden hose
Drain or empty the fountain of water and clean out any leaves or debris. Discard in a trash bag.
Pour 3 qts. of warm water into a bucket and add 1 qt. of bleach. Stir in 1/3 cup of powdered laundry detergent and 2/3 cup of trisodium phosphate-based cleaner to create a mildew-killing solution. Use a paint stirrer to mix the ingredients.
Wear goggles and gloves to protect your eyes and skin from bleach and trisodium phosphate.
Dip a scrub brush in the cleansing mixture and scrub the surface of the outdoor fountain. Rinse off the brush with your garden hose as mildew spores and stains are lifted. Continue to scrub the fountain until all mildew stains are gone. Mix up another batch of cleanser if the water gets dirty from removing mildew.
Rinse the fountain with the hose and saturate the surrounding area to water down the cleansing mixture. Allow the fountain to air dry completely.
