FREE TAPATALK APP

Deetee · 16th May 2011, 07:09 AM

I have noticed a distinct "mousey" odour when brushing my teeth in recent weeks. It's not my mouth (my first horrific thought) but it actually emanates from the rubbery part of my toothbrush. On checking other family members' similar toothbrushes, there is a similar odour. A dishwasher did not completely eliminate it.

There must be some type of chemical reaction going on between the rubber/plastic bit and something else, but what?

I have tried to look for a chemical formula or composition for "mouse odour" on the net, but my googlefu has failed.

I'm interested and would like to know if this is unique, or if others notice the same thing, and of course I want to know why, like every good scientist.

Advice/observations much appreciated.

Mojo · 16th May 2011, 07:23 AM

Application of Occam's razor suggests that it could be that you have mice messing with your toothbrushes.

Monketey Ghost · 16th May 2011, 07:24 AM

What do mice smell like? And don't say 'mice' or 'chicken'.

SonOfLaertes · 16th May 2011, 08:03 AM

Originally Posted by Monketey Ghost

What do mice smell like? And don't say 'mice' or 'chicken'.

I asked my cat, and he said that they smell delicious.

AvalonXQ · 16th May 2011, 08:06 AM

Probably ghosts.

Possibly mouse ghosts, but I'm skeptical.

Furcifer · 16th May 2011, 08:10 AM

Originally Posted by Deetee

I have noticed a distinct "mousey" odour when brushing my teeth in recent weeks. It's not my mouth (my first horrific thought) but it actually emanates from the rubbery part of my toothbrush. On checking other family members' similar toothbrushes, there is a similar odour. A dishwasher did not completely eliminate it.

There must be some type of chemical reaction going on between the rubber/plastic bit and something else, but what?

I have tried to look for a chemical formula or composition for "mouse odour" on the net, but my googlefu has failed.

I'm interested and would like to know if this is unique, or if others notice the same thing, and of course I want to know why, like every good scientist.

Advice/observations much appreciated.

I think of "mousey" as "moldy" or "musty", something like bad bread. Since the bathroom is the perfect place for it to grow it's not uncommon to find mildew and mold.

Best guess is you have mold somewhere around the sink or under it, most likely in the overflow, that's releasing spores that get stuck to your wet tooth brush. Try overflowing the sink and cleaning it out with some bleach.

Deetee · 16th May 2011, 08:35 AM

Originally Posted by Mojo

Application of Occam's razor suggests that it could be that you have mice messing with your toothbrushes.

My Gillette fusion^TM does smell a bit musty .....
I'll have to go next door to check out Mr Occam's.

William Parcher · 16th May 2011, 08:38 AM

Originally Posted by Deetee

I have tried to look for a chemical formula or composition for "mouse odour" on the net, but my googlefu has failed.

I'm interested and would like to know if this is unique, or if others notice the same thing, and of course I want to know why, like every good scientist.

Advice/observations much appreciated.

I presume that you are saying mouse odor because that's what it smells like to you, and not like "moldy" or "musty" which you probably also have smelled.

(House) mouse odor is unique and specific. I think it mostly derives from pheromones and is predominantly a male mouse odor. There actually is a lot of research on mouse pheromones and amines.

FWIW, rat odor is distinctly different than mouse odor. It's easy (for me at least) to determine the presence of either rats or mice with just a few sniffs.

Deetee · 16th May 2011, 08:51 AM

Originally Posted by William Parcher

I presume that you are saying mouse odor because that's what it smells like to you, and not like "moldy" or "musty" which you probably also have smelled.

(House) mouse odor is unique and specific. I think it mostly derives from pheromones and is predominantly a male mouse odor. There actually is a lot of research on mouse pheromones and amines.

FWIW, rat odor is distinctly different than mouse odor. It's easy (for me at least) to determine the presence of either rats or mice with just a few sniffs.

I say mouse because whenever we have a rare mouse infestation, I can smell it, and it is very distinctive - as you can since you can tell the difference between rodents.

It must be a unique chemical, but what?

