Community Forums

88allegro · 06-16-2011, 05:12 PM

Bought our first MH last month and I have been in the process of cleaning it out, and doing some remodeling. I have found mouse dropings all over the coach, I have got them cleaned out pretty good but want to know the best method of cleaning and disinfecting all these areas. I have read a bunch of post on how to keep them out but nothing on clean up and making it sanitary. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

OneRVer · 06-16-2011, 05:34 PM

You might try contacting a environmental clean up company and ask for there advice. Or use a lot of Lysol and elbow grease.

vman60 · 06-16-2011, 06:08 PM

Just about any disefectant will kill the bacteria. Most of which are alcohol based. Lysol would be 1. I would mop, wipe down and clean as much as you can get to with it. Anything short of that will mask and cover it. You might try a carpet cleaning company in your area or a janitor supply co. I spent 27 yrs in the cleaning industry and specialized in fabrics and chemicles. My 1 st stop would be a janitor supply co. Good luck.

Senior Chief · 06-17-2011, 06:09 AM

If you are in the western states you want to be especially careful with mouse droppings due to the risk of hantavirus. Dried mouse dung, when inhaled can cause serious illness if infected with this virus.

Avoid stirring up any dust; in other words, don't sweep, but vacuum (if you have a HEPA filter) or wipe up with a damp paper towel instead (safest). Discard the vacuum bag after you're done with the job.

After visible droppings are gone;

On hard surfaces, use a solution of 3 tablespoons household bleach and a few drops of dish liquid in a gallon of luke-warm water. Wipe down the areas where you've cleaned up droppings with a paper towel moistened with the bleach-water solution. If any dirt shows up on the paper towel, wipe again with a second moist towel. Discard the paper towel after each swipe.

If there were droppings on carpet, vacuum carefully and then test your bleach-water solution in an inconspicuous area; if no fading, spray on the affected area and "scrub" into the fibers with a clean brush or paper towel. You can also use Lysol to sanitize on your carpets and upholstery.

Clothes and washables; launder as usual with an extra hot-water or sanitizing rinse cycle, or simply launder twice.

If you want to be doubly careful, get an inexpensive black light device and shine in the areas you've cleaned; mouse and rat urine will glow under blacklight.

88allegro · 06-17-2011, 12:07 PM

Thanks for all the suggestions, I will try them all. Up to this point we have been scrubbing everything we can reach with a mixture of pinsol, bleach and hot water. I have removed all the carpet in the living space and put down vinyl. Shampooed all upholstery.

Thanks again for all the suggestions!!! I love this forum, lots of help for us that are learning!!

want2camp · 06-18-2011, 07:41 PM

Get a disinfectant with live enzymes. The enzymes actually consume the bacteria left behind by the mice. We use it all the time to disinfect attics when doing rodent exclusions. Also helps with musty odors and cigarette smoke that has permiated cloth fibers. There are several manufacturers, we've had good luck with Bac-azap.