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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Rat party on a high chair

73 replies

Pinkchicken85 · 18/02/2022 11:01

Hello all! Thought I’d post here as I don’t know if I’m being over the top or not. We’re not that flush at the moment so could really do without another expense.
When we moved into our new house a few months ago I put our high chair into the shed in the garden. Fast forward to today when I went to get it to clean it I noticed rat crap on it Blush and a bit of mould... maybe some pee else where too... basically the neighbourhood rats have been using it as a playground. Regretting not covering it... oh well you live and learn.

I’m very inclined to get rid, as I think bleach can only do so much. My husband thinks we can clean it and use it.

So tell me
No: I’m not being unreasonable, rat excrement and mould are hard to totally get rid off and a baby will eating off that surface.

Yes; your being unreasonable, just give it a good wash and bleach.

OP posts:
Burgoo · 18/02/2022 11:42

"This is freaking me out. What sort of street?"

Sorry but rats and mice are everywhere. They predict (so I read somewhere) that in in towns and cities (including residential areas) there is likely to be a rat/mouse within 6 feet of you at any time. Often underground, in lofts, sheds, walls etc. I can hear something scratching away in the loft space but we can't quite locate it.

As for the answer it depends. I am not scraping the barrel financially so I'd just go and get a cheap new one. However if I was strapped for cash I would still be a little wary of cleaning it as you can't quite tell how clean you can get things. If it was wooden I'd get rid right away. Plastic, I'd pour boiling water over the whole thing. Soak it in bleach and the alcohol gel it at the end! But then I am a little concerned about hideous diseases you get off animals. Ironically with my 2 year old its a two second rule for things dropped!

Gigiswitch · 18/02/2022 11:42

Would you be happy eating your dinner off a plate you knew rats had deficated all over?

Happy for your DC to do the same?

Personally I'd get rid.

Cognoscenti · 18/02/2022 11:45

I live rurally, no stranger to rats, and I'd bin it.

HighlandCowbag · 18/02/2022 11:45

Fuck that OP, rats are full of disease.

Make your husband a sarnie and serve it to him using the high chair. Make sure you sprinkle crisps on the seat and smear his yoghurt around it for him to lick off.

When he says no, cos rats piss just remind him that's how your baby will use it.

JustWonderingIfYou · 18/02/2022 11:46

Those chicco high chairs are so dated anyway, chuck it put and get a nice modern one. Upright not reclined, easy clean not fabric coated in plastic.

pickingdaisies · 18/02/2022 11:46

Oh God no, couldn't use it. Rats may be everywhere but they are not in my kitchen weeing on the table and pooing on my plates. And mould - it's a bugger to get rid of.

Original poster
Pinkchicken85 · 18/02/2022 11:46

@Classicblunder yea, that’s got me written all over it. To be fair he is working 6 day weeks at the moment. Not a lot of time to scrub a ridiculously huge high chair.

OP posts:
3luckystars · 18/02/2022 11:46

Absolutely no way is it ok to use it again.

Comedycook · 18/02/2022 11:48

Get rid of it! I'd rather sit my baby in their buggy to eat or on a big plastic mat on the floor

Original poster
Pinkchicken85 · 18/02/2022 11:49

@HighlandCowbag 😂 that’s hilarious.

OP posts:
Atsoc · 18/02/2022 11:51

Obviously get rid of it!

Jamnation · 18/02/2022 11:52

It would probably be ok, but you're going to hate it every time you use it/clean it/clean under it/bang into it/clap eyes on it. Replace it, your feelings matter too.

Classicblunder · 18/02/2022 11:53

[quote Pinkchicken85]@Classicblunder yea, that’s got me written all over it. To be fair he is working 6 day weeks at the moment. Not a lot of time to scrub a ridiculously huge high chair.[/quote]
If he isn't the one cleaning it, it's not his decision

Alfixn · 18/02/2022 11:53

No, no, no. The mould is as dangerous as any of the rest of it and impossible to get rid of. Maybe (and only maybe) if it was wooden, but plastic and fabric, no way.

How many people here would honestly clean a highchair like that an then be happy to put their own sandwich down on the surface between bites. Seriously?!

Also, would you be happy if your parents disclosed to you that your highchair was like that as a baby and they used it anyway?

Would you be happy if you visited a restaurant and a tv show later exposed their plates etc to have been contaminated on the same way and then later reused?

Wouldn't think so.

milkyaqua · 18/02/2022 11:54

There are some really nasty diseases that are spread by rat urine and faeces. Leptospirosis, Salmonelosis, for starters.

SockFluffInTheBath · 18/02/2022 11:57

@Pinkchicken85

Size *@SockFluffInTheBath*
Bleuegh, I vote bin then sorry.
whoruntheworldgirls · 18/02/2022 11:59

@statetrooperstacey

I would put it out in the garden and thoroughly spray it with your cleaner of choice , then scrub it, then I would pour kettle after kettle after kettle of boiling water all over it, over the hinges, screw holes etc and make sure it gets in everywhere . Then let it dry and see how it looks and you feel. I would probably use it if I’d done the above .
I second this.
NotMyselfWithoutCoffee · 18/02/2022 12:04

I wouldn't clean it, I would buy a new one personally.
Depends how dear your finances are but you can get cheap highchairs off argos, IKEA etc.

Original poster
Pinkchicken85 · 18/02/2022 12:05

Thanks everyone for your replies, I’ve decided I’m going to stick with my gut on this one and get rid of that biohazard. I bought it second hand for my first child anyway so I feel less wasteful.

But everyone’s tips on cleaning the next one I eventually do buy will be used too.

The thought of my little boy’s chubby hands taking food of it makes my stomach turn.

OP posts:
NorthDowns · 18/02/2022 12:07

Get rid, not a hope in hell would I use that 🤮

yoyo1234 · 18/02/2022 12:10

I would say depends on highchair. We were brought an expensive one (padded seat/stitching etc) it was awful to clean . We got rid of and brought the cheap IKEA one . Perfect can clean anything off it Smile, that one I could throughly disinfect and feel happy with.

yoyo1234 · 18/02/2022 12:12

Go for cheap and hygienicGrin

MrsMiddleMother · 18/02/2022 12:13

God no I'd definitely get a new one.

Hobbesmanc · 18/02/2022 12:20

We had mice get into our kitchen cupboards and even up into the drawers . Mouse wee and poo presumably over everything. Didn't occur to me to throw all my cutlery and crockery out.

Bit for the sake of £15 quid I might just get a new one anyway

NudieUnderTheOodie · 18/02/2022 12:20

@HighlandCowbag

Fuck that OP, rats are full of disease.

Make your husband a sarnie and serve it to him using the high chair. Make sure you sprinkle crisps on the seat and smear his yoghurt around it for him to lick off.

When he says no, cos rats piss just remind him that's how your baby will use it.

This.

You can get the IKEA highchair on amazon for £27 or similar ones for £30 or so.