Can some of you guys go smell your toothbrushes, and tell me what you find?

Professor Yaffle · 16th May 2011, 08:54 AM

My toothbrush just smells minty.

leon_heller · 16th May 2011, 08:56 AM

My Oral B PRO EXPERT CROSSACTION toothbrush just smells of mint, from the toothpaste.

Deetee · 16th May 2011, 08:57 AM

You guys/gals aren't rinsing them properly, are you?

Does anyone want to buy mine?

Furcifer · 16th May 2011, 09:01 AM

Originally Posted by Professor Yaffle

My toothbrush just smells minty.

Mine too, and strongly.

If it's that mouse smell, and not "mousy", I've wondered that as well. I think it's ammonia and rotting mouse guts, it always seems to get worse after laying down poison.

ria_rokz · 16th May 2011, 09:43 AM

At first, I thought my toothbrush smelled like defecation but my husband had just been in there. When I stepped into the hallway to smell them they smelled like mint.

What is your water like? I ask because ours was being treated extra heavily due to spring runoff. Perhaps there are other chemicals/minerals in yours?

Lucian · 16th May 2011, 02:31 PM

This is probably a silly question, but would it be prohibitively expensive to buy new toothbrushes that don't smell like mouse?

Emet · 16th May 2011, 02:52 PM

You have dentally hygienic mice in your house:

AdMan · 16th May 2011, 02:54 PM

Originally Posted by Emet

You have dentally hygienic mice in your house:

Skeptic Ginger · 16th May 2011, 03:12 PM

Originally Posted by Mojo

Application of Occam's razor suggests that it could be that you have mice messing with your toothbrushes.

Skeptic Ginger · 16th May 2011, 03:16 PM

Originally Posted by Deetee

I have noticed a distinct "mousey" odour when brushing my teeth in recent weeks. It's not my mouth (my first horrific thought) but it actually emanates from the rubbery part of my toothbrush. On checking other family members' similar toothbrushes, there is a similar odour. A dishwasher did not completely eliminate it.

There must be some type of chemical reaction going on between the rubber/plastic bit and something else, but what?

I have tried to look for a chemical formula or composition for "mouse odour" on the net, but my googlefu has failed.

I'm interested and would like to know if this is unique, or if others notice the same thing, and of course I want to know why, like every good scientist.

Advice/observations much appreciated.

Have you considered soaking the brush in a 10% bleach solution?

Odors often come from bacteria or fungal activity. The dishwasher might not be getting at the problem if a biofilm is involved.

Kid Eager · 16th May 2011, 03:30 PM

check your toothpaste for mouse infestation. Make sure you squeeze out the entire tube, because they could be hiding right down the bottom...

Dr. Keith · 16th May 2011, 03:34 PM

Are you sure it isn't a moussey smell?

I once used mousse to brush my teeth and you don't get that out of your toothbrush with a simple rinse . . .

Tracy Dalziel · 16th May 2011, 06:20 PM

I couldn't really describe a mouse odour as anything else, perhaps like a pet shop smell. I tend to find moulds have a more earthy, not necessarily unpleasant smell. I would just buy new brushes, maybe of a different brand, and treat them hygienically, replacing often.

Visual Purple · 16th May 2011, 07:12 PM

Old rubber? I usually think of that as smelling skunky, not mousey, but I can imagine some overlap.

Deetee · 17th May 2011, 01:07 AM

Originally Posted by Tracy Dalziel

I would just buy new brushes, maybe of a different brand, and treat them hygienically, replacing often.

Buy a new one? Why would I do that?
It's worked just fine since I was a kid.

Capsid · 17th May 2011, 02:05 AM

I thought the word musty derives from the latin for mouse (Mus). Mouse urine contains many pheromones.

From wikipedia

Quote:

Among the ten, five compounds are specific to males, namely 3-cyclohexene-1-methanol, Aminotriazole (3-amino-s-triazole), 4-ethyl phenol, 3-ethyl-2,7-dimethyl octane and 1-iodoundecane

Freethinker · 17th May 2011, 04:08 AM

I would suggest that you consider speaking with a medical professional. It could be that the odor is caused by a medical condition of which you are unaware. Liver and kidney failure can cause breath odors that might transfer to a toothbrush.

