Interior decorators use indoor water fountains or inside waterfalls to add interest to a room. These waterfall wall fountains offer the calm, gentle sound of water and enhance a relaxing environment. Unfortunately, mineral deposits, algae silt, and hard water stains detract from the beauty of indoor water fountains and can clog the fountain pump if left in the fountain. In addition, water inside waterfalls can give off a foul odor, signaling the presence of bacteria.

Clean indoor water fountains extend the life of the water pump and restore the fountain’s visual appeal.

Instructions on how to clean indoor water fountains

Hard water stains:

• Remove the electrical source from the wall socket. Drain the water from the fountain by pouring it into the sink. Water out of the fountain with a small spoon or cup, or vacuuming the water out for wet-dry if the fountain is not portable. Soak up all the water with a cloth.
• Fill the fountain with equal amounts of water and white vinegar to remove mineral build-up on hoses and fountain pump fountain surfaces. Plug in the fountain and let it run for three to four hours. Disconnect the source.
• Dip a sponge, cloth, or nylon sponge in the vinegar and water. Rub areas of the fountain that have mineral deposits from hard water until the mineral deposits are gone. Dip a soft bristle brush in the vinegar and water and clean the holes and crevices of the fountain.
• Empty the vinegar and water from the Indoor Water Fountains and rinse the fountain with water.

Algae:

• Disconnect the source from the outlet. Empty the water from the fountain, pour it down the drain, or remove it with a wet-dry vacuum.
• Add water and 1/2 cup chlorine bleach per gallon of water to the fountain?the source from the plug into the wall outlet. Running the bleach and water through the fountain for two to three hours cleans algae from the pump hoses and cleans algae from the fountain’s reservoir.
• Dip a soft brush, rag, sponge, or nylon sponge in the bleach and water. Scrub the fountain until the algae is no longer visible. Use a soft bristle brush for small, hard-to-reach areas.
• Empty the bleach and water from the fountain and rinse the fountain with hot water.

Dirty fonts:

• Take off all removable parts and disassemble as much of the indoor water fountains as possible if the fountain has been sitting unused for a long time or has thick layers of dirt, dust, or grime.
• Rinse the parts and pieces of the fountain with clear water. Next, scrub the surfaces of the fountain with a cloth or a soft bristle brush. Rinse the dirt off the surface and continue scrubbing until all layers of dirt and dust easily rinse off the surfaces.
• Fill a bathtub, sink, or large container with warm water and 1/2 cup of bleach. Place the parts of the fountain that remain dirt or stains in the bleach and water. Soak the pieces in the fountain for one or two hours.
• Scrub the stains with a cloth, sponge, or soft brush to remove any dirt. Then, rinse the fountain parts with water.
• Dry all pieces of a Waterfall Wall with a dish cloth. Reassemble the fountain.

Tips and Warnings:

• Fill indoor water fountains with distilled water to avoid hard water stains.
• Empty, clean, and fill indoor water fountains every four to eight weeks.
• Add an algae inhibitor to the fountain water to prevent algae growth in the fountain.
• Place a decorative cloth under table fountains to protect the tabletop from water splashes.
• Do not immerse electrical plugs and cables in water.
• Do not use scrubbing powder, steel wool, or other abrasive products to clean an indoor fountain; these cleaners will scratch the font.
• Do not use soaps or detergents in a fountain. Soap and detergent residue soaks into the fountain materials and hoses, which then creates bubbles.