Steel wool’s been my go-to for plugging gaps too—mice just chew through everything else. I’d add that when you’re sealing up for winter, check under sinks and behind appliances for tiny holes you might miss. On the plumbing side, I always drain outdoor hoses and insulate any exposed pipes before it gets cold. That’s saved me a couple of times from burst pipes. As for musty denim, I’ve found that a vinegar rinse helps, but sometimes it’s just a lost cause...
Steel wool’s been my go-to for plugging gaps too—mice just chew through everything else. I’d add that when you’re sealing up for winter, check under sinks and behind appliances for tiny hol...
Funny you mention steel wool—my boss swears by it too, but I had a mouse once that somehow managed to push it out of the way. Maybe I just didn’t pack it tight enough? Anyway, totally agree about draining hoses. First winter on the job, I forgot one at my aunt’s place and the pipe split right at the bib. Learned that lesson quick... Now I always double-check those outside lines before it gets cold. As for musty denim, I’ve tried the vinegar trick but sometimes that smell just won’t quit.
- Steel wool only works if you really jam it in there—if there’s any wiggle room, mice will find a way. I’ve started mixing in a bit of caulk or spray foam behind the steel wool for extra hold, especially in bigger gaps.
- On hose bibs, I’ve seen too many split pipes from folks forgetting to drain them. Quick tip: those insulated faucet covers are cheap insurance, but only if you actually shut off and drain inside first.
- Musty denim... baking soda in the wash sometimes helps, but honestly, some smells just hang on forever.
Title: Winterizing Pipes and Mouse-Proofing – What’s Actually Worked for Me
Steel wool only works if you really jam it in there—if there’s any wiggle room, mice will find a way. I’ve started mixing in a bit of caulk or spray foam behind the steel wool for extra hold, especially in bigger gaps.
I’ve actually had mixed luck with spray foam + steel wool. Mice around here seem to chew right through the foam if there’s even a hint of a gap, and then you’re left with a mess. What’s worked better for me is shoving copper mesh in first (it doesn’t rust or break down like steel wool), then a dab of mortar if it’s a bigger hole. Might be overkill, but after finding mouse droppings in the kitchen for the third winter in a row, I stopped messing around.
On hose bibs, I’ll admit I’ve gambled and just used the covers a couple times without draining. Got lucky, but I wouldn’t recommend it—one bad freeze and you’re dealing with a burst pipe behind the wall. Not fun, especially if you find out in the spring.
Musty denim... yeah, sometimes it’s just time to retire those jeans.
- I get the copper mesh thing, but I’m always a little wary about using mortar or anything that’s not easily reversible. If you ever need to run a new cable or pipe, it’s a pain to chip out.
- For mouse-proofing, I’ve had some luck with just tightly packed hardware cloth (the metal mesh kind) and then sealing with eco-friendly caulk. No rust, no weird chemicals, and it’s easy to pull out if you need to.
- On hose bibs: I know the covers are tempting, but draining is just safer. I use the water from draining to water my winter plants—feels less wasteful that way.
- Old jeans? I cut them up for rags or garden ties... can’t bring myself to toss them unless they’re really gross.
