
Source: Missouri Household Hazardous Waste Telephone Advice
Manual, April 1994, Household Hazardous Waste Project
Clothing contaminated with pesticides and solvents must be handled carefully
as these products can be absorbed through the skin.
Never wash contaminated clothing with other laundry because residues
can be transferred from contaminated clothing to other clothing when laundered
together. Clothing and rags contaminated with flammable solvents must also be
handled carefully. Never store
contaminated clothing or rags indoors because they can spontaneously start
on fire. Always read the directions on the product label regarding the handling
of pesticide-contaminated clothing and solvent-covered clothing and rags.
A word of caution:
This management option may cause
harm to human health and the environment if the described procedures are not
followed carefully.
Materials Needed
- protective gloves, such as nitrile gloves,
- chemical-resistant gloves, or those recommended on the product label
Procedures for Light to Moderate Pesticide-Contaminated
or Solvent-Covered Clothing
- Rinse clothing in a washing machine pre-soak.
- If several articles have been contaminated, wash only one or two articles
in a single load. Wash articles contaminated by the same pesticide or solvent
together.
- Use hot water (140 F) to launder, a full water level setting, and the
normal wash cycle of a washing machine.
- Clothing contaminated with pesticides should be washed two or three times.
- Line-dry the clothing to avoid contaminating the dryer. Placing clothing
contaminated with flammables in the dryer may cause a fire.
- Rinse machine thoroughly after washing contaminated clothing.
Procedures for Completely Saturated Contaminated Clothing
and Rags
Follow one of the following series of disposal steps. Check with local waste
management officials to see which set of steps is appropriate for your area.
- Place the articles in an airtight, metal container and properly label the
container with contents and date.
- Store the container outside the house, away from other structures and away
from sources of heat, spark, flame or ignition. It should be disposed of promptly.
OR
- Immediately after using, hang the clothes or rags outside, away from your
home, away from children and animals, and away from sources of heat, spark,
flame or ignition for a 24-hour period or until dry.
- Discard articles in the trash after they have dried. Leather articles, such
as shoes or gloves, that have been exposed to these substances should also be
discarded in the trash.