Can germs survive in powder laundry detergents?

[lordkenmore]

Paranoid question, I suppose, but I'm wondering if germs can survive in powdered laundry detergent. I assume not (intellectually), but I have my germ paranoid moments...

I'm wondering because I came across an open box of Oxydol that appears to still be good. At least, it's not clumped. (It's not vintage--it's probably about 5 years old.) "Waste not, want not!" But it's been in an area where there was a real possibility of rodents being about. There is no sign the rodents went near the box--one assumes they'd likely be repelled if anything by the fake scent!--but, again, I get paranoid about germs. And I get paranoid about rodents, too...

 

[launderess]

Germs can survive on most anything

In what numbers and sort that will have the potential to cause illness is another matter.

If you see signs of rodent activity *inside* the box (droppings, hair, etc...) then would chuck the contents.

Use the stuff in hot to very water, and dry said laundry in hot dryer, that should be fine to take care of anything one might be afraid off. Oh and wash your hands after handling box/contents.

 

[frigilux]

I'm not surprised the box was open, Lord Kenmore. Can you imagine poor mama rat trying to keep up with the laundry for this active family? And nothing compares to the clean she gets with all new Bubonic Plague Oxydol, LOL.[this post was last edited: 9/4/2016-19:15]

 

[lordkenmore]

Thanks!

>Can you imagine poor mama rat trying to keep up with the laundry for this active family?

And yes, I can imagine Mama Rat is kept quite busy with the kids' laundry.

I can imagine the ad copy: "All 30 of my sons joined the football team, and now I have muddy uniforms to clean! But thanks to Oxydol, they come squeaky clean every time!"

 

[launderess]

Rats and mice cannot vomit

So don't think either would hang around a box of detergent very long. Consuming the stuff would make them ill, possibly very much so that they would die. The alkaline substances alone in powdered detergent (washing soda, phosphates, borax, sodium metasilicate, etc...) are quite nasty for any living thing to consume.

Soap OTOH is made from fats and oils which depending upon what else is blended may or may not make a rodent ill at once or ever.

 

[lordkenmore]

I also have wondered if the scent alone wouldn't repel rodents. Not that modern laundry detergents have strong scents or anything like that. Oh, no, of course not.