Does Irish Spring Soap Keep Mice Away? (Find Out Now!)

Whether you’ve already spotted some rodents in your home or you want to proactively deter them from getting into your house, you may find yourself searching the web for the best way to keep mice away. With so many solutions and methods to choose from, it’s important that you choose the option that is best for you and your individual situation. While Irish Spring soap is meant to be used to wash your body, many claim that it can repel mice, which brings us to the big question – “Does Irish Spring soap keep mice away?”

The ongoing theory seems to be that the smell of Irish Spring soap is so powerful that it can actually drive mice away. However, the jury’s still out. While there is a pretty large community of RVers that swear by this method, others say that it does no good whatsoever. Regardless, no one has yet to provide any evidence to say that Irish Spring does, in fact, keep mice away.

The origin if this theory that Irish Spring soap can deter mice is not totally clear. However, it most likely began after a few people initially tried it and then assumed that it was effective. Believe it or not, Irish Spring soap is still considered by many to be an accepted mouse repellent – especially those a part of the RV community. More specifically, they say that placing the soap in areas where the mice may inhabit can keep them away.

However, there are just as many, if not more, people who do not subscribe to the Irish Spring theory. With people that are both for and against using Irish Spring soap to keep mice away, what is the correct answer? Let’s take a deeper look.

Put simply, evidence suggests that Irish Spring soap DOES NOT remove mice or repel them from your home. This has to do with the fact that there is no evidence that the soap is the cause for someone’s abrupt mouse repellent success. Even with a lack of evidence, there are still people that insist on this method’s effectiveness.

Proponents of the Irish Spring claim assert that only the Original Irish Spring scent is effective. All other scents, including Icy Blast or Irish Spring with Aloe, do not work. They also claim that you have to use the soap in bar form (not gel) and to achieve the best results, the soap has to be grated or shaved into small pieces. However, it’s important to keep in mind that there is no evidence that any variation of this method is effective at keeping mice away.

In order to authenticate this method, there has to be hard evidence that the soap is the direct cause of repelling the mice. Currently, there is no evidence that supports this claim and many have reported that the mice have nibbled on the Irish Spring. With that said, it’s possible that mice are actually attracted to the fresh scent of Irish Spring, rather than repulsed by it.

There have been several reports of mice actually eating bar soap, Irish Spring and otherwise. Ultimately, whether or not mice will eat soap depends on the ingredients. Some soaps contain an animal fat, known as ‘tallow,’ that mice are known to munch on. There are also other food ingredients that may be found in soap and edible to mice. So, before you try using soap to repel mice, always read the ingredients on the label.

Additionally, there are some types of soaps and detergents that may be appealing to mice but then act as a poison once consumed. One individual claimed that they found a dead mouse next to their container of laundry detergent pods, and teeth marks in a pod nearby. Even with this report and others, it is still uncertain whether or not mice eat soap, if there are only a few types of mice that do, and if there are certain brands of soap that are more appealing to the pests than others.

Peppermint oil is a widely accepted method for deterring mice in the home. Studies show that rodents do not like the minty scent of the oil and will try to avoid it by any means necessary. Infusing this scent into your home is, therefore, an effective natural way to keep mice away.

How do you use peppermint oil to keep mice away?

Studies suggest that peppermint oil is more successful at repelling mice when used daily and in high doses. Try putting a liberal amount of peppermint oil onto cotton balls and put them in areas where the mice are most likely to congregate – such as behind furniture, in crawl spaces, and behind cupboards.

Eucalyptus oil is another essential oil that has been proven to have strong repellent effects on mice and rats. In generally, when applied around the home, it can help reduce the likelihood of a rodent infestation.

How do you use eucalyptus oil to keep mice away?

Create an easy, DIY eucalyptus oil spray by combining two teaspoons of pure eucalyptus oil, one cup of water, and a few drops of liquid detergent. Place this solution in a spray bottle, mix well, and spray it in areas of your home where mice are likely to frequent. To keep the scent fresh and the mice away, repeat the process at least once a week.

Cedarwood oil is not only known to be toxic to rodents, it also has an aromatic, woodsy odor that is unpleasant to them. It serves as another essential oil that can be used around the home to make it smell undesirable to mice, and hopefully prevent them from even coming inside in the first place.

How do you use cedarwood oil to keep mice away?

An effective way to use cedar to repel mice is to procure some cedar chips. Place the chips around the outside of your home, particularly around garbage cans, to deter mice. As a plus, cedar is a natural deodorizer so it will keep your trash smelling nice to human noses.

Chili oil is commonly known to cause irritation when inhaled or ingested. It is believed that these undesirable effects are strong enough to help keep mice away if inhaled. Studies done by Chulalongkorn University revealed that natural fragrances, like chili, repel mice from coming back to the lure. Therefore, chili oil or powder may be an effective method for keeping mice out and away from your home.

How do you use chili oil or powder to keep mice away?

One easy way to try this method is to scatter cayenne pepper outside of your home, paying special attention to areas where the mice may be able to gain entry. This includes drains and other cracks and holes. You can also apply the cayenne pepper anywhere the mice tend to gather inside your home.