I don't know where you are, but around here this is a bad time of year for mice. They come in to stay warm and it can be hard to keep them out. Mice can get in through holes you wouldn't believe!
If you don't have kids or animals to worry about, put out lots of traps. When you get down there every day, the first thing you have to do is "run your trap line" and toss them all out. At least you won't have to smell them that way.
By the way, I don't know what your fabric is stored in but mice can chew through Rubbermaid totes without a problem.