How to Make Pine and Cinnamon Chicken Coop Cleaner

I’ve been moving away from over-the-counter chemical-laden cleaners in my home for years, and increasingly I’m doing the same for products to help my animals. And I’ll level with you: the safe, organic alternatives are just too expensive!

Luckily, some time back, I stumbled across the Fresh Eggs Daily blog and found this simple, natural way to keep your chicken coop clean, fresh, and pest-free. And all without resorting to chemical nastiness!

Now I’ve been using this pine and cinnamon cleaner religiously and it never fails to make my coop feel like a little slice of paradise. Plus, it’s so easy to make, you’ll wonder why you ever bothered with store-bought stuff.

An all-natural cleaner like this is a game-changer for chicken keepers; it’s safe for your flock, easy on your nose and doubles as a pest repellent.

It will make bugs and mammalian pests keep out and away from the coop, and is a great way to save money. Keep reading and I will tell you everything you need to know to make it.

Why You Don’t Want to Use Chemical Cleaners in the Coop

It turns out that chemicals like bleach, ammonia and other stuff are a real risk factor for chickens.

They can irritate their lungs, stress them out, and even make them sick. In some cases, prolonged or concentrated exposure can kill! And let’s not forget the residues left behind that can be a persistent issue.

Sure, they might kill bacteria and other germs just fine, but they don’t necessarily do anything to keep bugs or rodents at bay. Worse, some of those harsh chems can linger and taint your coop for weeks on end. It’s just unpleasant and also a health hazard.

I don’t know about you, but I’m not thrilled about handling toxic stuff myself these days, and I don’t want it anywhere near my egg-laying ladies; I will be eating those very same eggs, you know?

Believe me, there is no going back to the store-bought weirdness after you try this DIY version.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to whip up a batch of coop cleaner. These are all simple, natural ingredients you can find easily and for free in quantity. You might even have them in your backyard or elsewhere on your property right now.

Evergreen Branches, 2 to 3 small, fresh branches: Pick branches from a pine, fir, or spruce tree with a strong, fresh scent. Don’t use cedar.

Be sure they’re pesticide- and herbicide-free if you’re foraging them from unknown sources. If in doubt, don’t; birds are very vulnerable to toxins, including chickens. The needles are where much of the magic happens, so choose branches with plenty of fresh, clean foliage on them.

Cinnamon Sticks, 3-4 whole sticks: Common, everyday, food-grade cinnamon sticks. These add a warm aroma and many pests despise the scent of cinnamon.

Whole sticks work best to infuse the vinegar slowly and thoroughly. If you only have ground cinnamon, use 1 tablespoon; it works but it’ll make the liquid cloudier.

White Vinegar, 1 quart: The liquid component of this cleaner. White vinegar is cheap, cuts through grime, kills bacteria, and neutralizes odors readily. It’s a mainstay at my house and should be at yours, too. Note, don’t use apple cider vinegar here; it’s a bit too sweet and not as effective for cleaning.

And that’s it! Three ingredients, no nonsense chemicals. Note you can scale this up if you want a bigger batch, but the ingredient here will fill a standard quart mason jar. It’s plenty to work with for routine cleaning and freshening.

Equipment

Chances are, you’ve got most of this stuff in your kitchen already.

• Quart-Sized Mason Jar with Lid: For steeping the ingredients. Make sure it’s clean and has a tightly-sealing lid.
• Spray Bottle, 16-24 oz: For easily applying the cleaner in the coop. Reuse an old one only if it did not contain chemicals, or grab a new one from the hardware store.
• Strainer or Cheesecloth: To filter out the solids after steeping the solution. A fine mesh strainer works well enough, but cheesecloth is best if you want a crystal-clear liquid.
• Cutting Board or Worktop: For chopping or crushing the evergreen needles.
• Kitchen Knife: To strip needles and cut cinnamon sticks if needed.
• Measuring Cup: To measure out your vinegar accurately.
• Funnel (optional): Makes pouring the strained liquid into the spray bottle a cinch.
• Gloves (optional): If you don’t want sap on your hands, these are handy.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps, and you’ll have a batch of coop cleaner ready to go in no time. It is just about foolproof, even if you’ve never made a DIY cleaner like this before.