Mojo · 17th May 2011, 04:10 AM

Originally Posted by Dr. Keith

Are you sure it isn't a moussey smell?

I once used mousse to brush my teeth and you don't get that out of your toothbrush with a simple rinse . . .

The antlers get stuck in the bristles.

Yuri Nalyssus · 17th May 2011, 02:37 PM

Originally Posted by Freethinker

I would suggest that you consider speaking with a medical professional. It could be that the odor is caused by a medical condition of which you are unaware. Liver and kidney failure can cause breath odors that might transfer to a toothbrush.

So, if a mouse had kidney failure it would never know..?

Yuri

bobdroege7 · 18th May 2011, 01:23 PM

Is it the handle end that smells.

Cause it might have to do with storage conditions.

We have one of those decorative toothbrush holders and if the holder is not put in the dishwasher every couple of months or so, the handles of the toothbrushes can smell kinda rank.

Marduk · 18th May 2011, 05:17 PM

Maybe change your brand of toothpaste
this stuffs no good for you

Kumar · 19th May 2011, 01:03 AM

Check Sodium Bicarbonate.

hgc · 19th May 2011, 01:10 AM

A toothbrush costs what, $2? Get a new one!

Deetee · 19th May 2011, 09:19 AM

It's the rubbery part at the handle end of the toothbrush that smells.
The storage could be a problem - holders do get a bit fetid unless you regularly clean them.

But I was more interested in what the origin was in chemical terms. Clearly there is a specific compound or group of compounds which generates the characteristic smell of mouse, and I wondered what it was.
Capsid gave some info which I hadn't been able to find earlier, namely the wiki entry of

Quote:

The urine of house mice, especially that of males, has a characteristic strong odor. At least ten different compounds such as alkanes, alcohols, etc. are detectable in the urine. Among the ten, five compounds are specific to males, namely 3-cyclohexene-1-methanol, Aminotriazole (3-amino-s-triazole), 4-ethyl phenol, 3-ethyl-2,7-dimethyl octane and 1-iodoundecane.[16]

I see aminotriazole is used as a herbicide, and has carcinogenic potential (but not in mice I presume...?)

Hunting down some of these compounds tells me that yeast Brettanomyces bruxellensis, [Ha! - that is why it is called "micees!"] and its close relative, Dekkera bruxulensis, which have a role in wine making, produce a number of phenolics which can smell of "mouse cage aroma".

Wines are described as "Bretty" when they have a musty odour. I have certainly tasted some like that before.

The problem is solved.
I must stop soaking my brush (and me) in Chablis.

Soapy Sam · 19th May 2011, 01:30 PM

What sort of pervert knows what mice smell like?
Surely this violates the MA in some way?

Yuri Nalyssus · 19th May 2011, 02:46 PM

Originally Posted by Deetee

Capsid gave some info which I hadn't been able to find earlier, namely the wiki entry of
"The urine of house mice, especially that of males, has a characteristic strong odor. At least ten different compounds such as alkanes, alcohols, etc. are detectable in the urine. Among the ten, five compounds are specific to males, namely 3-cyclohexene-1-methanol, Aminotriazole (3-amino-s-triazole), 4-ethyl phenol, 3-ethyl-2,7-dimethyl octane and 1-iodoundecane."

Isn't that the recipe for Sunny-D?

Yuri

TraneWreck · 19th May 2011, 02:55 PM

Semen.

Kumar · 20th May 2011, 02:55 AM

Originally Posted by Deetee

But I was more interested in what the origin was in chemical terms. Clearly there is a specific compound or group of compounds which generates the characteristic smell of mouse, and I wondered what it was.

Many time, when I kept a pinch of Sodium Bicarbonate or taken a pill of it(can't say about its soultion), I always felt smell of mouse from it. Sometimes it create nusea to me. Hope this may help.

