Some people let clothes sit in the hamper for weeks before they clean them. Some germs may survive for that long.Viruses and fungi may die within days. But E. coli and salmonella, which can cause diarrhea, may survive a few weeks. Staphylococcus aureus, which causes staph infections on skin, may survive a month. If clothes are moist — think sweaty gym clothes — germs may breed in the hamper.