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Crop and Pest Management Guidelines

A Cornell Cooperative Extension Publication
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Tips for Laundering Pesticide-Contaminated Clothing

Pre-Laundering Information

Remove contaminated clothing before entering enclosed tractor cabs.

Remove contaminated clothing outdoors or in an entry. If a granular pesticide was used, shake clothing outdoors. Empty pockets and cuffs.

Save clothing worn while handling pesticides for that use only. Keep separate from other clothing before, during, and after laundering.

Wash contaminated clothing after each use. When applying pesticides daily, wash clothing daily.

Clean gloves, aprons, boots, rigid hats, respirators, and eyewear by scrubbing with detergent and warm water. Rinse thoroughly and hang in a clean area to dry.

Take these precautions when handling contaminated clothing:

  • Ventilate area.
  • Avoid inhaling steam from washer or dryer.
  • Wash hands thoroughly.
  • Consider wearing chemical-resistant gloves.
  • Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Air

Hang garments outdoors to air.

Pre-rinse

Use one of three methods:

1. Hose off garments outdoors.

2. Rinse in separate tub or pail.

3. Rinse in automatic washer at full water level.

Pretreat (heavily soiled garments)

Use heavy-duty liquid detergent.

Washer Load

Wash garments separate from family wash.

Wash garments contaminated with the same pesticide together.

Never use the "sudsaver" feature on your machine when laundering pesticide-soiled clothes.


Load Size

Wash only a few garments at once.

Water Level

Use full water level.

Water Temperature

Use hot water, as hot as possible.

Wash Cycle

Use regular wash cycle, at least 12-minutes.

Laundry Detergent

Use a heavy-duty detergent.

Use amount recommended on package or more for heavy soil or hard water.

Remember to use high-efficiency (HE) detergents in HE and front-loading washers.

Rinse

Use a full warm rinse.

Rewash

Rewash contaminated garments two or three times before reuse for more complete pesticide removal.

Dry

Line drying is preferable to avoid contaminating dryer.

Clean Washer

Run complete, but empty, cycle.

Use hot water and detergent.

Prepared by Charlotte Coffman, College of Human Ecology, Department of Fiber Science and Apparel Design, Cornell University

PESTICIDE EMERGENCY NUMBERS

Emergency responder information on pesticide spills and accidents...

CHEMTREC - 800-424-9300

For pesticide information...

National Pesticide Information Center - 800-858-7378

To Report Oil and Hazardous Material Spills in New York State...

NYS Spill Hotline - 800-457-7362

Poison Control Centers

Poison Control Centers nationwide - 800-222-1222

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This publication is issued to further Cooperative Extension work mandated by acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914. It was produced with the cooperation of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cornell Cooperative Extension, New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, New York State College of Human Ecology, and New York State College of Veterinary Medicine, at Cornell University. Cornell Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities. Jenny Kao-Kniffin, Interim Director.

Alternative formats of this publication are available on request to persons with disabilities who cannot use the printed format. For information call or write the Office of the Director, Cornell Cooperative Extension, 365 Roberts Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853 (607-255-2237).

This information is presented with the understanding that no product discrimination is intended and no endorsement of any product mentioned or criticism of unnamed products is implied.

Published by:

Cornell Cooperative Extension Pesticide Safety Education Program (CCE-PSEP)

New York State Integrated Pest Management Program

CALS Surge Facility

525 Tower Road

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York 14853-7401

607.255.1866

Michael Helms, Managing Editor (mjh14@cornell.edu)

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