Article: Even a small amount of urushiol from poison ivy leaves or stems can cause a reaction depending on how sensitive you are to it. In some people, the rash can be quite severe, so it's best to err on the side of caution and cover yourself up completely with a long-sleeved shirt, pants, socks, closed-toed shoes, and rubber gloves. You can also cover your hands and arms with bread bags as an extra precaution if you plan to pull the plants up by hand. For extra security, use duct tape to close any gaps between your sleeves and gloves or your pants and socks. After you finish handling the poison ivy plants, carefully remove your clothing and place it directly into a washing machine alone. Don't place these items in a hamper or wash them with your normal laundry. Wash the items 3 times on the hot water setting and with laundry detergent. If possible, wash your shoes as well. If you can't wash your shoes, be sure to cover them while you're working near the poison ivy so the toxins don't transfer to them. If you cannot wash the items right away, place them into a garbage bag and mark the bag clearly to indicate what's in it. Then, wash the items separately from your other laundry when you're able. It's crucial to wash the items thoroughly because urushiol from the poison ivy can still cause a rash even years later. After you finish cutting and digging up the poison ivy, spray them with a hose outside to clean them. Place them on the ground away from people to do this, such as on a patch of concrete or grass. Then, dip them in rubbing alcohol or a mixture of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water to disinfect them and remove any remaining urushiol. Let the tools air dry outside before putting them away. Make sure to wear rubber gloves when handling the garden tools. Urushiol from the tools can get onto your hands and cause a reaction.
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Wear long sleeves, pants, boots, and heavy-duty rubber gloves. Wash any clothing that comes into contact with poison ivy. Clean and disinfect any gardening tools you used on the poison ivy.