How do I sanitize mementos that were stored in an old rotting cabin?

Question

Yesterday I went to where I grew up and there's an old cabin on the property that we used for storage. It was terribly under maintained over the last 30 years and eventually became a home for all sorts of critters. It's deep in the woods so we're not talking city rats, but more like forest mice and these squirrel sized creature we call pack rats but they have huge bushy grey tails. Anyway, I grabbed some pictures, old love letters and a few other similar items but am afraid to really go through them. The cabin is FULL of rodent droppings and I'm sure urine too. Is there some way too sanitize these items? Are they harmful to my health if left unsanitized? They are mostly paper items so I can't really wash them off or spray chemicals on them. Thanks for help!

Answer 1

If they've been in storage for 30 years they can't mean much to you. Throw them out.

Answer 2

I sort of had the same issues with old pics.  But mine were all wet.  I just tried to seperate all the papers, picture and let them dry the best I could.  They were kinda okay when I did this.  As far as the rat droppings.  I am not sure.  You could also go to a specialty photo place and get old things restored.  But it will cost quite a bit.  Sorry I can not help more.

Answer 3

You do have to be very careful cleaning up rodent messes due to the Hanta virus that they carry that is spread by contact with their f***s and urine.  

This link will tell you more about the virus as well as telling you how to clean various sorts of items that may have been exposed to Rodent droppings.  http://www.gnb.ca/0053/disprev/Hantaviru...