Mojo · 20th May 2011, 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by Deetee

Hunting down some of these compounds tells me that yeast Brettanomyces bruxellensis, [Ha! - that is why it is called "micees!"] and its close relative, Dekkera bruxulensis, which have a role in wine making, produce a number of phenolics which can smell of "mouse cage aroma".

Wines are described as "Bretty" when they have a musty odour. I have certainly tasted some like that before.

In beers the Brettanomyces flavour is usually referred to as "horse blanket", and is a desired flavour in some styles.

Psi Baba · 20th May 2011, 10:04 AM

Whatever you do, don't look at the pictures that are still in your camera.

shandyjan · 20th May 2011, 04:21 PM

Originally Posted by Deetee

Buy a new one? Why would I do that?
It's worked just fine since I was a kid.

I suppose you have a yearly bath, whether you need one or not?

16th May 2011, 07:09 AM	#1
Deetee Illuminator Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 3,790	What chemical gives a "mousey odour" and why does my toothbrush smell of it? I have noticed a distinct "mousey" odour when brushing my teeth in recent weeks. It's not my mouth (my first horrific thought) but it actually emanates from the rubbery part of my toothbrush. On checking other family members' similar toothbrushes, there is a similar odour. A dishwasher did not completely eliminate it. There must be some type of chemical reaction going on between the rubber/plastic bit and something else, but what? I have tried to look for a chemical formula or composition for "mouse odour" on the net, but my googlefu has failed. I'm interested and would like to know if this is unique, or if others notice the same thing, and of course I want to know why, like every good scientist. Advice/observations much appreciated.
Deetee Illuminator Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 3,790	__________________ "Reci bobu bob a popu pop." - Tanja "Everything is physics. This does not mean that physics is everything." - Cuddles "The entire practice of homeopathy can be substituted with the advice to "take two aspirins and call me in the morning." - Linda "Homeopathy: I never knew there was so little in it." - BSM

16th May 2011, 07:23 AM	#2
Mojo Mostly harmless Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Nor Flanden Posts: 22,488	Application of Occam's razor suggests that it could be that you have mice messing with your toothbrushes.
	__________________ "You got to use your brain." - McKinley Morganfield "The poor mystic homeopaths feel like petted house-cats thrown at high flood on the breaking ice." - Leon Trotsky

16th May 2011, 07:24 AM	#3
Monketey Ghost Body of Work Join Date: May 2003 Location: I'm on your screen! Posts: 14,814	What do mice smell like? And don't say 'mice' or 'chicken'.
	__________________ _{The membership of this forum is henceforth to refer to me as potato-headed Bobby} _{SSKCAS, member in long standing}

16th May 2011, 08:03 AM	#4
SonOfLaertes Muse Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: The Area 51 Motel 6 Room 12 Bed 2 Pillow1 Posts: 790	Originally Posted by Monketey Ghost What do mice smell like? And don't say 'mice' or 'chicken'. I asked my cat, and he said that they smell delicious.
	__________________ Best concise summary of Intelligent Design's never-changing key argument: “ the improbability of assembly of functional sequence all at once from scratch by brute chance” (Nick Matske, Panda's Thumb).

16th May 2011, 08:06 AM	#5
AvalonXQ Guest Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 11,853	Probably ghosts. Possibly mouse ghosts, but I'm skeptical.
AvalonXQ Guest Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 11,853

16th May 2011, 08:10 AM	#6
Furcifer miscreant Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: hohm Posts: 13,379	Originally Posted by Deetee I have noticed a distinct "mousey" odour when brushing my teeth in recent weeks. It's not my mouth (my first horrific thought) but it actually emanates from the rubbery part of my toothbrush. On checking other family members' similar toothbrushes, there is a similar odour. A dishwasher did not completely eliminate it. There must be some type of chemical reaction going on between the rubber/plastic bit and something else, but what? I have tried to look for a chemical formula or composition for "mouse odour" on the net, but my googlefu has failed. I'm interested and would like to know if this is unique, or if others notice the same thing, and of course I want to know why, like every good scientist. Advice/observations much appreciated. I think of "mousey" as "moldy" or "musty", something like bad bread. Since the bathroom is the perfect place for it to grow it's not uncommon to find mildew and mold. Best guess is you have mold somewhere around the sink or under it, most likely in the overflow, that's releasing spores that get stuck to your wet tooth brush. Try overflowing the sink and cleaning it out with some bleach.
	Last edited by Furcifer; 16th May 2011 at 08:12 AM.

