How to Clean Mouse Droppings from Carpet | 7 Safest Steps
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Carpets add beauty to the house but keeping them clean becomes a nightmare if there are mice in the house. Since mouse droppings are tiny and sticky, they are difficult to clean.
Cleaning Mouse droppings off the carpet is somewhat necessary as they are gross and can spread disease. It isn’t impossible, though. To get rid of the mouse poop, you need assistance from pest control. You can learn how to clean mouse droppings from the carpet, once you go through our instructions. You can clean these at home, and there’s no need to pay a lot for carpet washing.
7 Safest Steps to Clean Mouse Droppings from Carpet
Follow these steps so that you can remove mouse dropping with ease. You will need some tools for this task. Such as-
- Rubber gloves
- Use a detergent
- Paper towels
- Plastic bags
Let’s take a look at each step-
Step 1: Ventilate the House
Before you start the cleaning process, open all windows and doors of your house. Allow fresh air to circulate inside for 30 minutes. Stay away from this place until it has been thoroughly ventilated, which will prevent you from inhaling any hazardous dust.
Step 2: Use a Detergent
Wear rubber gloves and thoroughly soak the area with detergent. You should be a bit picky while choosing detergent as these can harm the carpet. Normally, you may find a tag on the carpet advising which detergents are safe for your carpet. If there’s none, contact the manufacturer or seek help from an expert.
Step 3: Spray the Detergent
Make a solution with a safe detergent and spray it on the carpet. Let the solution stay on it for five minutes so that it can kill the germs.
Step 4: Removing Mouse Droppings
The solution should loosen the droppings after five minutes. Then you can clean them from the carpet easily. Use a paper towel to clean them. Then, put the dirty paper towel in a sealed plastic bag.
Step 5: Droppings Disposal
Seal all the droppings inside the plastic bag. Then, Place the bag in a trash can with a secure lid. Remove the container from the house if possible.
Step 6: Clean the Gloves and Hands
You need to clean the gloves and your hands after you have finished cleaning. But before you take them off, use soap with antibacterial properties and clean them. Wash carefully so that there are no bacteria left on them. Now, remove the gloves and wash your hands in the same process.
Step 7: Steam Clean the Carpet If Possible
There might still be germs or bacteria on the carpet after cleaning. To get rid of them fully, you may steam clean the carpet if you have a steam cleaner. We know the heat generated from the steam cleaner can disinfect about 99% of germs. Choose a steam cleaner designed for this kind of floor. Remember, it’s an optional choice. there is no need to buy a steam cleaner just for this task, if you already have one use that one, or else you can skip this part.
Why Is It Essential To Clean Mouse Droppings From Carpet?
Mouse droppings are dangerous as they may carry many harmful viruses such as Hantavirus or plague. In the past, countless people died from these diseases. To ensure your family’s safety, you should clean not only the carpet but also everywhere in your home.
Hantavirus is a deadly disease for humans caused by rats. When people come into contact with contaminated mouse droppings, they become infected. People that are close to areas where rodents are actively living have their chances of being infected.
Plague is another dangerous disease carried by mice. People can get affected by this disease if they contact the carrier mouse or its droppings. If left untreated, the plague can be a very serious disease. In the fourteenth century, the Black Death killed over 50 million people in Europe. The plague caused this tragedy. The excellent news is plague is now almost extinct, and it can be treated easily nowadays.
Another dangerous disease caused by mouse droppings is Salmonellosis. It is spread by eating infected food. Diarrhea, fever, and stomach pain are some of the symptoms of this disease.
Another potentially deadly infectious disease is Rat-Bite Fever (RBF). It spreads in the same way as Salmonellosis.
Each of these diseases is fatal to human health, and they spread mostly through mouse droppings. A little animal like a mouse can deal deadly damage to society by spreading them. To ensure the safety of our health, we must clean it regularly.
Do’s and Don’ts for Preventing Mouse Droppings
Now you know how to clean mouse droppings. Still, it’s better to prevent the cause rather than deal with them. It is best to prevent rats out of your home.
- Underneath the doors, install door sweeps. Fill in cracks and holes on the outside of your house. These precautions will keep mice from entering from the outside.
- Food attracts mice, so never leave food in open places. Keep the food in air-locked containers for avoiding the attraction of mice.
- Take out the trash every day.
- Moisture attracts mice as well. So, keep your home dry by repairing leaking pipes and clogged drains.
- Examine objects such as boxes and shopping bags that are carried into the home. It’s to prevent mice from infiltrating the house through outside packages.
- Be sure to clean the bushes near your house regularly. Mice like to live in these places. Mice would be less likely to linger around your house if you remove their hiding places.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Will Vacuum Up Clean Mouse Droppings From the Carpet?
Among various cleaning options, the vacuum cleans a carpet most effectively. It can easily clean mouse droppings from the carpet as well. Vacuuming, on the other hand, can produce dust that contains the Hantavirus. Although a vacuum cleaner can pick up mouse droppings, there is a risk to inhale dust contaminated with Hantavirus. To keep your family safe from this lethal virus, avoid vacuuming.
What Disinfectant Kills Hantavirus?
Detergents and disinfectants, such as diluted household bleach or phenol-containing products, are effective against the Hantavirus. Also, chlorine bleach can kill this virus. The solution should contain 10% chlorine bleach and 90% water. Some cleaning detergents can also kill this virus. But to ensure its total eradication, it is best to use chlorine bleach or Lysol.
How Long Do Mouse Droppings Carry Disease?
Hantavirus can survive up to 3 days in mouse droppings at normal temperature. That is why it is best to remove these carefully from your house to prevent this disease. We still can’t say for sure whether droppings are still safe and free from Hantavirus after 2 or 3 days, so always disinfect first before cleaning them.
Is It Possible to Get Sick From Old Mouse Droppings?
Any mouse dropping is dangerous. Even droppings from the old mouse can carry deadly diseases. Do not let your guard down while cleaning them.
Conclusion
Cleaning mouse droppings isn’t the only thing you have to do. You must maintain a clean and healthy environment in your house. Sometimes, you may not see any traces of droppings, but as a mouse urinates while moving, your house may already be infected. Mop floor regularly with a disinfectant solution. Never leave food outside and always clean the kitchen after preparing food. Now, you know how to clean mouse droppings from carpet, so follow these steps and keep your family safe from fatal diseases carried by the mouse.
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