What is true about washing contaminated PPE?

• A. Wash clothes with regular cycle and dry normally
• B. After washing, run the washer through at least one additional entire cycle without clothing
• C. Wash PPE with hot water only
• D. Dry PPE immediately after washing

Answer: (B)

Contaminated PPE can leave pesticide residues that spread to people, other clothing, and the washing machine itself. After washing the contaminated PPE, running the washer again through a full cycle with nothing in it helps flush out any remaining residues from the drum and hoses. This extra empty cycle helps prevent cross-contamination for future loads and keeps the washer itself decontaminated.

Washing contaminated PPE with a regular load spreads residues to other clothes and doesn’t address cleaning the machine. Washing with hot water alone may not remove all residues and isn’t enough for all materials. Drying immediately doesn’t tackle potential lingering contaminants in the washer or on PPE, so it isn’t the best practice.