16th May 2011, 08:35 AM	#7
Deetee Illuminator Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 3,790	Originally Posted by Mojo Application of Occam's razor suggests that it could be that you have mice messing with your toothbrushes. My Gillette fusion^TM does smell a bit musty ..... I'll have to go next door to check out Mr Occam's.
Deetee Illuminator Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 3,790	__________________ "Reci bobu bob a popu pop." - Tanja "Everything is physics. This does not mean that physics is everything." - Cuddles "The entire practice of homeopathy can be substituted with the advice to "take two aspirins and call me in the morning." - Linda "Homeopathy: I never knew there was so little in it." - BSM Last edited by Deetee; 16th May 2011 at 08:36 AM.

16th May 2011, 08:38 AM	#8
William Parcher Show me the monkey! Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 8,533	Originally Posted by Deetee I have tried to look for a chemical formula or composition for "mouse odour" on the net, but my googlefu has failed. I'm interested and would like to know if this is unique, or if others notice the same thing, and of course I want to know why, like every good scientist. Advice/observations much appreciated. I presume that you are saying mouse odor because that's what it smells like to you, and not like "moldy" or "musty" which you probably also have smelled. (House) mouse odor is unique and specific. I think it mostly derives from pheromones and is predominantly a male mouse odor. There actually is a lot of research on mouse pheromones and amines. FWIW, rat odor is distinctly different than mouse odor. It's easy (for me at least) to determine the presence of either rats or mice with just a few sniffs.
	__________________ Bigfoot believers and Bigfoot skeptics are both plumb crazy. Each spends more than one minute per year thinking about Bigfoot.

16th May 2011, 08:51 AM	#9
Deetee Illuminator Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 3,790	Originally Posted by William Parcher I presume that you are saying mouse odor because that's what it smells like to you, and not like "moldy" or "musty" which you probably also have smelled. (House) mouse odor is unique and specific. I think it mostly derives from pheromones and is predominantly a male mouse odor. There actually is a lot of research on mouse pheromones and amines. FWIW, rat odor is distinctly different than mouse odor. It's easy (for me at least) to determine the presence of either rats or mice with just a few sniffs. I say mouse because whenever we have a rare mouse infestation, I can smell it, and it is very distinctive - as you can since you can tell the difference between rodents. It must be a unique chemical, but what? Can some of you guys go smell your toothbrushes, and tell me what you find?
Deetee Illuminator Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 3,790	__________________ "Reci bobu bob a popu pop." - Tanja "Everything is physics. This does not mean that physics is everything." - Cuddles "The entire practice of homeopathy can be substituted with the advice to "take two aspirins and call me in the morning." - Linda "Homeopathy: I never knew there was so little in it." - BSM Last edited by Deetee; 16th May 2011 at 08:52 AM.

16th May 2011, 08:54 AM	#10
Professor Yaffle Butterbeans and Breadcrumbs Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Emily's shop Posts: 15,449	My toothbrush just smells minty.
	__________________ I think you'll find it's a little bit more complicated than that. My blog "Well I think I've made it abundantly clear in this thread I have no idea what I'm talking about..." - truethat

16th May 2011, 08:56 AM	#11
leon_heller Graduate Poster Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: St. Leonards-on-Sea, E. Sussex, UK. Posts: 1,094	My Oral B PRO EXPERT CROSSACTION toothbrush just smells of mint, from the toothpaste.
	__________________ Leon Heller G1HSM Last edited by leon_heller; 16th May 2011 at 08:58 AM.

