What to wash after a rat? - briefly
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, and disinfect any surfaces, cages, or equipment that contacted the animal. Also launder clothing or gloves used during handling.
What to wash after a rat? - in detail
After handling a rodent, thorough decontamination prevents the spread of pathogens and eliminates odors. The following items require immediate cleaning:
- Hands and forearms: wash with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, then apply an alcohol‑based sanitizer.
- Clothing worn during the encounter: launder in hot water (≥ 60 °C) with detergent; add a disinfectant booster if available.
- Footwear: scrub soles with a brush, rinse, and spray with a quaternary ammonium solution; allow to air‑dry.
- Gloves and protective gear: dispose of single‑use gloves; for reusable gear, rinse, then soak in a 0.5 % bleach solution for 10 minutes before washing.
- Work surfaces (bench, cage cleaning area, countertops): wipe with a disposable cloth soaked in a 1 % bleach solution, let sit for 5 minutes, then rinse with clean water.
- Tools (tweezers, scissors, cages, water bottles): immerse in a 0.1 % detergent solution, scrub, rinse, and disinfect with a 70 % isopropyl alcohol spray or a 0.5 % bleach solution.
- Cage components (bars, lids, food trays): soak in a 1 % bleach solution for 10 minutes, scrub, rinse thoroughly, and dry before reuse.
- Waste containers: empty contents, wash interior with detergent, rinse, and apply a disinfectant spray; allow to dry before refilling.
Additional precautions include:
- Use disposable absorbent pads on work surfaces; replace after each session.
- Store disinfectants in clearly labeled containers, keep them out of reach of pets and children.
- Perform a final visual inspection to confirm no residue remains on any cleaned item.
Following this protocol eliminates microbial contamination, reduces the risk of disease transmission, and maintains a hygienic environment for future handling.