How To Keep a Garden Fountain Clean and Clear

I’ve always wanted to have a garden all to myself, filled with hundreds of different colored plants, bright flowers, and friendly squirrels. But lately, I’ve grown to appreciate the landscaping opportunities owning a garden can give you, especially if it’s one with a fountain. However, while having and tending a garden is not easy, keeping a garden fountain clean and clear can be quite a chore.

You can keep a garden fountain clean and clear by protecting it from debris using a fountain cover, running the water as often as possible, treating it with vinegar and other additives, and using a high-quality pump. Regular cleaning is also an excellent way to keep the fountain pristine.

I need to be straight with you: owning and maintaining a garden fountain is a pretty big deal, and your garden’s ecosystem depends on how well you keep things going. But you don’t need to fret! I wrote this article as the ultimate guide to keeping garden fountains clean and clear.

1. Use a Cover To Keep Debris From Falling Into the Fountain

Although most people might not realize it, one of the best ways to keep your garden fountain clean and clear is to prevent contaminants from getting into the water in the first place. After all, most fountains are usually soiled by falling leaves, dust, and even rain. So, a suitable covering is an excellent way to solve the problem.

Covering the fountain is also an excellent way to reduce general maintenance time or store it for later. So, you can use this method if you’re going away for the weekend or the summer and you don’t want to come back home to a fountain filled with debris and gunk.

Fountain covers are pretty easy to install, and you remove them just as quickly. They can also extend the life of your garden fountain by protecting it against the elements. Be sure to get a high-quality cover that provides water and UV resistance.

Unfortunately, covering your garden fountain with a tight tarp is not always feasible. You might want to use it or keep the water running while it’s covered.

I’d recommend using a more long-term solution like a tent in this situation. Tents might not be great aesthetic pieces and look out of place in your garden, but they’ll do the job.

However, most tents might only be able to protect the fountain from falling debris and severe weather conditions. Therefore, your garden fountain might still get fouled by insects and other animals.

2. Keep the Water in the Fountain Running To Prevent Stagnation

An alternative approach to keeping your garden fountain clean is to keep its water running for as long as possible. The moving water prevents stagnation and lowers the chances of algae and scale buildup–keeping your fountain cleaner for longer.

Stagnant water might seem trivial, but it can create the perfect environment for water-loving flora and fauna. And the most problematic of these is algae. And while algae is an ecologically-important organism, it tends to overgrow in suitable conditions like those stagnant water will create.

Algae overgrowth is one of the most challenging issues you’ll face if you have water fixtures, including pools and drains. They tend to clog waterways, leaving green or brown clumps on stagnant water. And you’ll find them in almost any part of the world.

However, algae typically thrive in environments with stagnant water, like ponds and pools. Although it’s not uncommon to have algae problems in damp areas like wet walls and even floors, they can affect the quality of your water and a garden fountain’s aesthetics if left unchecked. Fortunately, algae overgrowth is pretty easy to prevent if you keep your fountain water running as often as possible.

And while this practice might mean the fixture will use more energy, you can use alternative systems like bell siphons, ram pumps, and PVC pipes that don’t require electricity.

Or, you could also just let the pumps run for at least 12 to 18 hours daily. However, depending on your environmental conditions, you might need to run it for longer or even less.

Modern pumps also have filters and cleaners that can prevent foul waters and keep your garden fountain clean for longer. Fortunately, they’re designed to run for years on end without serious maintenance.

Therefore, another advantage of keeping the water in the fountain running is that you won’t need to clean the garden fountain as often as if it was stagnant.

3. Clean the Garden Fountain As Often as Possible

Gardening is a pretty hands-on activity. Naturally, gardening-related activities are very physical. Plus, it goes without saying that you’ll need to get your hands dirty if you want to keep any outdoor fixture clean. Therefore, you’ll need to clean a garden fountain as often as possible if you’re going to keep it spotless and beautiful.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to cleaning a garden fountain:

