Mouse odor remedies
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,104
Likes: 171
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Mouse odor remedies
I know this has been discussed here on the forum many times. I recently found a dead mouse on the floor of my 57. Sucker was still limp, so I assumed it died shortly before I found it. I drive my car at least twice a week and have never had a rodent issue until now, after 23 years of ownership. I’m assuming the stink is mostly due to urine since I found the bastard in short order. I’ve tried baking soda, enzyme cleaner, peppermint oil spray and white vinegar, and still can’t get rid of smell. Anyone have a tried and true solution? I’m at my wits end at this point. Our home pest control firm recommends a product called Odoban for nasty odors. Please give me your advice before I sell my car!!
John
John
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,286
Likes: 933
From: Indiana
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
My body shop friend says they use an iorizer in cars that have the mouse odor and/or musty smell and it works very well. Perhaps you could rent one. My son bought a Back Bar out of a 100 year old tavern and it smelled of smoke so badly he didn't want to put it in his house. He took it to a place that had a ionizer toom and the smell is completely gone. I don't remember how long the kept it in the room though. I've seen the ionizers for sale on amazon but don't know how well they work.
Gary
Gary
Racer
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 457
Likes: 240
It’s like cat pee only not as bad. Start using pine tree air fresheners for now. Eventually the smell should diminish. Be thankful it’s not cat pee.
Time is your friend.
Time is your friend.
Last edited by DonBond; Jun 8, 2026 at 07:45 PM.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2025
Posts: 255
Likes: 268
From: Mid Michigan
Ozone. Works even in ducts. Buy an ozone generator and have discharge into the car in the eveing via a cracked door window. Run for 2 hrs, small car, turn off, let it sit overnight. Magical.
Removes smells, including barf, smoke, musty, pee.
Removes smells, including barf, smoke, musty, pee.
Last edited by Ted64C2; Jun 9, 2026 at 06:19 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 800
From: New Orleans
Try Natures Miracle. It's for eliminating "pet odors" and works well on dog and cat pee so I'd assume mouse pee would be no different. I buy it at PetSmart but it's probably available most anywhere.
If that doesn't completely eliminate the odor I'd finish up with an ionizer.
If that doesn't completely eliminate the odor I'd finish up with an ionizer.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 8,957
Likes: 5,510
From: Richardson Texas
Ionizers work miracles and have come way down in price. I'd give this one a try...certainly inexpensive enough.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Foukus-Po...xoCDtcQAvD_BwE
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Foukus-Po...xoCDtcQAvD_BwE
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,720
Likes: 904
From: Warminster PA
I hate to say this, but if there is one, there are usually more.......... Keep an eye out for fresh droppings or otehr evidence. Maybe put a snap trap with some peanut button on the floor boards overnight and see if you catch any more.
Put the top down, open the doors and let it bake in the sun for a few days - might help
Put the top down, open the doors and let it bake in the sun for a few days - might help
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,236
Likes: 175
From: IN
My body shop friend says they use an ionizer in cars that have the mouse odor and/or musty smell and it works very well. Perhaps you could rent one. My son bought a Back Bar out of a 100 year old tavern and it smelled of smoke so badly he didn't want to put it in his house. He took it to a place that had an ionizer room and the smell is completely gone. I don't remember how long the kept it in the room though. I've seen the ionizers for sale on amazon but don't know how well they work.
Gary
Gary
They used a (very large) ozone machine, which was connected to one of the large containers (like go on cargo ships / train cars). For potential assistance to the OP, you might want to call the local ServPro or the like (they specialize in home / office flood / fire restorations) for ideas. Here is the actual description of services provided that eliminated the smoke smell from the back bar Dad mentioned above:
1) Deodorize building - Hot Thermal fog
2) Cleaning technician - Per hour to clean entire bar
3) Deodorize building - Ozone treatment
It doesn't specifically outline the times, but if memory serves (it's been ten years), Servpro had the back bar in the container for 24 hours for the thermal fog, and 48 hours for the ozone treatment (given the size, they can treat multiple large items at a time). In full transparency, I was very suspicious that it would work (imagine nearly 100 YEARS of smoke penetrating wood grain), but it did. Not in any way suggesting this approach, but a Corvette would (easily) fit in a cargo container....
Brian A.
84 Z51 coupe
90 ZR-1
12.09@118mph
01 Z06
not quite stock
64 convertible
"Soon"
Last edited by ZR WON; Jun 9, 2026 at 10:01 AM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,104
Likes: 171
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Thank you all for your replies and suggestions. They are all appreciated. I will admit that one of the most effective solutions so far has been the white vinegar in a bowl! It really did help to reduce the stench. I’m hoping this is an isolated incident, as we have a pest control company come on a regular basis to try and keep the critters away. Unfortunately these old cars are like Swiss cheese - practically impossible to plug all the access holes.