I keep a bucket of water outside for the dog. When it’s clean, I fill it up and after about 12 hours it’s already got mold (or mildew?) growing at the bottom of the bucket under the water. If I wipe it out, it just happens again.
I’ve tried using a darker bucket and a lighter bucket. Tried keeping it in the sun and in the shade. Nothing seems to keep the mold from coming back.
What’s the best way to keep my dog’s water clean outside, other than dumping and cleaning her bucket every day?
I always thought it was algae, and I have found that keeping the bucket in the shade does help. I had a boyfriend who kept hunting dogs and he recommended that I put baking soda in the water to help prevent it but I never tried that. I just keep a small enough bucket right outside the door that I dump and refill it every other day.
Do you use anything besides water and elbow grease to clean it with? If not, try ordinary dishwashing soap and/or bleach. Be sure to rinse well.
This isn’t going to help you keep your bucket clean, but if all you looking for is a way to supply constantly clean water to your dog, may I recommend one of these?
This isn’t the one I have seen at pet stores, but it looks exactly the same. The one I have seen at Petsmart and the like is called a Lixit, I believe.
I just use a heavy duty paper towel to clean the scum off and it does a good job. I’ll try soap, though. Also will try keeping it in the shade.
Would a stainless steel bowl help with this, or will the algae/mold/gunk grow anyway?
Shera…I saw those online when I was searching for a solution. Two questions for you - one, was it hard to get your dog to use it? And two, do you have to keep the tap turned on? I’m not sure if my princess pup would be hip to using it (although she does love water from the spigot). She likes water out of something she can put her feet in 
It was pretty easy for me, but then he loves spigget water as well. I just brought him over and pushed the valve back to show him how it worked. When there is no other water source dogs can get pretty imaginitive. I wouldn’t try it for the first time on a really hot day, but once she figures it out it’s fine. You do have to keep the tap turned on, but the valve keeps water from dripping out, so it doesn’t leak. What does your dog love more? Spigget water or a foot bucket?