Interior Cleaning Recommendations..
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,752
Likes: 62
From: New Madison Ohio
Interior Cleaning Recommendations..
I had a mouse infestation in my car during storage. I don't have to tell anyone what kind of damage these little things can cause. My question is I definitely have an odor of mouse feces/urine and also found some starting to decay in the area behind the radio. My question is what can I do to get rid of this odor (whole car stinks)? I have though about taking it somewhere and having them do it, but what would be the fun in that. Any suggestions would be helpful.
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 14,104
Likes: 244
From: South Florida
you need to pull the carpet and get down to the flooring. You will want to use a commercial cleaner while using gloves in a well ventilated area. You will then likely want to have the carpets extracted. There are products that are very good at removing bad odors(Carpros So Pure) but these really are not meant for the issues you've got. Do it the right way or likely at somepoint someone may get quite ill.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,752
Likes: 62
From: New Madison Ohio
Thanks for the response. I was thinking that maybe I would have to pull the carpet to clean it and underneath it. I have even thought about just replacing the whole carpet after I cleaned the floor. Again thanks for the response back..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,909
Likes: 4
From: Ponte Vedra Beach / London State: Dazed and confused
Rodent Infestation
The house mouse (Mus musculus) can at times be harmful rodents; they are carriers of more than sixty infectious diseases spreading them through their parasites and feces. They can transmit pathogens that cause diseases such as salmonellosis, a form of food poisoning.
In North America, breathing dust that has come in contact with mouse excrements has been linked to Hantavirus, which may lead to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). So ensure you have the appropriate PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) gloves, masks, goggles and coveralls.
Remediation of odour, cleaning, sanitizing replacing components affected by the rodent to include ventilation system and cabin air filters.
Spray down with disinfectants and HEPA vacuum any droppings or materials they have contaminated. The danger from infection comes from mice droppings (feces) which look like black peppercorn and about 0.12 in long, and have a strong musty smell, its urine, which can be seen with a black light, a strong odor is more likely caused from decaying matter especially if the rodent has died.
Rodents are carriers of more than sixty infectious diseases like hanta virus and persons cleaning should wear PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) gloves, masks, goggles and coveralls, and not stir up droppings or materials contaminated. Spray down with disinfectants and HEPA vacuum any droppings or materials contaminated
Rodents due to their size (3or 4 inches long) are able to squeeze into many small places where they leave droppings, urine or nest and sometimes die. The areas to check would be the engine heat shield, exhaust pipes, heater box opening, and glove box, under dashboard and seats, door storage, the center console bumper covers and the trunk.
The odour is more likely caused from urine and / or decaying matter
Proceed to remove plenum cowling from around windshield and then clean and disinfect entire area and parts. Fog a/c ventilation ducts with disinfectants, remove cabin air filter and disinfect housing, when decontamination is complete replace cabin air filter with new.
Check behind heat shield for nests or decomposing matter, check the interior compartment, under seats to include trunk for any sign of droppings, or nests. Check electrical wiring for any damage.
Inspect all interior areas and under seats and include trunk for any sign of droppings, or nests and / or decomposing matter. Check electrical wiring for any damage. Once all areas have been checked, cleaned and disinfected, treat for odor with appropriate chemicals. When you have finished cleaning go over all hard and soft surfaces with Lysol disinfectant or a vapour steam cleaner.
Inspect all interior areas and under seats and include trunk for any sign of droppings, or nests and / or decomposing matter. Check electrical wiring for any damage. Once all areas have been checked, cleaned and disinfected, treat for odor with appropriate chemicals. When you have finished cleaning go over all hard and soft surfaces with Lysol disinfectant or a vapour steam cleaner. (See also Odour, Mould and Smoke Control article).
Products - Microban Mildew & Mold Remover is an environmentally-safe, anti-microbial formula that destroys bacterial odours on contact. When you cannot use chlorine, Microban is a very effective solution. The formula is a water-based, non-flammable bactericide, fungicide, deodorant and anti-microbial, all in one formulation
Application - do not dilute, use full strength, apply via sprayer to porous surfaces until moist, no not over wet, brush into carpeting, allow to dry 10-20 minutes
A vapour steam cleaning of the interior will help to sanitise and kill any remaining bacteria
Caution- use respiratory protection and gloves as the droppings (feces) constitute a health hazard that can cause an allergic reactions and respiratory problems, and cause disease
Extract from "Long Term Vehicle Storage" article by TOGWT
