What should you wash after dealing with mice? - briefly
Wash your hands, any exposed skin, and all surfaces, utensils, or clothing that may have contacted the rodents with hot, soapy water. Use a disinfectant solution afterward to ensure complete decontamination.
What should you wash after dealing with mice? - in detail
After handling rodents, every surface that contacted the animal must be decontaminated. Begin with personal hygiene: wash hands thoroughly with warm water and antibacterial soap for at least 20 seconds, scrubbing under nails and between fingers. Rinse and dry with a clean towel.
Clothing worn during the encounter requires laundering. Separate the garments from other laundry, use the hottest temperature the fabric permits, add a disinfecting agent such as chlorine bleach (for whites) or a commercial laundry sanitizer, and run a full wash cycle. Dry on high heat to eliminate residual pathogens.
Protective equipment—gloves, masks, shoe covers—should be either disposable or cleaned immediately. Disposable items are discarded in a sealed, biohazard‑rated bag. Reusable gear is soaked in a solution of 1 % sodium hypochlorite for 10 minutes, rinsed with clean water, and air‑dried.
Tools and instruments used to capture or examine the mouse, such as traps, cages, or tweezers, must be immersed in a disinfectant (e.g., 70 % isopropyl alcohol or a quaternary ammonium compound) for the manufacturer‑recommended contact time, then rinsed and dried. If the equipment is metal, a soak in a diluted bleach solution followed by thorough rinsing is effective.
All surfaces in the work area—countertops, floors, shelves, and containers—should be wiped with a detergent‑based cleaner, then sprayed with an EPA‑registered disinfectant. Allow the disinfectant to remain wet for the specified dwell time (usually 5–10 minutes) before wiping dry.
If any food or water containers were opened or touched, empty them, wash with hot, soapy water, rinse, and sanitize with a food‑safe disinfectant. Replace any consumables that cannot be adequately cleaned.
Finally, dispose of any waste material (e.g., bedding, droppings) in a sealed bag, place it in an outdoor trash container, and sanitize the exterior of the bag with a disinfectant wipe. This comprehensive washing protocol minimizes the risk of disease transmission after mouse contact.