The problem of how to launder pesticide contaminated clothing has puzzled many people as pesticide use increases. Use the pesticide label as a guide for knowing which chemicals are more toxic. Clothing contaminated with highly toxic and concentrated pesticides must be handled most carefully as these pesticides are easily absorbed through the skin. If the clothes have been saturated with concentrated pesticides, discard them. Clothing contaminated by moderately toxic pesticides do not warrant such drastic measures.
Hazards are less pronounced in handling clothing exposed to low toxicity pesticides.
Disposable clothing helps limit contamination of clothes because the disposable garments add an extra layer of protection. This is especially important when you are in direct contact with pesticides, such as when mixing and loading pesticides for application. Research has shown that pesticide residues can be transferred to other clothing when they are laundered together. Pre-rinsing contaminated clothing before washing will help remove pesticide particles from the fabric. Pre-rinsing is especially effective in dislodging the particles from clothing when a wettable powder pesticide formulation has been used.