1. Inspect the garden fountain and its surroundings before you make any move. Inspections are pretty mundane, but they can help identify your fountain’s major mechanical, plumbing, and structural issues. I also recommend inspecting the surrounding vegetation to check if the fountain is affecting your garden in any way.
2. Turn off the pumps or stop the water flow if you use a fountain without electricity. The moving water can prevent you from cleaning as efficiently as you’d like, so don’t skip this step. Also, moving debris could hurt you if you tend the garden fountain while the water is running.
3. Remove fallen leaves, twigs, and other debris from the fountain. Even the best-maintained garden fountains will have some junk in them, and I recommend removing them with your hands or using a rake to clean them up a little. This pre-cleaning ritual will ensure the entire cleaning process is less tedious.
4. Remove plants, temporary fixtures, and other decors from the garden fountain and its surroundings. Some of these decors might be obtrusive, and you don’t want to hurt yourself or make the cleaning process challenging. However, remember to be careful with the plants to ensure you don’t hurt them in the process.
5. Gather all the supplies you’ll need to clean the garden fountain. You’ll need a fountain cover, a scrubbing brush, an all-purpose cleaning solution, and a water treatment solution to clean the fountain.
6. Drain the water from the fountain to ensure the cleaning process is as effective as possible. You can use a bowl to remove the water or a suction pump with a hose to save time. Of course, you can also tip the fountain over if it’s a smaller design.
7. Remove the muck and any residue that’s left in the fountain. This leftover muck might be relatively easy to remove with your hands, but I recommend using a pair of reusable rubber gloves for protection.
8. Use a high-pressure hose to clear out any residual muck in the garden fountain. You might not need to do this during every cleaning session, but it does help reduce the dirt in the fountain. Remember to aim for the sides of the fountain and any crevices you find.
9. Scrub the fountain with a brush and some of the cleaning solution. Remember to mix the cleaning solution with water or according to the manufacturer’s instructions for best results. You can scrub as hard as you need to but ensure you use rubber gloves for the rest of this process.
10. Add some of the water treatment solutions to a clean bucket of water and scrub the fountain again. I recommend cleaning this way to ensure the fountain is primed and ready for new water. As always, use the water treatment solution according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
11. Rinse the fountain with a high-pressure hose to remove soap suds and other dirt. Ensure you rinse the fountain thoroughly to eliminate all cleaning solution residue and leftover muck. You can also rinse the fountain with your hands and a hose if you don’t have a high-pressure hose.
12. Clean the garden fountain pump and filters to remove all the accumulated gunk from the devices. You might need to follow the pump manufacturer’s maintenance guide since cleaning instructions vary for different pumps and filters. I also recommend using this opportunity for complete plumbing maintenance to ensure your garden looks and works like new after you finish cleaning.
13. Allow the fountain to dry, or wipe it with a clean rag. You don’t always have to wait for the fountain to dry, but it’s a great practice I follow to “renew” my garden fountain after each cleaning. It’s also okay if you skip this step altogether.
14. Place the fountain back in its appropriate position and reinstall all plants and decors. You might need to reassemble the fountain if it’s that kind of model, but ensure you’ve cleaned the fixtures before adding them back. It’d be unfortunate if dirty decor messed up your freshly cleaned garden fountain.
15. Install and turn on the pumps or reconnect the water supply. I recommend draining the fountain a few times, but you can skip this step if you’re sure you rinsed it thoroughly. Allow the fountain to cycle a few times or fill to the top before you proceed to the next step.
16. Inspect the garden fountain to ensure everything works fine and is in order. You might have accidentally tampered with a few things while cleaning, so I recommend carefully inspecting the system and its surroundings. This inspection is also an opportunity to rate the quality of your work and take a few photos of your freshly cleaned fountain.

These instructions will work for most garden fountains, and you’ll end up with clean and clear water every time. However, I recommend cleaning the fountain once every three months to ensure it always looks good.

But you might need to clean it as frequently as once a month if you notice its water has turned foul. In this case, I’d recommend applying multiple practices in this article or similar methods to reduce algae bloom. I’ll discuss more about these practices in later sections of this article.

Therefore, you might want to move your garden fountain to an area with more shade to slow down algae growth. Alternatively, you could use the fountain cover or tent I recommended earlier.

Fountain size, weather, and location might also affect how frequently you clean the fountain to keep it clear. Ultimately, you’ll find the best time to clean the fountain through trial and error. So, feel free to experiment with it as much as possible.

It’s also vital for you to be careful with copper and stainless steel fountains. These materials need special attention when cleaning, and you might need special cleaning solutions for better results. They might also need a coating of wax about once every three months.

I recommend using automotive wax after cleaning to improve their appearance. But remember to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to the letter.

