To disinfect your oven, first spray a solution of bleach and water, and remove any droppings. Once removed, you can apply rubbing alcohol and then finish the sanitizing process with a vinegar and baking soda solution.
No one wants to have mice in their home but for many people, it’s an unfortunate reality. These little rodents will forage in any place where they can find food, and one of those places can be the oven.
Mice are a nuisance and many people are scared of them but the problem can be a serious one. These little creatures can carry many diseases which is why it’s vitally important to sanitize your home after they have gone.
This is especially true of any area where you prepare or cook food. This may lead you to the question of how to disinfect your oven after mice? Well if you follow the info we have for you here, your oven will be safe to use in no time at all. Let’s find out more!
Taking the First Steps
First of all, you should open your kitchen doors and windows to ventilate the room. Mice droppings can carry airborne diseases, such as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) or hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS).
While cleaning up after mice, it’s best to wear both gloves and a mask to minimize yourself from any exposure.
How to Sanitize an Oven
Disconnect your oven from the power supply and then spray any droppings and/or urine with a mixture of bleach and water. The best ratio is one part bleach to 10 parts water. Let it soak for 5 minutes.
With rubber or latex gloves on, use a paper towel to pick up the droppings, never handle mice waste with your bare hands. Discard it properly, ideally securing the waste in an airtight plastic bag. Then wipe the surfaces with a clean, damp cloth.
After that, soak another clean cloth with rubbing alcohol (70%) and wipe the whole oven. It will help remove most of the pathogens, germs, and unpleasant odors.
Now you have to disinfect the oven. Mix water with some white vinegar and baking soda. Dissolve it well and scrub your oven with this solution. Make sure to use a toothbrush or a soft brush. Leave it for 20 minutes then wipe it off with a clean, damp cloth.
At this point, your oven will be clean, safe, and odorless. Yet, if some smell remains you can turn your oven on. Any temperature above 100ºC (212ºF) will kill bacteria. Leave it on for a few minutes until the smell goes away.
Prevent It From Happening Again
Mice are naturally attracted to food, easy food. So you have to make sure that your kitchen is thoroughly clean to keep them away.
Develop good hygiene habits such as not leaving crumbs or pieces lying on the floor, countertops, or on the stove surface. Clean up after every time you cook food.
Peppermint oil is a powerful ally in your fight against mice. It’s a well-known fact that this essential oil repels mice.
You can either dab it on cotton balls and leave them around your kitchen or you can dilute two teaspoons of oil in a cup of water and spray it around potential spots.
Still, the oil alone won’t be enough. You have to be proactive. The most important thing is trying to identify where the mice might be entering your house. If you’re worried they are still present, you can lay down some traps.
You can also mouse-proof your oven. Block every entrance to the oven with some aluminum foil or steel wool. If you do that, it will be harder for the vermin to get inside.
After all this, you should be good to go. However, if you are still finding evidence of mice in your residence, it might be time to contact a professional exterminator.
FAQs On how to disinfect oven after mice
How can I be sure if there are mice in my oven?
You’ll start to see mouse droppings, hair, or a strong smell.
Can I get sick from mouse droppings?
Yes, you can. Mice can transmit lots of diseases and you should thoroughly disinfect any surfaces.
What are the first signs of hantavirus?
A feeling of fatigue along with fever and muscle aches.
