How long does it take for germs to die?

Question

For example, you move into this house that has been vacant for over 2 months. Will any germs/fungi/viruses that were there be dead in this lenghth of time?

I mean, I am definitely scrubbing the place from top to bottom. I was just wondering if all of those things would be dead in that length of time!

Answer 1

Depends on the germ.

Certainly most of the bacteria etc that were there at the time
the house was last occupied aren't there any more. However,
their decendents may be.

And of course, during the intervening 2 months, others could
have been introduced.

However, don't get too carried away scrubbing. First off,
you won't get everything, so if you're trying to make the house
sterile, just stop. It won't happen.

Secondly, the closer you get to sterile, the more of a disservice
you are doing to any children you might have. Many studies
have now shown that a principal reason that more Americans
suffer from allergies is that they are not exposed to the
allergens as a kid, when they would develop a normal
histoimunalogical response. Instead, when they are exposed
as adults, their immune system overresponds, perhaps fatally.

Seriously: A child that licks the floor clean will probably have
a better immune system than one who's mother freaks
everytime she sees dust.

In any case, most of what's likely to be left after 2 months is
spores from various fungi. Only if there was significant
moisture with bioproducts are any bacteria likely to still be
with you.

Generally, lack of water will kill bacteria, and sun light will
destroy viri that aren't somehow packaged and protected.

Answer 2

Take it from the "Cleaning Experts" at Spray Nine Corporation, you need to thoroughly clean with a product that takes care of a variety of cleaning needs/surfaces, is a fungicidal mildewstat, and follow the directions to ensure that you are cleaning "smart." Cleaning "smart" means using the right product to clean/disinfect and deodorize. Spray Nine IS an industrial-strength cleaner/degreaser and EPA-registered disinfectant, and is available through your local ACE Hardware, True Value and a number of "chain" hardware stores. A number of places carry it online as well. If you clean "smart," using a product like Spray Nine, you will kill germs, virus' and fungi AND the benefit is that cleaners with EPA-registered disinfectant also deodorize and prevent cross contamination. You can contact us at www.spraynine.com for more info.

Answer 3

It would just depend on the type of germ and the conditions of the house. If you plan on cleaning it from top to bottom then I wouldn't worry.

Answer 4

use clorox clean-up where ever u can! kills germs quickly. even kills the aids virus!