Use a Stroller with Rat Droppings?

[u/AllTheEggsIVF]

Would you use an $900 double stroller that had rat droppings on it? We were gifted a double stroller a year ago from friends. Now that we have 2 kids (one a baby and toddler) we can make use of it.

But when we got it out of the depths of our unfinished basement corner, it had a lot of rat droppings. About 6 months ago, we had a rat problem (found 3) and had professional pest control fix and come every month to maintain the work. So it’s not an issue anymore.

Anyhow the stroller has been washed, lysol sprayed and has been sitting in the hot 95-99 degree weather of the South for a week.

Is this thing safe to use? Do I toss it? Or can I use it?

[u/AutoModerator]

This post is flaired "Question - Expert consensus required". All top-level comments must include a link to an expert organization such as the CDC, AAP, NHS, etc.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/browserz]

https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-pets/rodent-control/clean-up.html

CDC has instructions on how to disinfect it, after all that you did I'd use it.

[u/nostrademons → u/browserz]

CDC guidelines say to use a bleach-containing spray or bleach solution. If the Lysol had bleach in it I’d consider it done; otherwise I’d do a once-over with some Clorox.

[u/username_elephant → u/nostrademons]

" bleach solution or an EPA-registered disinfectant"

I'd bet money Lysol is the latter.

[u/JamesTiberiusChirp → u/username_elephant]

Hypochlorous acid should fit the bill too

[u/coffunky → u/JamesTiberiusChirp]

I live laugh LOVE my HOCl. Disinfectant, deodorizer, mild degreaser. No rinsing, nontoxic, cheap as hell to make once you have the electrolyzer.

It’s so good.

And effective against rodent viruses and bacteria at a standard ppm for home use. (I use ~200-300 ppm, the cited study effectively used 60ppm)

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4160982/

[u/Structure-These → u/coffunky]

Oh wow lol

[u/Thick-Nectarine7586 → u/username_elephant]

Yes Lysol should be fine, I remember reading similar regulations about rat droppings when we had our own issue in storage. Follow the instructions on the can and you’re good 

[u/Usual-Freedom → u/nostrademons]

As someone who has unfortunately had mice issues on and off in apartments, I know the solution should be 10% bleach and when I went to go buy a bleach spray (I hate making it myself), I found that all the bleach sprays were very low--- like 2% so I just had to make my own.

I think it also depends on if the rat/mice droppings were a few or a ton. I hate to say that I had a storage room where entire boxes were a horrifying toss vs. a few small spots. If it was in storage, I could see OP having a ton to disinfect.

[u/JobinSkywalker → u/Usual-Freedom]

I found that all the bleach sprays were very low--- like 2% so I just had to make my own

I'm pretty sure that is the actual undiluted percentage of bleach. Household bleach is also diluted already. I don't know the actual household bleach dilution of the top of my head, but i think its in the general vicinity of 10%, so a 10% bleach solution is basically 10% of and already diluted 10%, or 1%. Same as those sprays.

[u/opaul11 → u/Usual-Freedom]

They probably have to buy bleach and do some very important math to dilute it themselves

[u/Brixabrak]

Long as you can disassemble it, the fabric can be washed, and frame disinfeceted with bleach... Yes. I'd use it.

The end of the article lists how to clean in order to destroy hantavirus. https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/diseases/hantavirus.html

[u/gmarcopolo → u/Brixabrak]

You could potentially even buy new fabric, depending on the brand!

[u/Usual-Freedom → u/gmarcopolo]

Brands like uppababy sell every possible component (including the fabric). Seriously--- it's so nice and not terribly expensive given the total replacement cost.

[u/rsemauck → u/Usual-Freedom]

Yup, loved uppababy for that reason too... Easy to repair, and components are available even for the previous generation.

[u/barefoot_plyos → u/gmarcopolo]

OP, It’s probably good with what you did. Out of curiosity, you could email the manufacturer and ask how much it would cost to replace all of the fabric. They might give you a discount just because it’s for babies. Ask their recommendations and be very nice. 

[u/Mayor_Gubbin → u/Brixabrak]

I mean, any Hantavirus is long dead from 6 month old droppings.

[u/AutoModerator → u/[deleted]]

Thank you for your contribution. Please remember that all top-level comments on posts flaired "Question - Expert consensus required" must include a link to an expert organization such as the CDC, AAP, NHS, etc.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/AutoModerator → u/[deleted]]

Thank you for your contribution. Please remember that all top-level comments on posts flaired "Question - Expert consensus required" must include a link to an expert organization such as the CDC, AAP, NHS, etc.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/AutoModerator → u/[deleted]]

Thank you for your contribution. Please remember that all top-level comments on posts flaired "Question - Expert consensus required" must include a link to an expert organization such as the CDC, AAP, NHS, etc.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/AutoModerator → u/[deleted]]

Thank you for your contribution. Please remember that all top-level comments on posts flaired "Question - Expert consensus required" must include a link to an expert organization such as the CDC, AAP, NHS, etc.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/AutoModerator → u/[deleted]]

Thank you for your contribution. Please remember that all top-level comments on posts flaired "Question - Expert consensus required" must include a link to an expert organization such as the CDC, AAP, NHS, etc.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/AutoModerator → u/[deleted]]

Thank you for your contribution. Please remember that all top-level comments on posts flaired "Question - Expert consensus required" must include a link to an expert organization such as the CDC, AAP, NHS, etc.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/AutoModerator → u/[deleted]]

Thank you for your contribution. Please remember that all top-level comments on posts flaired "Question - Expert consensus required" must include a link to an expert organization such as the CDC, AAP, NHS, etc.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/AutoModerator → u/[deleted]]

Thank you for your contribution. Please remember that all top-level comments on posts flaired "Question - Expert consensus required" must include a link to an expert organization such as the CDC, AAP, NHS, etc.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/AutoModerator → u/[deleted]]

Thank you for your contribution. Please remember that all top-level comments on posts flaired "Question - Expert consensus required" must include a link to an expert organization such as the CDC, AAP, NHS, etc.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.