Poison ivy is a plant that grows in many parts of the United States, and warmer weather tends to be the time when most people encounter this treacherous plant. Roughly 85% of Americans are allergic to poison ivy, meaning that a simple brush by the plant in your yard, on a hike, when camping, or just when you happen to be near some wild growth, can lead to weeks of painful and itchy rashes.
What Are the Effects of Poison Ivy on Skin?
For those who are allergic to poison ivy, contact with the plant can cause a rash, blisters, redness, or general skin irritation. A poison ivy rash is caused by exposure to a specific oil that the poison ivy plant makes, called urushiol. This oil is very sticky; it attaches to your skin, hair, pet’s fur, and clothing. If you properly clean your body, you’ll begin the process of ridding yourself of the rash. However, don’t touch the clothing before it has been properly cleaned (or better yet, dry cleaned to ensure total removal of the urushiol). You may be interested in learning how to wash poison ivy clothes so that you don’t accidentally start the process all over again. Read ahead to find useful steps for washing clothes with poison ivy & more.
(Learn more about poison ivy and poison oak on the FDA website at https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/outsmarting-poison-ivy-and-other-poisonous-plants)
Simple Steps on How to Remove Poison Ivy from Clothing
Here are a few tips on how to properly clean clothing that has been exposed to poison ivy:
1. Contain Any Clothing Exposed to Poison Ivy
The first step is to put on gloves (vinyl or cotton) and contain any clothing or materials, including apparel, gardening gloves, baskets, containers, and tools, that have come into contact with the poison ivy. This is best done by placing all the garments in a plastic garbage bag immediately so that the fabric doesn’t have time to touch any of your other laundry or furniture. Should you use cotton gloves, they can be thrown into the wash with the affected items.
For your metal, plastic, or other non-fabric items like gardening tools or poison ivy shoes, washing them with very hot water and a good cleaning solution should be enough to get the oil off of them. But for your fabrics, you may find it a little bit harder to remove the oil without a dry cleaner, because the oily substance isn’t water-soluble.
2. Wash Exposed Clothing to Remove Poison Ivy
If you want to give washing your fabrics a go first, we here at Mulberrys have a few tips. First, be sure that you wash all exposed fabrics separately from any other clothing or fabric items. Be sure you continue to wear gloves and long sleeves when handling dirty items.
In order to remove oil as much as possible, you need three things: hot water, a lot of detergent, and a lot of time. You’ll need to put your washer on the hottest setting for the largest load setting, for the longest time setting. This sounds pretty wasteful, but it’s the most efficient way besides dry cleaning to remove poison ivy from clothing. Be sure you use a full scoop of detergent, and don’t fill the washing machine up. The poison ivy clothes need room to be agitated so that all of the oil is exposed.
When you transfer the clothing to a dryer, you need to wear gloves again. The oils from the poison ivy are located in the water in the washing machine. If you are concerned about your washing machine spreading the oil, you may want to carefully wash the machine, or allow it to run empty for one load, before resuming normal laundry.
3. Dry Exposed Clothing to Remove Poison Ivy
Once you’ve finished cleaning the poison ivy clothes, the next step is to dry them. We recommend hanging your garments on a clothesline or dry-rack outside. Your clothes should be free from any poison ivy but as a precaution, it’s best to avoid using your dryer machine to prevent the spread of contamination in the off chance any trace amounts of poison ivy remain. Dry your clothes away from the rest of your laundry and once you’ve worn them without difficulty, you can continue using your washing and drying machines like normal.
4. Consider Dry Cleaning as an Alternative
If you don’t want to take the risk of trying to wash clothing exposed to poison ivy yourself, consider taking your garments to a professional dry cleaner. The cleaning techniques available with a dry cleaners or laundry service is the best way to guarantee that your clothing is free of any poison ivy residue that may still be on your clothing items.Dry cleaning uses chemical cleaners that are not water-based, so they can easily strip poison ivy oils off of clothing without wasting water or causing you more work. However,please be sure to tell any dry cleaner that you hire if your clothing has been exposed to poison ivy so that they can take care to protect their employees. Mulberrys is an expert in removing poison ivy or other stains or unwanted materials from clothing, so be sure to contact our cleaning experts inMinneapolisorSan Francisco today!
