To use these Christmas decorations?

[Realitea]

We kept all the decorations in the garage as we moved house and couldn’t get in to the loft.
As I was sorting through them, a RAT jumped out I then saw rat poo in the bottom of the Christmas tree box. Loads and loads of it. I feel like crying.
I don’t have much money. I’ve ordered another tree but can’t afford to replace all those decorations I’ve spent years collecting.
Would I be unreasonable to soak them in diluted disinfectant and with an extra spray of dettol, keep them? Or will we all be horrendously ill?

Absolutely fine just give them a really good wash.

Just clean them as you suggest. You'll be fine. It'd be such a waste to throw them out. Wear disposable gloves while you clean them.

I'd wash and sterilise what you can with anti-bac (wipes may be gentler?) and Milton fluid or a steam cleaner.

Anything that couldn't be washed I think I'd have to get rid.

I’ll do it! Maybe fill the bath full of zoflora and hot water and then give the bath a good clean after. I love Milton but does it bleach things?

A bath if Zoflora sounds like a dream !! Haha

Milton is good yes x

You just need to wash them. I think soap and water are best. Don't soak, wash with a soapy cloth and warm water. How will you wash your hands after handling them and will your hands be clean?

My mum found some mice had been at the decorations some years ago and cleaned them all with something similar to Milton, sprayed with antib cleaner after and left to dry. They still have odd nibble marks but are in use decade's later due to their similar sentimental value and years of collecting! Definately clean and keep OP, unless you're planning on eating them (and even then after cleaning) you'll be just fine promise!

Warm soapy water is fine to clean them.

You wouldn’t want so flora on them near the heat of the lights I don’t think?

This was a yearly tradition in our house growing up

Rats and mice probably touch loads of stuff that we don't even know about (even in shops and warehouses) so at least these are washed now

This happened to me a couple of years ago! They'd nibbled a lovely wreath I had for my door. I can't think it tasted very nice.
Don't chuck them. I just washed mine where possible with soapy water. I don't think you need to go crazy with bleach and disinfectant just wash your hands well after touching any droppings.

Going against the grain a bit here. I'd throw them.
I really couldn't be doing with rummaging through a box where rats live, and then starting to wash Christmas decorations.
Unless there is the odd one that has a huge amount of sentimental value, I'd have to throw them.
Have a really simple tree this year and start to build up again.

Jesus fucking Christ. The only sensible thing to do is burn your garage DOWN. Failing that, I guess disinfecting your decs could be ok

A mouse got into ours once, it died in there 🤢 we binned those bits and just kept the rest. I think rudolf looks better with half his nose chewed off! It just makes them more personal 😂 but yeah I’d definitely disinfect everything and put some traps down!