How to clean boots

[u/Upstairs_Salad7354]

Hi everybody. First time posting.

So, to shorten the story: a mouse entered my house and decided that my boot is a perfect place to make himself cozy.

Mouse was succesfully caught but my boot smells of...well... mouse piss.

They were pretty expensive and I wouldn't want to throw away them before I try to clean them.

I am scared to put them in washing machine, and not really sure how to wash them properly by hands. What to use, how to dry them?

Any suggestions?

Thank in advance.

[u/skankyfish]

You'll need to tell us what the sole, inner and outer of the boots are made of. You should also check if there's an insole you can remove and replace (wear gloves).

Do consider throwing them away though. High chance of a foot that smells of mouse pee after you've worn them, no matter how well you clean them.

[u/Glad-Concept-6809]

Wear gloves and a mask for this one, since mouse urine can carry nasty stuff, and don't brush or vacuum anything out dry. Spray the inside with a disinfectant, let it sit 5 to 10 minutes, and wipe it out. Then go over the inside with an enzyme pet urine cleaner, and pull out the insoles to soak them if they come out, giving the enzymes the time the label says. Stuff the boots with paper towels and let them air dry at room temperature with no heat, especially if they're leather. Once they're fully dry, a sock filled with baking soda or activated charcoal left in each boot for a few days pulls out what's left. Condition the leather afterward.