How to Get Rid of Mouse Droppings Smell

There exist a number of things about the presence of mice in your home or business that are reprehensible. One such item on the list is the smell of mouse droppings. There are some steps that you can take to eliminate the smell associated with mouse droppings at your home or business.

Safety First

The most important aspect of getting rid of mouse droppings smell is bearing in mind the overarching importance of safety. When it comes to eliminating the smell of mouse droppings, safety absolutely is the first and foremost consideration.

Many people engage in unsafe practices when it comes to cleaning up mouse droppings and eliminating the associated smell. These individuals simply do not know the potential danger that mouse droppings pose.

Mouse droppings can contain seriously dangerous biohazards in the form of:

  • Hantavirus
  • Salmonella
  • Leptospirosis

These are all pathogens that can cause serious and even fatal illnesses. Take the hantavirus as an example.

The hantavirus remains active in mouse droppings even after the feces dry. Mouse droppings can crumble when the dry, potentially releasing feces dust contaminated with a pathogen like a hantavirus into the air.

Because many people do not realize this can happen, they clean up mouse droppings in a manner that fails to follow appropriate safety protocols. These individuals run the risk of becoming infected by a harmful virus-like hantavirus or a dangerous bacterium.

Safety first when eliminating mouse droppings smell necessitates proper safety gear that includes:

  • Breathing respirator
  • Gloves
  • Apron, smock, or uniform
  • Goggles
  • Head covering
  • Shoe covering

Air out the Infested Space

Once you don appropriate safety gear, the next step in getting rid of mouse droppings and their smell is to air out the infested area. This serves two purposes.

First, airing out a space that is contaminated by mouse droppings does lessen the odor associated with them. Second, airing out space also serves to eliminate at least some of the airborne mouse droppings dust that may be present.

Proper Cleaning and Deodorizing Concoction

There are commercial products on the market that can be useful in cleaning up mouse droppings, sanitizing the space in which these feces were found, and in eliminating the odor associated with this waste. You can also make your own cleaning concoction that can safely be used to eradicate mouse droppings, to sanitize the area, and to aid in eliminating the mouse droppings odor.

In order to make this cleaning, sanitizing, and deodorizing solution, you blend 1 ½ cups of bleach with 1 gallon of water. This solution can be used both during the initial cleanup phase, discussed in a moment, and in the sanitization phases as well.

Initial Cleanup Process

The initial cleanup process, on hard surfaces, that forms the foundation for eliminating mouse droppings odor, is to begin by filling a spray bottle with the bleach and water mixture. You then spray the mouse droppings area until it is saturated with the solution.

The solution is left on the area for about 20 minutes. After that time, the mouse droppings (and likely urine as well) is cleaned up. This can be done with paper towels that are properly disposed of once used to clean up the mouse droppings. This step alone eliminates a great deal of the odor associated with mouse droppings

Sanitization Process

This cleanup phase is followed by what best can be referenced to be the sanitization phase. Any hard surface is wiped down with the bleach solution. The mixture is allowed to dry, which generally eliminates nearly any trace odor that may persist.

Steam Cleaning

If fabric has been contaminated by mouse droppings and an associated odor, steam cleaning or shampooing should be considered as possible tactics to employ. Steam cleaning is capable of thoroughly cleaning up, sanitizing, and deodorizing following contamination by mouse droppings.

Benefits of White Vinegar

The final step in getting rid of mouse droppings odor is to place a few open bowels containing white vinegar in the space. This works to eliminate any residual odors associated with the mouse droppings odor.

Ozone Generators Are Not Legal in California

If you are a California resident, and someone suggests you use an ozone generator – don’t do so. California has taken steps to ban the use of these devices. Frankly, if you follow the tactics set forth in this article, you don’t need to go to that extreme anyway.

Professional Assistance

If you want to be certain to thoroughly and safely eliminate mouse droppings odor, seriously consider retaining the services of a professional. A mouse droppings cleanup and odor elimination specialist can provide you the assistance you need to ensure that your home is returned to a fully livable condition.