Step 1: Harvest or gather evergreen branches. Snip 2-3 small branches from a pine, fir, or spruce tree. If you’re buying them, check a local nursery or Christmas tree lot after the season is over. Give them a sniff to ensure they’re fragrant.

Step 2: Strip and crush needles. On your cutting board, strip some of the needles from some of the branches. Leave other needles in place. You’ll need enough to loosely fill half the mason jar. Use your knife to crush or chop them lightly. This releases the pine oils that give the cleaner its scent and pest-repelling power.

Step 3: Break cinnamon sticks. Snap 3 or 4 sticks into smaller pieces, if needed, to fit in the jar. You want them small enough to release their flavor but not pulverized.

Step 4: Fill mason jar with cinnamon, needles and sticks. Add the crushed needles and cinnamon pieces to the quart-sized mason jar. Fill it about half full, leaving room for the vinegar. Don’t cram it chock-full.

Step 5: Pour vinegar into jar. Pour white vinegar into the jar until it’s nearly to the rim, leaving about a half-inch of headspace for ease of handling. Screw the lid on tightly.

Step 6: Steep and wait. Place the jar on your counter or anywhere away from direct sunlight. Let it sit for 2-4 weeks so the extracts infuse the vinegar. Shake the jar gently once or twice a day to mix things up.

You’ll know it’s done when you open the lid and get a potent draft of both pine and cinnamon instead of vinegar tang alone.

Step 7: Strain the liquid. When the cleaner is ready, set your strainer or cheesecloth over a bowl or large measuring cup. Pour the liquid through to remove all the solids. If you’re using a strainer, you might need to do it twice.

Step 8: Transfer to spray bottle. Grab your funnel if you have one, and pour the strained liquid into the bottle. If you’re using it for scrubbing, keep some in a separate container for mopping on with a rag or just pouring out. IMG_2607

Step 9: Store and done. Keep it in a cool, dark place, and you’re ready for your next coop cleaning session!

And that’s it! I promise your coop will smell amazing after even a single use of this stuff, and your chickens will thank you.

Storage Life

Around 6 months. This pine and cinnamon cleaner is shelf-stable thanks to the vinegar, which is a natural preservative.

Stored in an airtight container like a mason jar, it’ll last at least that long in a cool, dark spot like a pantry or basement. I’ve kept batches for a year with no ill effects, but the scent does fade slightly over time.

But, if you notice the liquid getting oddly cloudy or starting to smell off or bland, meaning not like pine or cinnamon, it’s time to toss it and mix up a fresh batch. Also, shake the bottle before each use to incorporate all of the ingredients.

Use in the Coop

Spray directly on surfaces and stains as needed, or mist lightly in the air for a quick freshening. For deep cleaning, mix one part cleaner with one part water and scrub the coop walls and floor or other equipment.

You can wipe down feeders and waterers along with other fixtures using a cloth soaked in the solution if desired.

Tips and Tricks

• Pick the right evergreens. Not all evergreens are created equal. Pine and fir are my go-tos for fragrance and cleaning power. Avoid cedar as it’s too harsh for chickens and may harm them.
• Don’t short the steep! I know waiting weeks is a pain to make some cleaner, but trust me: it’s worth it. The vinegar needs time to mellow out and get the good stuff from the needles and cinnamon. If you use it too soon, it’ll just smell like vinegar and it won’t work as well.
• Test finished surfaces on a small spot first. Some coops have painted or treated wood that might react poorly to vinegar or the volatile oils from the other ingredients. As always, if you care about discoloration spray a small spot and check later to make sure it doesn’t discolor or peel.
• Try it beyond the coop. This stuff is really great for wiping down kitchen counters and other hard surfaces, freshening up trash cans, or even spraying in your laundry room for a quick and easy burst of freshness. Once again, take care if using on or around delicate surfaces.
• Double up on the cinnamon for pest control. If you’ve got a serious bug problem, add an extra cinnamon stick or two to the usual mix. The stronger its scent, the less critters will want to hang around.
• Don’t neglect your usual cleanout procedure. If you smell that telltale ammonia from chicken poop, it’s time to do your full coop cleanout. This spray is great for maintenance, but it’s not a substitute for raking out old bedding: covering up ammonia or other stench is just sweeping the problem under the rug!