4. Apply Water Additives to the Fountain

As I’ve mentioned, algae is a garden fountain’s most formidable enemy, and the aquatic weed is responsible for foul waters in the system. However, scale, foam, and small insects can be equally problematic to your fountain. They usually don’t seem like a big deal at first, but they can affect your fountain’s water quality and destroy the piece’s aesthetics.

Fortunately, using a water additive can solve this problem and keep your garden fountain clean and clear. These additives are mainly preventive measures, stopping algae growth before it becomes a problem. You’ll also notice reduced foam and scale buildup after use.

These water additives contain active ingredients like copper that bind to organic contaminants like algae and affect vital life functions. However, they’re safe for wildlife and insects. Therefore, you can use them in your garden without little to no risks.

I recommend using water additives if you don’t want to clean your garden fountain too often or if it’s too much of a hassle to clean frequently. You can also apply the additives as part of a preventive ritual to keep the garden fountain as clear and clean as possible.

They help with white scale and algae control, as well as foam prevention. Using water additives is also an excellent method to prevent stains from hard water mineral deposits.

Water additives vary in strength and specificity, so you’ll need to read the manufacturer’s instructions to know how to use them correctly. Pay attention to toxicity levels, as some products can harm pets and other animals.

You may need to mix some additives with water, while other brands need only a few drops for effective results. In the end, I recommend you carefully evaluate your needs and fountain type to determine which works best for you.

I also recommend checking if the water additive pairs well with your pump. Most additives won’t work in a filtered water fountain since the pump system will remove the active substances from the water. However, certain brands might still be somewhat effective.

Still, I’d recommend you use either a pump filter or water additives–and not both–for effective results.

Remember that applying water additives to your fountain is a preventive measure, and it won’t be of much help with cloudy water. In this case, you’ll need to clean the fountain like I described before or replace the water in the system.

5. Use White Vinegar To Clean the Garden Fountain

At this point, it’s evident that your major enemy to having a spotless garden fountain is algae, and I wrote most of the tips in this article to help eliminate and prevent their overgrowth. However, another excellent way to remove–and prevent–algae, clean your garden fountain, and keep the water clear is to use white vinegar.

Vinegar is an excellent condiment and an even better preservative, but it has become one of the essential cleaning agents to have in your home. And, as you’d expect, it would do wonders for your garden fountain.

White vinegar is a vital fluid to help clean your garden fountain since its acetic acid-to-water ratio is perfect for cleaning. It can quickly kill algae and remove grime without affecting plants or animals in any way.

Therefore, I’d recommend using white vinegar instead of cleaning solutions if you have pets or sensitive plants. Vinegar is also great if many garden animals and insects frequent your fountain.

Here’s how you can use vinegar to clean your garden fountain:

1. Turn off the pumps or stop the water flow if you use a fountain without electricity. Don’t miss this step since the running water may make it difficult for you to clean as well as you would want.
2. Remove fallen leaves, twigs, and other debris from the fountain. Even the best-kept garden fountains will have some dirt, so I suggest picking them out with your hands or lightly cleaning them with a rake. The entire cleaning process will be more efficient thanks to this pre-cleaning practice.
3. Remove plants, temporary fixtures, and other decors from the garden fountain and its surroundings. You don’t want to harm yourself or make cleaning more challenging by placing any of these decorations where they could be intrusive. Keep in mind to be gentle with the plants so as not to harm them in any way.
4. Drain the water from the fountain to ensure the cleaning process is as effective as possible. I recommend using a basin to collect the water to save time, but a suction pump and hose would work just fine. If the fountain is small, you may also turn it over.
5. Remove the muck and any residue that’s left in the fountain. This leftover muck might be relatively easy to remove with your hands, but I recommend using a pair of reusable rubber gloves for protection.
6. Use a high-pressure hose to clear out any residual muck in the garden fountain. It’s possible that you won’t need to do this every time you clean the fountain, but it does help. Aim for the sides of the fountain as well as cracks and corners.
7. Mix one part white vinegar and one part water in a bowl or bottle. I recommend using distilled white vinegar with an acidity concentration of around 5%, as it is perfect for cleaning and descaling surfaces. Therefore, you’ll get excellent results at the end of the process.
8. Pour some of the vinegar mixture into a spray bottle and spray down the entire garden fountain. You can use any empty spray bottle you have at home. Be sure to give it a thorough rinse before using it.
9. Rinse the garden fountain with a high-pressure hose to clean its surface. The vinegar spray should have killed most of the algae, so you can make do with a regular hose. However, ensure you use only clean water throughout this process.
10. Pour some of the white vinegar into the fountain and scrub using a brush. You can use a scrub brush, but a toothbrush should be as effective. The scrub brush is an excellent tool because of its incredible grip, and it’s made of high-quality materials for easier handling.
11. Keep scrubbing till you remove all the algae, grime, and scale from the fountain. You might need to rinse a few times when scrubbing for the process to be more straightforward. However, ensure you add some more white vinegar after each rinse.
12. Rinse the fountain and clean the garden fountain pump and filters to remove all the accumulated gunk from the devices. You can check out the subsequent sections of this article if you need help cleaning the pumps and filters. 
13. Allow the fountain to dry, or wipe it with a clean rag. You don’t always have to wait for the fountain to dry, but it’s a great practice I follow to “renew” my garden fountain after each cleaning. It’s also okay if you skip this step entirely.
14. Reinstall the fountain pumps, fixtures, and decors. Ensure you clean everything before putting it back in place. 
15. Turn on the pumps or reconnect the water supply. I recommend draining the fountain a few times, but you can skip this step if you’re sure you rinsed it thoroughly. Allow the fountain to cycle a few times or fill to the top before you proceed to the next step.

