How can you remove the odor from a shofar?

Answer 1

Comments from my Website: http://shofar221.com

How to Clean a Shofar

Dear Art,

A friend returned form Israel and presented me with a beautiful Shofar. It sounds great. But the one big problem is that it stinks. There were probably some marrow pieces left inside. My question is simple: "How do you clean a Shofar?

Dear Reader,

To answer your question, my wife spoke to Mrs. Sarah Glaser, author of Life Saver! - The Jewish Homemaker's Survival Kit (Targum Press/Feldheim ). She recommends diluted vinegar (weak acid) or baking soda for removing odors. Pour synthetic vinegar into the Shofar. Then soak the new Shofar or weak base (soapy warm water) for 20 minutes. Allow it to dry. Rinse and repeat. If necessary, let sit overnight in the vinegar/baking soda solution.

You can use some more powerful acids or bases: however, such caustic materials also dissolve the keratin (material) in the mouthpiece and sound chamber areas, thus either changing or compromising its performance. So if applied, these agents should be dried (fan or hair dryer as quickly as possible.

Another source suggests using a skunk deodorizer recipe:

In a bucket, mix:

• 1 quart of FRESH hydrogen peroxide (available at your local drugstore or grocery store in the health care aisle)
• 1/4 cup baking soda
• 1 teaspoon liquid soap or weak vinegar

The mixture will bubble. Thoroughly wet the victim (of the skunk attack) in this mixture. Wash with the mixture as if it were shampoo while it is bubbling. Rinse and repeat. And bee careful not to contaminate the rinse water.

The soap breaks down the oil in which the odor is suspended, and the hydrogen peroxide and baking soda (or vinegar) neutralize the scent. Do not premix the solution or store this potion in a bottle (the bubbling would cause it to explode).

http://www.a2zgorge.info/community/health/skunk-remedy.htm. Accessed April 3, 2005.

A third source suggests airing a Shofar in an open air space. Air fresheners are useful for deodorizing Shofars, if they actually break up or absorb the smell rather than masking it. Hydrogen peroxide could be applied in severe cases and it cleans the bell opening nicely.

Note that Mid-East Mfg now has a functional synthetic Shofar that has no odor and it's attractive for display purposes as well. However, I really do not think it is kosher because it has to be of a horn of a kosher animal, just as it was in Temple.

http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/sbs777/prophecy/Shofar.html. Accessed January 15, 2005.