Cleaning stable walls?

[JGC]

Just wondering what you use to clean whitewashed stable walls in winter (i.e. I can't give them a full-on hose down as they'll never dry). I was thinking of trying scrubbing a vinegar and bicarbonate of soda concoction, as it won't be too smelly or toxic - the horses will have to go back in there at night. Or any other ideas?

(If my OH ever sees this post, I'm going to be a whole world of trouble about the effort I don't put into housework, compared with stable work ... )

 

[mariew]

Well the worst thing that might happen with vinegar and water is that it doesn't get clean. So I'd try it. Something like 1 part distilled vinegar to 3 water. You can get white vinegar cheaply online or supermarkets

 

[JGC]

Well the worst thing that might happen with vinegar and water is that it doesn't get clean. So I'd try it. Something like 1 part distilled vinegar to 3 water. You can get white vinegar cheaply online or supermarkets

Good point! Yes, I have some non-food grade vinegar for cleaning knocking around, which is an added advantage!

 

[HappyHollyDays]

I just use a bucket if warm soapy water, usually washing up liquid as it gets a good hold of the grease marks and then with a small nylon scrubbing brush and a microfibre cloth clean in sections. I don’t allow it to get soaked through and once clean I rinse with warm clean water.

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

I just repaint it white….

 

[JGC]

I just repaint it white….

It's not my yard, but there'll be a painting party when they go back out 24/7!

 

[Birker2020]

I have those green plastic stable walls in my stable and i use shampoo and hot water and a soft cloth and they come up really clean. When i used to be in a stable that had white breezeblocks at the back i used to scrub with a floorbrush and washing powder diluted with hot water and they used to come up clean.

 

[Sprig]

Silly question but why do you want to clean the walls now? Can you not wait until spring when it is warmer?

 

[JGC]

Silly question but why do you want to clean the walls now? Can you not wait until spring when it is warmer?

New horse

 

[paddy555]

silly question but why does it matter if the walls are wet? Mine are painted white and I just pressure wash them even at this time of the year. Brings them up very clean and considerably reduces the number of times I have to repaint.

 

[JGC]

silly question but why does it matter if the walls are wet? Mine are painted white and I just pressure wash them even at this time of the year. Brings them up very clean and considerably reduces the number of times I have to repaint.

It's currently -4 So it's not going to dry very quickly

 

[Annagain]

I think I'd just leave it until the Spring, even with a new horse. Vinegar might clean but won't disinfect so I doubt there'd be a health benefit. Jeyes fluid mixed with some water into a spray bottle, sprayed onto the walls which are then wiped down would probably be your best bet for disinfecting but unless you know the horse currently in there has something wrong with him, I'd leave it. The horse won't care that its new stable is a bit grubby.

 

[MuddyMonster]

I think I'd just leave it until the Spring, even with a new horse. Vinegar might clean but won't disinfect so I doubt there'd be a health benefit. Jeyes fluid mixed with some water into a spray bottle, sprayed onto the walls which are then wiped down would probably be your best bet for disinfecting but unless you know the horse currently in there has something wrong with him, I'd leave it. The horse won't care that its new stable is a bit grubby.

This is what I would do & pressure hose in the Spring (re-painting if necessary).

 

[JGC]

Think I'm stressing about it too because she's on loan and the yard she coming from is a very fancy place (but not horse-centred to me, where I am is way more natural way of life, despite the grubby walls) and I'm a bit worried the owner will freak out. But I'll get rid of the cobwebs etc. first and then maybe I'll chill out a bit!

 

[PurBee]

I’d use a hot bucket of water, and have some washing up liquid, as suggested already - its great for grease.
Initially wet an area using large sponge with hot water to get it soaking, then put a blob of washing up liquid on a scouring pad and scrub. Then rinse/wipe-off with sponge.

It’s not a full disinfect, but would get the worst off.

But portable electric power washers are excellent for doing stable walls, floor in better weather, saves loads of time than scrubbing by hand ?