Laundering Pesticide Contaminated Clothing

 

The spray season is soon approaching and with it the laundry with residues of 2,4-D, malathion, or other chemicals on them.  Here are a few tips for laundering these clothes.  For more information please call the office, refer to the chemical label, your restricted license training manual.

When Laundering Pesticide-Contaminated Clothing,

Remember...

· Be aware of when pesticides are being used so that clothing can be laundered appropriately.

· Read the pesticide label for information.

· Launder clothing daily when applying pesticide daily.

· Pre-rinse clothing by spraying/hosing the garment(s) outdoors, presoaking in a suitable container, or agitating in an automatic washing machine. Pretreat if work clothes have a soil repellent finish.

· Wash separately from family laundry. Discard clothing if thoroughly saturated with highly toxic pesticide.

· Washing machine settings: Hot water temperature (140 degrees F, Extra Large/Large load, Regular/Normal (12 minutes) wash and spin cycles, Double rinse.

· Wash a few contaminated garments at a time, using lots of hot water.

· Re-wash the contaminated clothing two or three times if necessary.

· Clean machine thoroughly after laundering contaminated clothing by running empty through complete cycle with hot water and detergent.

· Line dry to avoid contaminating the automatic dryer.

 

 

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