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DEQ.utah.gov -Utah Department of Environmental Quality

The Official Web site of the Utah Department of Environmental Quality

Chemical Cleanout Toolkit
for Utah Schools

Custodial

How to Handle Contaminated Clothing and Rags

http://www.purdue.edu/dp/envirosoft/housewaste/src/rags.htm (opens in a new window)
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

Procedures for Light to Moderate Pesticide-Contaminated or Solvent-Covered Clothing

  1. Rinse clothing in a washing machine pre-soak.
  2. 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.
  3. Use hot water (140 F) to launder, a full water level setting, and the normal wash cycle of a washing machine.
  4. Clothing contaminated with pesticides should be washed two or three times.
  5. Line-dry the clothing to avoid contaminating the dryer. Placing clothing contaminated with flammables in the dryer may cause a fire.
  6. 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.

  1. Place the articles in an airtight, metal container and properly label the container with contents and date.
  2. 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

  1. 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.

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