How to Get Rid of a Dead Mouse Smell in a Car
by Tom Don
To get rid of dead mouse smell in the car, the first thing to do is get rid of the dead mouse. Once removed, the dead mouse odor can last for several weeks. No matter how many scented candles, air fresheners or bags of potpourri you have kept in the car, this is just not enough to get rid of the hideous smell. These might mask the smell of the dead mouse temporarily but for a permanent solution, you need to do more.
Step 1
Remove the dead decaying mouse from the car. Wear protective gear like gloves and a HEPA mask as the dead rodent may carry diseases.
Step 2
Make a cleaning solution to coat the dead mouse with before removing it from the car. According to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the solution can be made using a 1/2 cup of household bleach with 5 cups water. Pour the solution in a bottle and spray it on the mouse and let it soak for 15 minutes to kill all bacteria and viruses it might be carrying.
Step 3
Put the dead mouse in a garbage bag and tie the ends tightly so the smell cannot escape.
Step 4
Clean the affected area with a commercial disinfectant cleaner, water and cloth. Vacuum the car carpet and wipe the seats and gears properly. Consider getting the car interiors washed by a professional.
Step 5
Spray some liquid bleach cleaning solution on the area where the dead animal was removed from. Liquid bleach will instantly give relief from odor problems.
Step 6
Pour a cup of vinegar in a spray bottle and spray around the car interiors. Vinegar is safe on carpet and cloth but should not be used on leather. Spray the solution on the surface and let it sit for 5 minutes. Wipe vinegar away with a clean damp cloth.
Step 7
Place an odor absorbers or odor neutralizers like Oust or Febreeze near the source of the odor. These products are made to eliminate the smell and not just simply mask it. You may consider placing natural odor absorbers like a bowl of un-brewed coffee grounds, baking soda, sliced onions, bowl of vinegar or activated charcoal. Natural odor absorbers may be required to sit overnight.
Step 8
Place a mint freshener or some crushed mint leaves in the car as it is a natural mice deterrent and keeps them away.
References
Things You'll Need
- Gloves
- HEPA mask
- 1 1/2 cup household bleach
- 5 cups water
- Spray bottle
- Plastic Bag
- Disinfectant cleaner
- Water
- Cloth
- Vacuum cleaner
- Vinegar
- Odor absorber or neutralizer
- Mint freshener or crushed leaves
Writer Bio
Tom Don has been a freelance writer and editor since 2005. He covers topics such as small business, health and fitness for various online publications. Don holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration and Master of Science in website administration from Johns Hopkins University.