16th May 2011, 08:57 AM	#12
Deetee Illuminator Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 3,790	You guys/gals aren't rinsing them properly, are you? Does anyone want to buy mine?
Deetee Illuminator Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 3,790	__________________ "Reci bobu bob a popu pop." - Tanja "Everything is physics. This does not mean that physics is everything." - Cuddles "The entire practice of homeopathy can be substituted with the advice to "take two aspirins and call me in the morning." - Linda "Homeopathy: I never knew there was so little in it." - BSM

16th May 2011, 09:01 AM	#13
Furcifer miscreant Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: hohm Posts: 13,379	Originally Posted by Professor Yaffle My toothbrush just smells minty. Mine too, and strongly. If it's that mouse smell, and not "mousy", I've wondered that as well. I think it's ammonia and rotting mouse guts, it always seems to get worse after laying down poison.

16th May 2011, 09:43 AM	#14
ria_rokz Muse Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 534	At first, I thought my toothbrush smelled like defecation but my husband had just been in there. When I stepped into the hallway to smell them they smelled like mint. What is your water like? I ask because ours was being treated extra heavily due to spring runoff. Perhaps there are other chemicals/minerals in yours?
	__________________ ~ Ria ~ <insert original, funny, and thought-provoking quote here>

16th May 2011, 02:31 PM	#15
Lucian Master Poster Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 2,572	This is probably a silly question, but would it be prohibitively expensive to buy new toothbrushes that don't smell like mouse?
Lucian Master Poster Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 2,572	__________________ skepticalhumanities.com virtualskeptics.com

16th May 2011, 02:54 PM	#17
AdMan Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 7,343	Originally Posted by Emet You have dentally hygienic mice in your house:
AdMan Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 7,343	__________________ It is far better to grasp the universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring. - Carl Sagan

16th May 2011, 03:12 PM	#18
Skeptic Ginger formerly skeptigirl Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Shifting through paradigms Posts: 40,799	Originally Posted by Mojo Application of Occam's razor suggests that it could be that you have mice messing with your toothbrushes.
	__________________ (*Tired of continuing to hear the "Democrat Party" repeatedly I've decided to adopt the name, ~~Pubbie Party, Repubs~~ "Republics" and Republic Party in response.)

16th May 2011, 03:16 PM	#19
Skeptic Ginger formerly skeptigirl Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Shifting through paradigms Posts: 40,799	Originally Posted by Deetee I have noticed a distinct "mousey" odour when brushing my teeth in recent weeks. It's not my mouth (my first horrific thought) but it actually emanates from the rubbery part of my toothbrush. On checking other family members' similar toothbrushes, there is a similar odour. A dishwasher did not completely eliminate it. There must be some type of chemical reaction going on between the rubber/plastic bit and something else, but what? I have tried to look for a chemical formula or composition for "mouse odour" on the net, but my googlefu has failed. I'm interested and would like to know if this is unique, or if others notice the same thing, and of course I want to know why, like every good scientist. Advice/observations much appreciated. Have you considered soaking the brush in a 10% bleach solution? Odors often come from bacteria or fungal activity. The dishwasher might not be getting at the problem if a biofilm is involved.
	__________________ (*Tired of continuing to hear the "Democrat Party" repeatedly I've decided to adopt the name, ~~Pubbie Party, Repubs~~ "Republics" and Republic Party in response.)

16th May 2011, 03:30 PM	#20
Kid Eager Illuminator Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Australia Posts: 3,567	check your toothpaste for mouse infestation. Make sure you squeeze out the entire tube, because they could be hiding right down the bottom...
	__________________ What do Narwhals, Magnets and Apollo 13 have in common? Think about it....

