Methodologies, formulations, and kits suitable for decontaminating environments containing bacterial spores by degrading the spores. Formulations contain papain, at least one germinant, and optionally one or more additional enzymes. Methods for killing a bacterial spore include contacting a bacterial spore with the formulation for a duration sufficient to kill the spore, or for a duration sufficient to render the spore susceptible to being killed by a reagent and then contacting the spore with the reagent for a duration sufficient to kill the spore.
