Barns are notorious for their pungent scents. Mostly, they are harmless, but excessive odors can affect you and your horse’s health. However, neutralizing those scents with chemical products can worsen the problem. Your best bet is to create a homemade odor neutralizer for your barn that benefits both you and your horse. Here are some that you can try:
Baking soda
One of the easiest solutions to potent, unwanted scents is through the use of one of the most versatile products: baking soda. People use it in their refrigerators or freezers, and you can use it in your barn, too! Baking soda is an effective odor neutralizer and deodorizer that won’t be harmful in any way. It also can be used in more ways than you think.
For instance, it works great as an addition to cleaning buckets or food and water dishes. To make this cleaner: Combine 2 teaspoons of baking soda and add 1 teaspoon of water. The consistency should be paste-like. Using a brush, apply the paste to food or water buckets and scrub away. You should be able to remove any unwanted buildup with ease.
If you’re worried about stench in your stalls, try sprinkling a little bit of baking soda on the ground and covering it with shavings. It will keep your stalls smelling fresh and clean, and it helps deter flies.
“Clean your horse’s stalls on a regular basis so scents don’t linger.”
Vinegar
Another jack-of-all-trades solution is white vinegar. Try mixing vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Use this to spray your stalls. It’ll eliminate any overwhelming barn-like scents. It’s also inexpensive and versatile and can be used to clean food and water dishes like baking soda. If the vinegar scent is too overpowering for you, try adding essential oils or extra water to the spray mixture.
Some people recommend setting out a bowl filled with vinegar to consistently eliminate the scent. If you want to try this method, be sure to place it somewhere it won’t be knocked over by you or the horses.
Regular cleaning
The most effective way to stop barn odor is maintenance. Be sure to clean your horse’s stalls on a regular basis so scents don’t linger. In addition, you’ll find a variety of commercial products to help deodorize your barn online or at your local equine stores. If you are not sure if solutions or products could potentially be harmful to your horse, check with a veterinarian beforehand.