16th May 2011, 03:34 PM	#21
Dr. Keith Not a doctor. Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 3,448	Are you sure it isn't a moussey smell? I once used mousse to brush my teeth and you don't get that out of your toothbrush with a simple rinse . . .
	__________________ shift key currently inoperative. sorry for the inconvenience. -+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+- Jonah Baldwin: Talk to her, dad. She's a doctor. Sam Baldwin: Of what? Her first name could be Doctor. - Sleepless in Seattle

16th May 2011, 06:20 PM	#22
Tracy Dalziel Thinker Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 155	I couldn't really describe a mouse odour as anything else, perhaps like a pet shop smell. I tend to find moulds have a more earthy, not necessarily unpleasant smell. I would just buy new brushes, maybe of a different brand, and treat them hygienically, replacing often.
Tracy Dalziel Thinker Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 155

16th May 2011, 07:12 PM	#23
Visual Purple Thinker Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 148	Old rubber? I usually think of that as smelling skunky, not mousey, but I can imagine some overlap.
Visual Purple Thinker Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 148

17th May 2011, 01:07 AM	#24
Deetee Illuminator Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 3,790	Originally Posted by Tracy Dalziel I would just buy new brushes, maybe of a different brand, and treat them hygienically, replacing often. Buy a new one? Why would I do that? It's worked just fine since I was a kid.
Deetee Illuminator Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 3,790	__________________ "Reci bobu bob a popu pop." - Tanja "Everything is physics. This does not mean that physics is everything." - Cuddles "The entire practice of homeopathy can be substituted with the advice to "take two aspirins and call me in the morning." - Linda "Homeopathy: I never knew there was so little in it." - BSM

17th May 2011, 02:05 AM	#25
Capsid Graduate Poster Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,507	I thought the word musty derives from the latin for mouse (Mus). Mouse urine contains many pheromones. From wikipedia Quote: Among the ten, five compounds are specific to males, namely 3-cyclohexene-1-methanol, Aminotriazole (3-amino-s-triazole), 4-ethyl phenol, 3-ethyl-2,7-dimethyl octane and 1-iodoundecane
Capsid Graduate Poster Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,507

17th May 2011, 04:08 AM	#26
Freethinker Graduate Poster Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: The Uncanny Valley Posts: 1,358	I would suggest that you consider speaking with a medical professional. It could be that the odor is caused by a medical condition of which you are unaware. Liver and kidney failure can cause breath odors that might transfer to a toothbrush.
	__________________ "Did it indeed seem probable, as he had once overheard Dunbar ask, that the answers to the riddles of creation would be supplied by people too ignorant to understand the mechanics of rainfall? Had Almighty God, in all His infinite wisdom, really been afraid that men six thousand years ago would succeed in building a tower to heaven?" Thoughts of the Chaplain in Heller's Catch-22

17th May 2011, 04:10 AM	#27
Mojo Mostly harmless Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Nor Flanden Posts: 22,488	Originally Posted by Dr. Keith Are you sure it isn't a moussey smell? I once used mousse to brush my teeth and you don't get that out of your toothbrush with a simple rinse . . . The antlers get stuck in the bristles.
	__________________ "You got to use your brain." - McKinley Morganfield "The poor mystic homeopaths feel like petted house-cats thrown at high flood on the breaking ice." - Leon Trotsky

17th May 2011, 02:37 PM	#28
Yuri Nalyssus Graduate Poster Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: The Ancient Isle of Avignuon Posts: 1,083	Originally Posted by Freethinker I would suggest that you consider speaking with a medical professional. It could be that the odor is caused by a medical condition of which you are unaware. Liver and kidney failure can cause breath odors that might transfer to a toothbrush. So, if a mouse had kidney failure it would never know..? Yuri
	__________________ "The test of democracy is freedom of criticism." -David Ben-Gurion Peasant: Now we see the violence inherent in the system. King: Shut up! Peasant: Come and see the violence inherent in the system, help, help! I’m being repressed! King: Bloody peasant! Peasant: Ooh, what a giveaway, did you hear that... that’s what I’m on about, d’you see him repressing me? You saw it didn’t you... - Monty Python and The Holy Grail

18th May 2011, 01:23 PM	#29
bobdroege7 Graduate Poster Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 1,041	Is it the handle end that smells. Cause it might have to do with storage conditions. We have one of those decorative toothbrush holders and if the holder is not put in the dishwasher every couple of months or so, the handles of the toothbrushes can smell kinda rank.
	__________________ Un-american Jack-booted thug Graduate of a liberal arts college!

