Cleaning Your Indoor Fountain

All indoor fountains will need to be cleaned periodically, typically every four to six weeks. This is accomplished by simply wiping the surface clean with recommended products. To do this thoroughly, you will need to remove all the water from the fountain so that you can clean the pump and rest of the fountain surfaces. You can pour, pump, or siphon the water out of your fountain. To siphon, place a container near the base of the fountain – make sure your fountain is higher than the container as this process needs gravity to work – and, using clean vinyl tubing, suck the water through until it almost reaches your mouth. Quickly put the tube into the container; it should drain the water out.

Products and techniques to clean fountain surfaces vary by material. Make sure to only use cleaning products recommended for the type of surface you are cleaning! This will prevent scratching and corrosion of your indoor water fountain.

Glass: Clean a glass or mirrored indoor fountain with white vinegar and water. If water doesn't seem to run smoothly over the glass, dry the surface thoroughly, and apply a thin layer of Jazz® Window Prep, available at many art supply stores.

Slate, Pebbles, and Marble: If mineral deposits form on the slate or pebbled face of your wall fountain, they are best cleaned with a solution of white vinegar and water, or CLR® (Calcium Lime Remover) and a soft brush. Follow the instructions on the bottle; do not use a scouring pad or anything that may scratch or harm the slate. Excessive scrubbing could also cause damage, so exercise caution.

Stainless Steel: Stainless steel components are virtually maintenance free! The smooth and non-porous surface of stainless steel makes it difficult for any bacteria and other micro-organisms to do damage. These types of fountains have excellent resistance to corrosion. To remove any fingerprints from stainless steel, wipe clean with a damp sponge or microfiber cloth. Avoid coarse products, as they will leave scratches. Never use steel wool or scouring products, or disinfectants with bleach. These can damage the surface of the stainless steel and eat away at the pump. Should your stainless steel fountain develop scale stains, treating it with Protec® water treatment should remove and prevent them.

Copper: Copper surfaces can either feature a natural finish or a protective powder coat. The cleaning regimen you choose will be determined by which finish your fountain contains. Regardless of which type of copper your fountain contains, remember to never use copper cleaner to clean your fountain. It will ruin the fountain pump!

Powder Coating Finish: Most of our indoor wall fountains at Wall2Wall Fountains come standard with a professional, automotive quality powder coat. This is a clear, heat-baked finish that seals the copper from the air and water and prevents it from oxidizing and obtaining green verdigris. With a powder coat, your fountain will look brand new for years to come. To clean a fountain with a powder coat, apply a household furniture polish on a soft cloth for regular maintenance, and Turtle Wax Hard Shell® wax every three months to help the powder coat last as long as possible. Should white spots appear on the copper, they are mineral deposits and can be cleaned with CLR®. Be sure to fully remove all cleaning substances before refilling and restarting your fountain.

Natural Finish: Some copper fountains come with natural, uncoated copper. Over time, the copper will oxidize and verdigris, turning a beautiful green color. The speed with which your fountain will verdigris depends on a variety of factors such as climate and maintenance. Use a household furniture polish on a soft cloth to clean the copper, but do not use other products such as wax or CLR®. As always, make sure to rinse thoroughly before refilling fountain water.

Regardless of a powder coating or naturally finished copper fountain, owners should NEVER use copper cleaner, or any other powerful solvent, to clean their fountains. These cleaners will completely remove the hand-painted patina, leaving raw copper.

With all cleaning products, be sure to fully rinse the fountain so that runoff does not enter the water supply. Cleaning chemicals can cause problems with your pump and will shorten the lifespan of your fountain.

By using these treatments and being conscientious of fountain problems from the very beginning of your indoor water fountain ownership, you will extend the life of your wall fountain and hopefully fight deposits and algae growth before they start!

Table of Contents

1. Why Purchase an Indoor Fountain?

2. Choosing the Right Fountain

- Fountain Placement
- Types and Sizes of Fountains
- Using Your Fountain to Enhance Your Space

3. Installing Your Fountain
- Installing Your Wall Fountain

4. Use and Maintenance
- Running Water through the Fountain
- Prolonging the Life of Your Fountain with Water Treatments
- Cleaning Your Fountain
- Caring for the Pump
- Fountain Lighting

Table of Contents