Well, this can’t be good—nobody, and we mean nobody, wants that musty, rank odor of mouse urine on their clothes, carpet, or upholstery. It’s a tough job and yeah, it’s—pretty gross!
We’ve got your back though, and with the right equipment and a little direction, you’ll have this cleaned up in no time. But first, some safety measures. Yes, safety— not just hygiene. Let’s take a look:
The 10 Ideas & Easy Tips to Remove Mouse Urine Smell From Fabrics
Preparation
1. Suit Up
You’re going to want to source some protective equipment. An N95 mask, which we wish we needed to explain to you, is a perfect barrier designed for the kinds of diseases that can be transferred from mice to humans. Let’s not go down that road! Mask up, wear some good thick rubber gloves, and ideally, some clothing you can dispose of when finished.
2. Find the Spot
Next, it’s time to find the spot. This should be a priority because the sooner you find the urine, the better. You likely already have a general idea about where the smell is coming from if you haven’t already confirmed the exact location. Unfortunately, mice often leave more urine than you may initially expect, so to reiterate, the sooner, the better.
Clothing
3. Wash in Sink or Tub
The first thing to do is start soaking the soiled garment in hot water in either a large sink or tub. You’ll need enzyme-based cleaners that work to neutralize the smell and stain of the urine. These products can usually be found at your local grocery store or online.
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Soak for at least an hour and then drain the tub and rinse the shirt out. You can repeat this process or move on to the next step:
4. Laundry and CleanupÂ
Once you’ve let the garment soak and essentially hand wash it (don’t forget to use your protective gear!), you can put it in the laundry. Again, you will use the enzyme cleaners, but if you are fortunate enough to be saving whites (provided you are able to get the stain out) then you can and should simply use bleach. Don’t mix cleaners in this case, (never do that) just use bleach.
Carpet
5. Vinegar Solution
If the mice have left a urine stain and odor on your carpet, it is a drag, but there are some things you can do. First, you are going to soak the affected area with a simple solution. Mix 1 part vinegar with 1 part water, soak the area, and dab it until it is nearly dry.
Repeat this step 2–3 times, as you see fit. It is important to make sure that you remember to wear all of your protective gear that was mentioned in the first step at this stage.
6. Steam Cleaner
Next, you need to rent a steam cleaner from wherever this service is available in your area. Much like the enzyme cleaners mentioned above, this is something that you can usually rent from the local grocery store for under $80.
Speaking of enzyme cleaners, you can (and should) get some that work with the steam cleaner. Hit the affected area thoroughly. The great thing about the combination of the steam cleaner and the enzymes is that you can get that odor-neutralizing cleaner deep down where it wasn’t possible by hand.
Make sure you open any windows and doors and if possible, turn on a fan to let the circulation aid drying. This also helps to freshen up the space and dissipate the odor.
7. Baking Soda
Once the carpet has dried out, there is one final touch to help freshen your carpets back up. Pour out a good amount of baking soda all over the previously affected, but now thoroughly cleaned and dried carpets.
You can also mix in some essential oils of your choice at this point if you wish. It can be nice to reclaim your space with that extra touch. Citrus scents are particularly effective in this situation. Let the baking soda sit for a couple of hours and then vacuum it back up. With any luck, your carpet will be better off than before this all happened!
Upholstery
8. Soak & Dab
This step and essentially the whole procedure for upholstery is just a modified version of the steps that you would take for the carpet if you happened to read that section. If not, no worries here’s what you do:
Get some white vinegar and some water into a spray bottle. Use a 1:1 ratio. You’re going to give the affected area a good spray, and then soak it back up with an old rag or towel. You will want to repeat this step several times.
9. Enzyme Cleaners and Attachments
Again, rent a steam cleaner and purchase some enzyme cleaners that are compatible with it. It is possibly going to cost you a little bit extra, but you can rent upholstery attachments that work very well with specialized cleaners to clean the stains and remove the odor of mouse urine.
Much like the carpets, you should give the affected area a vigorous and thorough cleaning. You can also go on to put baking soda and essential oils on your upholstery and vacuum it after a couple of hours, once the other steps have been completed and it is dry. But the most important step yet still lies ahead:
10. Get Rid of the Mice!
If you have a mouse infestation then you’ll notice feces that looks like apple seeds, small tangles of nesting materials like insulation, and maybe even see the offenders yourself. It’s important to get rid of them. Setting traps in places that they roam such as cupboards can help for small infestations, but if you have a serious problem, you’ll need to call a professional.
Other places that mice like to inhabit include crawlspaces, walls, behind appliances, in ducting for heating and cooling systems, and inside furniture—-especially if it’s pushed up against the wall. Use extreme care and caution when handling any kind of mousetrap or related device.
Final Thoughts
When you’re desperately trying to fend off an infestation while saving your fabrics and space from the invaders, it can be really stressful. Not to mention the degradation of having to deal with feces and urine from the pests. Luckily, it can be cleaned successfully. We know it can feel like a crisis, but hang in there, do what you need to do, and you will take back your space.
Featured Image Credit: PDPics, Pixabay
