I've been dealing with a nasty case of poison oak after hiking barefoot and now I need help! Specifically, I'm looking for tips on effectively removing the oils from both surfaces and my clothing. I've tried cleaning with Dawn dish soap and rubbing alcohol, but I'm still at a loss. I mixed all my laundry before realizing the problem, and I'm hoping to find the most effective way to clean everything without having to resort to dry cleaning. Any advice on spots to clean and effective methods would be greatly appreciated!
4 Answers
For your skin, Dawn dish soap works wonders, and for your clothes, just use your regular laundry detergent. Just a heads-up though: try to wash them separately to avoid spreading any leftover oils. This way, the soap can really get in there and work its magic!
I feel your pain—I'm super allergic to poison ivy! Wishing you the best of luck with getting rid of those oils.
Have you tried using Fels-Naptha laundry soap? It's fantastic for tackling oils like those from poison oak, so it should help with poison ivy as well. I use it on my hands after being around the plants and it really does the trick!
Absolutely! I swear by that bar soap for any exposed skin after contact. It’s a solid option!
Honestly, I've had my clothes washed after being exposed to poison ivy and I've never reacted. I've even run quick cycles for gloves used during cleanup. Adding some rinses or presoaks might help too, just to be thorough. Good luck!
That’s a great tip! I've had similar experiences and washing alone has always worked for me. Just make sure to tackle those clothes by themselves to really get rid of anything nasty.