Deer, Howard M.

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DigitalCommons@USU

PesticidesFact SheetLAUNDERING PESTICIDECONTAMINATED CLOTHINGHoward M. Deer, Extension Pesticide Specialist Utah State University, Logan UT 84322-4620December 1999 AG/Pesticides/101. Consider using disposable clothing which eliminates the need for washing. Read thepesticide label to check for any special instructions. The pesticide formulation has thegreatest influence on how easily clothing will launder clean.2. Applicators should start with new or very clean coveralls each application season. Do notwear contaminated clothing. Launder after each use. For best results, clothing should bewashed soon after being worn. The longer the clothing is stored before washing, theharder it is to remove pesticides.3. Empty pesticide granules from cuffs and pockets. Do this outdoors. If the granules are left in the clothes, they will dissolve in the wash water and may not be completelyremoved from the clothing during the wash cycle.4. If concentrated liquids are spilled on clothing, discard the clothing. High levels of anundiluted emulsifiable concentrate remained in clothing even after ten washings.5. Contaminated clothing should be stored and washed separately from other familyclothing as residues can be transferred from contaminated clothing to other items. Theperson doing the laundry should know which clothing has been worn to apply pesticidesand should wear rubber gloves when handling highly contaminated clothing to preventabsorbing pesticide into their body through their hands. 6. Prerinse or presoak contaminated clothing and thoroughly wring or spin the water outbefore washing. Prerinsing is especially useful for removing wettable powderformulations. 7. Use the longest wash cycle with hot water and a full rinse cycle. Hot water is moreeffective in removing pesticides than warm. Cold water is not effective at all. Hot wateris defined as 140oF, warm 120oF, and cold 86oF or lower. Do not overload the washingmachine. Use the appropriate water level. Utah State University Extension and its employees are not responsible for the use, misuse or damagecaused by application or misapplication of the products or information in this publication, and make noendorsement explicitly or implicitly of this publication or information listed herein.Utah State University Extension is an affirmative action/equal employment opportunity employer andeducational organization. We offer our programs to persons regardless of race, color, national origin, sex,religion, age or disability.Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperationwith the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Robert L. Gilliland, Vice-President and Director, Cooperative ExtensionService, Utah State University, Logan, Utah. (EP/DF/02-2000)8. Use the recommended amount of detergent. Most people do not use enough detergent. Ifyou live in a hard water area or clothing is especially dirty, use more detergent. Liquiddetergents are more effective than powdered detergents for removing oil-basedpesticides. Neither bleach nor ammonia have been shown to contribute to pesticideremoval.9. Line drying in direct sunlight is recommended.PRECAUTIONARY STATEMENTAll pesticides have both benefits and risks. Benefits can be maximized and risksminimized by reading and following the labeling. Pay close attention to the directions for useand the precautionary statements. The information on pesticide labels contains both instructionsand limitations. Pesticide labels are legal documents and it is a violation of both federal and statelaws to use a pesticide inconsistent with its labeling. The pesticide applicator is legallyresponsible for proper use. Always read and follow the label.

Laundering Pesticide Contaminated Clothing

https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1070&amp;context=extension_histall

Laundering Pesticide Contaminated Clothing

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