Safety Guide
How to clean mouse droppings without getting hantavirus
The CDC estimates most hantavirus cases in the US are caused by inhaling virus from disturbed rodent droppings. How you clean matters more than what you clean with. Follow this protocol exactly.
Never sweep or vacuum mouse droppings
This is the single most important rule. Sweeping and vacuuming launch dried hantavirus particles into the air. Once airborne, the virus can be inhaled and cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which has a 36% fatality rate. Always wet droppings with bleach first.
Step-by-step cleanup protocol
Ventilate the area
Open all windows and doors. Leave the space for at least 30 minutes before entering. This allows fresh air to dilute any airborne virus particles. Do not turn on fans, which can stir up contaminated dust.
Put on protective gear
Wear rubber, latex, or vinyl gloves. Wear an N95 respirator mask (not a surgical mask). Safety goggles are recommended if cleaning large infestations. Wear long sleeves and clothes you can wash immediately after.
Spray with bleach solution
Mix 1 part bleach to 10 parts water in a spray bottle. Thoroughly soak all droppings, urine stains, and nesting materials. Let the solution sit for at least 5 minutes. The bleach kills the virus on contact.
Wipe up with paper towels
Pick up soaked droppings and debris with paper towels. Work from the outside edges inward. Never sweep with a broom or vacuum. Sweeping and vacuuming launch virus particles into the air where they can be inhaled.
Double-bag all waste
Place contaminated paper towels, gloves, and debris into a plastic bag. Seal it, then place that bag inside a second bag. Dispose in an outdoor trash container. Do not compress the bags.
Disinfect the entire area
Spray the bleach solution over the entire floor, countertop, or surface where droppings were found. Wipe down. For carpet, use a commercial disinfectant or steam cleaner. Mop hard floors with the bleach solution.
Clean up and wash
Remove gloves and mask last. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Shower and change clothes. Wash contaminated clothing in hot water with detergent.
What NOT to do
✗ Sweeping with a broom
Launches dried virus particles into the air. This is the most common cause of hantavirus exposure during cleanup.
✗ Vacuuming
Even HEPA-filtered vacuums can exhaust virus particles. The agitation alone is enough to aerosolize the virus from dried droppings.
✗ Touching droppings with bare hands
The virus can enter through small cuts or when you touch your face. Always wear gloves.
✗ Cleaning without ventilation
Enclosed spaces concentrate airborne virus. The 30-minute ventilation step is not optional.
Supplies you need
- • N95 respirator mask
- • Rubber or latex gloves
- • Household bleach
- • Spray bottle
- • Paper towels
- • Plastic bags (for double-bagging)
- • Safety goggles (large infestations)
- • Mop and bucket