How to Remove the Smell of Rat Urine from Car Air Conditioning?
3 Answers
If there is an unpleasant odor in the car, you can use the fragrance of fruits to mask and absorb the odor inside the vehicle. This method is a relatively direct way to eliminate odors in the car. Activated charcoal has excellent adsorption properties and can absorb various gaseous, colloidal, and particulate pollutants in the air. An air purifier is a highly effective method for removing odors.
I also had the smell of mouse urine in my car before—turning on the AC released a terrible stench, which was unbearable. I asked a friend for advice, and he first suggested checking the cabin air filter. It’s located under the glove compartment on the passenger side. Upon removing it, sure enough, there were mouse droppings and urine residue. I quickly replaced it with a new filter, then sprayed AC cleaner inside and ran the system on external circulation for a few minutes. The smell improved significantly. My friend also mentioned that mice might crawl in through the undercarriage ducts, so it’s best to avoid parking near bushes or garbage piles. Regularly cleaning up food crumbs inside the car can help deter them. After trying this for a week, the odor was mostly gone, and driving became much more pleasant. If possible, using an ozone disinfection machine is even more thorough, as it effectively kills bacteria. Always pay attention to your car’s condition—prevention is better than cure.
As a seasoned driver with years of experience, I know all too well that air conditioning odors should be addressed early. The smell of mouse urine is usually caused by rodents urinating in the AC evaporator or ducts. My advice is to first replace the cabin air filter—it's inexpensive but crucial. Then, remove the air intake and thoroughly rinse the evaporator with professional AC cleaning solution, ensuring no spots are missed. For stubborn odors, it's best to visit a dealership for ozone disinfection or deep cleaning with steam flushing tools. Don't forget to check the vehicle's sealing to prevent future rodent invasions. I've seen similar cases at repair shops where delayed treatment led to system corrosion or health issues. Regular car washes and avoiding parking in damp areas can significantly reduce the risk.