However, vinegar might not be as effective for your garden fountain as special cleaning agents and additives like the one I mentioned earlier in this article. So, I recommend cleaning with white vinegar monthly and using the cleaning solutions every three months for effective results.

Still, you should experiment a little to see what works best for your garden fountain.

6. Use a High-Quality Pump To Move the Water in the Fountain

Most garden fountains use a pump to move water from a source and through the entire fountain system. The water flow depends on your plumbing design, but most garden fountains recycle their water to save water. Unsurprisingly, your plumbing and pump quality play essential roles in helping to keep your fountain clean and clear.

You can set up a garden fountain with almost any suitable electrical or mechanical pump, but a high-quality device will ensure the system is cleaner. This higher quality will mean the pump will last longer, perform better, and break down less often than a lower-quality pump.

Therefore, you’ll get better performance from a high-quality pump–albeit for a higher price–and less stagnant water-related issues.

Ultimately, this high pump performance and better water flow mean you’ll notice fewer algae bloom and bacteria spread, ensuring the fountain’s water stays clean and clear for longer.

I recommend using non-plastic pumps if you want a high-quality device since mechanical plastic parts tend to wear down more quickly. And if you have this pump type, I suggest you consider upgrading to a better quality device as soon as possible.

7. Clean and Replace the Pump Filters As Often as Possible

Your pump filters are vital tools for maintaining your pump, water, and overall garden fountain quality. They help trap dirt and other impurities and stop them from entering the fountain. They’re also designed to remove harmful bacteria as well as algae spores before they clump together.

Therefore, a fountain system with installed pump filters typically looks better and stays cleaner for longer.

However, these filters can become clogged by debris and biological matter–reducing their efficiency and the overall quality of your garden fountain. Therefore, you need to clean them as often as possible to keep the entire system as fresh as possible.

Fortunately, you can easily clean the pump filter by following the manufacturers’ instructions included in the filter packaging or checking online for the cleaning instructions for that particular brand. You can also contact a skilled technician to help you out.

I don’t recommend fiddling with the pump filters because you could severely damage its components.

Still, cleaning the pump filters might not be a practical option. You might need to completely replace the filters if you notice they’re damaged or somewhat ineffective.

In this case, you can check for a suitable replacement with your pump manufacturer or find an alternative product online. You can also upgrade to a better filter or filtration system for a better experience.

8. Change the Water in the Garden Fountain Regularly

Cleaning your garden fountain is terrific, and using water additives will help prevent algae overgrowth and remove scales. However, you’ll need to change the water in the garden fountain as often as possible if you want to keep the system as fresh as possible.

You should change the water after cleaning the garden fountain, but you can also change it more frequently. I recommend replacing the water in the system at least twice a month, but you could do it once every month if the water stays clear for longer.

