How to Remove Poison Ivy From Clothing

Poison ivy, that potentially dangerous three-leafed vine or woody shrub, can eventually wreak havoc on your skin if makes contact with your clothes. Even though your clothing can initially protect your skin if the clear and sticky resin, also known as urushiol, comes into contact with it, you can suffer itchy skin and a rash if you handle the clothing later with bare hands or re-wear the contaminated garments. Fortunately, you can restore your clothing back to a safe state by implementing a common household task.

Things You'll Need

• Gloves
• Laundry soap
• Washing machine

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Put on gloves when removing your clothing to prevent the contaminated clothing from making direct contact with your skin.

   • 2

     Place the clothing in the washing machine -- or in a plastic bag until you're ready to place the clothes in the washing machine -- to protect others from contamination.

   • 3

     Launder the clothing on the settings recommended on the clothing care label. Add the recommended amount of laundry detergent for the load size you wash.

   • 4

     Dry the garment as you normally would and hang or store it until you want to wear it again.