How to Get Rid of the Dead Mouse Smell in Your House, According to a Pro Cleaner

Shortly after my husband and I moved into our current place, I noticed a tiny mouse on the steps of the shared stairs in my building. The landlord was trying to get rid of the mice, but as it turns out, that single mouse was part of a larger group of mice living in the building, including one hiding in a small access hole by our dining room radiator. 

That poor mouse’s fate was sealed as soon as my cat laid eyes on it, and we returned from a weeklong vacation to a dead mouse in the dining room. At that point, our question turned from “how to get rid of mice” to “how to get rid of the dead mouse smell.”

Luckily, we knew where the dead mouse was — it was in the middle of the dining room, right where our cat had caught it and lost interest in it — but if you can smell a dead mouse but don’t know where it is, here’s how you can locate it, according to Elizabeth Shields, the operations manager of Super Cleaning Service Louisville. 

Check all the usual spots a mouse would hide, like behind appliances, under furniture, in the cabinets, and in basements, garages, and attics. “Be observant by paying attention to where the smell is the strongest,” she says. “That’s a good sign you’re getting closer to the source.”

You should also look for telltale mouse signs, like droppings, grease marks, chewed up materials or baseboards, and small entry holes. If you can’t see in a certain area, Shields suggests using a flashlight or mirror, or becoming more of a detective with a thermal camera or stethoscope.

First things first: Get rid of the mouse! Put on gloves and a mask, pick up the carcass with a plastic bag (or any sort of disposable tool), and then double- or triple-bag it. You’ll throw it away outside with the rest of the garbage you use from cleaning the spot. Now, tackle the lingering smell with those gloves and mask still on!

• Gloves
• Mask
• Bleach
• Water
• Paper towel
• Enzyme cleaner
• Activated charcoal, baking soda, or coffee grounds
• Mixture of equal parts water and vinegar (optional)

1. Disinfect the area. Spray the area with a bleach solution of one part bleach to 10 parts water. Let it sit first for at least 10 minutes, then wipe with a paper towel to remove any leftover organic bits. Don’t forget to wipe around nearby edges of holes or furniture to catch any residue that might be lingering.
2. Neutralize musty odors. Once everything is cleaned, spray with an enzyme cleaner to break down bacteria and neutralize the odor. Aside from using the enzyme cleaner, place activated charcoal, baking soda, or coffee grounds around the freshly cleaned area to absorb any remaining odors. Another option is to mist a solution of equal parts water and vinegar.
3. Ventilate the area. Crack open some windows and turn on a few fans to get fresh air flowing. It’ll help clear out any leftover smell faster.
4. Dispose properly. Toss the bagged carcass and any contaminated used materials. Place them outdoors for proper disposal.

If you know where the dead mouse is in your wall, grab a drywall saw and cut a small hole around the area. Follow the removal and cleaning process outlined above, then patch up the hole with a patch kit. If you don’t know where the mouse is, follow the smell of decay. You’ll find it in the area with the strongest scent.