18th May 2011, 05:17 PM	#30
Marduk Banned Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Newbury, Berkshire Posts: 10,242	Maybe change your brand of toothpaste this stuffs no good for you

19th May 2011, 01:03 AM	#31
Kumar Philosopher Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 8,567	Check Sodium Bicarbonate.
Kumar Philosopher Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 8,567	__________________ Noble/Logical non-technical views only, no commitments.Live & Let Live. Keep the eyes open till anything is existing in mass but yet unclear. Can Chemical Medicines+Potentised Remedies be the solution for many unclear disorder to cover both Matter & Energy.

19th May 2011, 01:10 AM	#32
hgc Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 13,135	A toothbrush costs what, $2? Get a new one!
	__________________ Bowel-shaking earthquakes of doubt and remorse assail him and wail him with monster truck force. - Cake, The Distance Was there a second singer on the grassy Knowles? - Stephen Colbert

19th May 2011, 09:19 AM	#33
Deetee Illuminator Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 3,790	It's the rubbery part at the handle end of the toothbrush that smells. The storage could be a problem - holders do get a bit fetid unless you regularly clean them. But I was more interested in what the origin was in chemical terms. Clearly there is a specific compound or group of compounds which generates the characteristic smell of mouse, and I wondered what it was. Capsid gave some info which I hadn't been able to find earlier, namely the wiki entry of Quote: The urine of house mice, especially that of males, has a characteristic strong odor. At least ten different compounds such as alkanes, alcohols, etc. are detectable in the urine. Among the ten, five compounds are specific to males, namely 3-cyclohexene-1-methanol, Aminotriazole (3-amino-s-triazole), 4-ethyl phenol, 3-ethyl-2,7-dimethyl octane and 1-iodoundecane.[16] I see aminotriazole is used as a herbicide, and has carcinogenic potential (but not in mice I presume...?) Hunting down some of these compounds tells me that yeast Brettanomyces bruxellensis, [Ha! - that is why it is called "micees!"] and its close relative, Dekkera bruxulensis, which have a role in wine making, produce a number of phenolics which can smell of "mouse cage aroma". Wines are described as "Bretty" when they have a musty odour. I have certainly tasted some like that before. The problem is solved. I must stop soaking my brush (and me) in Chablis.
Deetee Illuminator Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 3,790	__________________ "Reci bobu bob a popu pop." - Tanja "Everything is physics. This does not mean that physics is everything." - Cuddles "The entire practice of homeopathy can be substituted with the advice to "take two aspirins and call me in the morning." - Linda "Homeopathy: I never knew there was so little in it." - BSM

19th May 2011, 01:30 PM	#34
Soapy Sam NLH Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 25,917	What sort of pervert knows what mice smell like? Surely this violates the MA in some way?
Soapy Sam NLH Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 25,917

19th May 2011, 02:46 PM	#35
Yuri Nalyssus Graduate Poster Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: The Ancient Isle of Avignuon Posts: 1,083	Originally Posted by Deetee Capsid gave some info which I hadn't been able to find earlier, namely the wiki entry of "The urine of house mice, especially that of males, has a characteristic strong odor. At least ten different compounds such as alkanes, alcohols, etc. are detectable in the urine. Among the ten, five compounds are specific to males, namely 3-cyclohexene-1-methanol, Aminotriazole (3-amino-s-triazole), 4-ethyl phenol, 3-ethyl-2,7-dimethyl octane and 1-iodoundecane." Isn't that the recipe for Sunny-D? Yuri
	__________________ "The test of democracy is freedom of criticism." -David Ben-Gurion Peasant: Now we see the violence inherent in the system. King: Shut up! Peasant: Come and see the violence inherent in the system, help, help! I’m being repressed! King: Bloody peasant! Peasant: Ooh, what a giveaway, did you hear that... that’s what I’m on about, d’you see him repressing me? You saw it didn’t you... - Monty Python and The Holy Grail

19th May 2011, 02:55 PM	#36
TraneWreck Philosopher Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chicago Posts: 6,414	Semen.