How to Get Poison Ivy Off Shoes
Poison ivy shoes with toxic oils must be cleaned by hand instead of thrown into the washing machine. Whether the material is leather, wool, or suede, knowing how to get poison ivy off shoes will save you time and energy in the long run.
- Prepare the Shoe – When dealing with poison ivy shoes, always wear thick gloves. Should there be any fresh oil stains, blot the excess with a paper towel. If your shoes have laces or an insole insert, untie and remove them. Once finished, open up the shoe as much as possible by pulling the tongue of the shoe forward.
- Wipe the Shoes With a Cleaning Solution – Combine a mixture of two cups of hot water with two tablespoons of deep cleaning laundry detergent. Using a soft bristle brush, gently scrub the interior and exterior of the shoe, as well as the removable insole. Make sure not to dowse the shoe with too much solution.
- Rinse & Dry – Using clean water, rinse your shoes with a damp paper towel. Allow the shoes ample time to dry in a cool area away from direct sunlight.
If you have poison ivy shoes, it does not mean they need to be thrown away. By following our steps on how to get poison ivy off shoes, they can become like new once more. Should your shoes require other cleaning services, check out Mulberrys’ .
I'm an expert in botany, specifically knowledgeable about various poisonous plants, including poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans). I possess comprehensive understanding and expertise in the identification, effects, and proper handling of poison ivy due to its prevalence and adverse reactions in individuals.
Regarding the effects of poison ivy on the skin, the plant secretes an oil called urushiol, a potent allergen responsible for causing allergic reactions in around 85% of Americans upon contact. This oil adheres to the skin, hair, clothing, and even pets' fur, leading to rashes, blisters, redness, and severe skin irritation.
The article accurately highlights the key steps to effectively remove poison ivy oil from clothing and shoes:
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Containment of Exposed Clothing and Materials: Using gloves, separate and contain all clothing and items that came into contact with poison ivy to prevent further spread. For fabrics, immediate isolation in a plastic bag is crucial to avoid contaminating other laundry or surfaces.
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Washing Exposed Clothing: Washing contaminated fabrics separately is essential. Hot water, a generous amount of detergent, and a prolonged washing cycle help eliminate the oil. Agitation during washing is vital to ensure thorough removal of urushiol.
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Drying Exposed Clothing: After washing, drying clothes outdoors, away from other laundry, is recommended. Avoid using a shared dryer to prevent potential cross-contamination.
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Consider Dry Cleaning: Professional dry cleaning is a reliable alternative to ensure complete removal of poison ivy oil, especially for delicate or challenging fabrics. Dry cleaners use chemical solvents that effectively eliminate urushiol.
Regarding shoes exposed to poison ivy:
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Preparation: Wear gloves, remove excess oil with a paper towel, and open up the shoe as much as possible for cleaning.
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Cleaning Solution: A mixture of hot water and deep cleaning laundry detergent is applied with a soft brush to gently scrub the interior and exterior of the shoe.
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Rinse and Dry: Rinse the shoes with clean water, dry them in a cool area away from direct sunlight, and ensure proper drying to prevent any residual oil from causing further issues.
Throughout the article, the recommendation to consult professionals like Mulberrys for dry cleaning services emphasizes the importance of seeking expert assistance for thoroughly cleaning items exposed to poison ivy, ensuring safety and preventing the spread of allergens.
For further information, the FDA website cited in the article provides additional insights into handling poisonous plants like poison ivy and poison oak, offering comprehensive guidance to minimize exposure and mitigate adverse reactions.
In essence, the provided steps are well-researched and align with industry-recommended practices for effectively removing poison ivy oil from clothing and shoes, ensuring safety and minimizing the risk of allergic reactions caused by urushiol.
