How to Wash Pesticide-Soiled Clothing

Skin can absorb chemicals from inadequately cleaned clothing and equipment. Safe removal of pesticide demands special care in handling and washing of contaminated clothes:

Handle soiled clothing with unlined, nitrile gloves
Remove pesticide granules from cuffs and pockets outdoors
Discard any garment saturated with chemical concentrate
To discard disposables, place in a plastic bag and take to an approved landfill site
Wash the clothing daily
Wash separately from regular laundry
Pre-treat with a stain removal product or pre-rinse on pre-soak cycle of washer if an emusifiable formulation is used
Avoid overcrowding washer
Use hot water setting
Use full water level and normal cycle
Use extra heavy duty detergent
Repeat wash
After use, clean washer (run empty washer through full cycle with hot water and detergent)

Drying tip:
Line dry to prevent contamination of dryer. Line drying also increases the chemical breakdown of pesticide residues.

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For more information about the content of this document, contact Kenda Lubeck.
This information published to the web on June 3, 2003.
Last Reviewed/Revised on May 27, 2010.