Here’s how to change the water in the garden fountain:

1. Turn off the pumps or stop the water flow if you use a fountain without electricity. You’ll need to control the water movement before doing anything else.
2. Remove fallen leaves, twigs, and other debris from the fountain. You can use a rake or gloved hands for this task.
3. Remove plants, temporary fixtures, and other decors from the garden fountain and its surroundings. They might get in the way of the work.
4. Drain the water from the fountain to ensure the cleaning process is as effective as possible. I recommend using a basin to collect the water to save time, but a suction pump and hose would work just fine. If the fountain is small, you may also turn it over.
5. Remove the muck and any residue that’s left in the fountain. This leftover muck might be relatively easy to remove with your hands, but I recommend using a pair of reusable rubber gloves for protection.
6. Use a high-pressure hose to clear out any residual muck in the garden fountain. It’s possible that you won’t need to do this every time you clean the fountain, but it does help. Aim for the sides of the fountain as well as cracks and corners.
7. Clean the garden fountain with white vinegar or a suitable cleaning solution. You can check the subsequent sections of this article for help.
8. Rinse the fountain and clean the garden fountain pump and filters to remove all the accumulated gunk from the devices. You can check out the subsequent sections of this article if you need help cleaning the pumps and filters.
9. Allow the fountain to dry, or wipe it with a clean rag. You don’t always have to wait for the fountain to dry, but it’s a great practice I follow to “renew” my garden fountain after each cleaning. It’s also okay if you skip this step altogether.
10. Reinstall the fountain pumps, fixtures, and decors. Ensure you clean everything before putting it back in place.
11. Turn on the pumps or reconnect the water supply. I recommend draining the fountain a few times, but you can skip this step if you’re sure you rinsed it thoroughly. You can also apply some water additives or chlorine to help kill germs and prevent scale.

Remember that your water source is vital, so ensure you only pump clean water to keep the fountain clean and clear.

I also recommend using distilled water for the best results since this water has fewer dissolved minerals. So, you’ll notice less scale buildup and reduced algae outbreaks since the organisms won’t have enough nutrients to thrive.

9. Clean the Garden Fountain With Chlorine in the Summer

Chlorine is almost as ubiquitous as vinegar, and most people use it to clean public and private swimming pools. You can also use them for your fountains, and you’ll see similar results as when using a water additive–for a lower price. However, you need to be careful when using chlorine because it can be toxic to plants and some animals.

Therefore, I’d recommend you only use it if you don’t have aquatic plants and in small amounts. 

Chlorine is also more effective at dealing with algae than vinegar, but it’s best to use the chemical in the summer to prevent splashes and leaching into the soil. As I mentioned, chlorine is pretty dangerous.

Here’s how you can use it to keep your garden fountain clean and clear:

1. Turn off the fountain pump.
2. Add a few drops or tablespoons of chlorine to the fountain, per the manufacturer’s instructions.
3. Wait a few minutes for the chlorine to dissolve into the fountain water.
4. Start your pump.

As I mentioned, use chlorine during warmer months for safety reasons and to ensure its efficiency. I recommend using chlorine tablets for the best results.

If you want to use chlorine in a garden fountain with plants, moving the plants to a nursery or smaller container for a couple of weeks is ideal. For more information, check out my article on how long you should wait to till the soil after spraying weed: How Long After Spraying Weeds Can you Till The Soil?

10. Use a Commercial Fountain Vacuum Cleaner

Ultimately, the best way to keep a garden fountain clean and clear is to clean the fountain as often and as efficiently as possible. And while scrubbing brushes, cleaning solutions, and vinegar are excellent ways to get the job done, you may need some more help. Therefore, a commercial fountain vacuum cleaner might just be what you need.

The garden fountain vacuum cleaner works in pretty much the same way as a regular vacuum cleaner, but it’s specially designed to clean wet surfaces like ponds, pools, and fountains. They might be slightly pricey, but they do get the job done in a quarter of the time.

You can use the vacuum cleaner on most surfaces, but ensure you don’t accidentally suck plants or knock over fixtures in the process. Therefore, you should check out the instructions I gave earlier in this article for cleaning with vinegar.

Final Thoughts

I believe gardens are one of the best pieces of real estate you can have or visit. After all, they allow you to grow beautiful plants and connect with nature much more profoundly than you ever thought possible. And cool landscaping pieces like fountains can help improve the overall aesthetics of your garden and balance the ecosystem.

But keeping a garden fountain clean, like gardening, can be pretty tricky—especially if you don’t know what you’re doing. This article will help guide you through owning, maintaining, and cleaning a garden fountain.