Hi Everyone,

I finally did it -- I built a mud pit in my yard! It has been incredible but, well, it's starting to smell a little ... swampy. Does anyone have any advice on how to take care of it, refresh it, sterilize it etc? Or would you kindly point me to something that has already been posted here? I tried searching but couldn't find anything. Basically I dug a hole, put a tarp down, filled with sifted clay from my yard and added water. I cover with a tarp at night. I had the idea to open it up to the brutal southwestern sun to "clean" it. But any other ideas/info are greatly welcome. Thank you so much.

--H

Congrats on the pit!

Clay contains bacteria, and yours would have had some organic content. Bacteria breaking down this causes the smell. You would also have added organic content when using it, even if just hair and skin cells.

Potters use copper carbonate (an anti-microbacterial agent) to prevent clay pots from smelling, but that could cause skin irritation, so best avoided.

Possibly use an anti bacterial safe for ponds/fish? Waterbac by AquaTechnologies contains 'beneficial bacteria', but it also breaks down 'sludge'.

Have you considered asking others with pits? MudMadPhil's mud pit springs to mind, and he might have the best advice.

Good luck!

I would try using a pool product, perhaps not chlorine but maybe bromide. It would be hit or miss as to how much to use, and it would need to be stirred in thoroughly and repeated regularly. It works for hot tubs which are the perfect bacterial breeding ground, so I don't see why it wouldn't work for an outdoor clay pit.

Treat it like you would a hot tub, I use chlorine and check the ph regularly.

Phil

thank you everyone so much!!! I bought some chlorine granules and will try to figure that out, like how much to add etc. I'll try to keep notes and share if anyone is interested. thinking of it like a hot tub and checking the ph is a great idea! Thank you again. I've been here on the UMD for a very long time but mostly just read and look at stuff. I'm not the most active member. but for you all to take the time to respond really means a lot to me. It's nice and sunny today so if I can get the mud bath rejuvenated I'll go for a nice wallow lol! cheers everyone.