How to Clean Books With Mouse Droppings

Remove mouse droppings from books.

Finding an old book in an estate sale or in the back of a forgotten drawer is like finding treasure -- finding it covered in mouse droppings is not! Fortunately, cleanup is simple, and these easy steps can be followed to disinfect just about anything.

Things You'll Need

• Rubber gloves
• Dust mask
• Safety goggles
• Trash bag
• Small cup
• 1 tbsp. Bleach
• 9 tbsp. water
• Spoon
• Soft cotton cloth

Instructions

1. The Center for Disease Control recommends that you ventilate the area before cleaning. Open the doors and windows at least 30 minutes beforehand to diffuse potentially infectious aerosolized material in the room.

2. Cover hands and face with protective gear. Rubber kitchen gloves or latex gloves will protect hands, and a simple dust mask and safety goggles will protect your face.

3. Place the book on a large trash sack to catch any droppings or debris as you clean.

4. Mix 1 tbsp. of bleach with 9 tbsp. of water in a small cup.

5. Stir the mixture gently with a spoon.

6. Dip the corner of the soft cloth in the mixture and squeeze any excess liquid back into the cup.

7. Gently rub the cover of the book with the bleach mixture, working in small sections until the exterior of the cover has been cleaned.

8. Lightly rub the edges of the pages of the closed book with the bleach and water solution on a slightly damp cloth. Take care not to saturate the pages while removing dust and droppings.

9. Throw away trash sack, gloves and mask.

10. Thoroughly wash hands with soap and warm water.

Tips & Warnings

• The Center for Disease Control recommends that you wash gloved hands with soap and water before removing them.

• Mouse urine and droppings can carry diseases.

References

• Center For Disease Control