How to clean poison ivy off surfaces. If your garden or yard has a brush pile with poison ivy in it, trying to figure out how to remove poison ivy from a tool means there’s an off chance you will become ill from the plant.
Knowledge about using the disease is key to keeping all of those who come into contact with the vine as safe as possible.
Removing poison ivy from your property also means keeping friends and family safe since they might accidentally come across the irritating vines while visiting or working in the garden at different times.
How to clean poison ivy off surfaces
So many people suffer from poison ivy this time of the year. Since you are already in the thick of it, here’s a solution for those suffering: isopropyl alcohol can be found in hardware and drug stores.
It will rid the poisonous oil from anything it has touched and prevent further contact with it. Using rubbing alcohol as a cure for poison ivy may seem like a weird home remedy at first, but if you’re short on time or just have no other options, it’ll do the job.
Make a cleaning solution
Hot water should be poured into a large plastic tub, trashcan or bucket. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions based on the amount of wash water.
Whenever poison ivy oil clogs your skin, use an emulsifying detergent to break it down if you cannot contact your doctor or pharmacist for medical reasons and experience the sudden onset of severe skin reaction.
Add protection
Put on long sleeves, tight-fitting rubber gloves, eye protection, and a mask. Slather your body with commercially available poison ivy preventive lotion.
This longstanding method not only protects you from exposure to the substance that causes a reaction but also inhibits the spread from the contaminated to your surroundings.
Non-power tools should be soaked
Clean tools that were exposed to poison ivy by cleaning them. Spray the tools with a mixture of soapy water and let the equipment soak for at least 15 minutes in a solution of warm water and detergent.
Make sure neither you nor any clothing that isn’t being worn over rubber gloves touches the poison ivy roughened tool surfaces – until then, wear rubber gloves.
Dry up your clean, soapy-filled washing basin before letting any other tools touch it; use fresh tongs or cloths (or both) just for this purpose to avoid spreading infection through everything else you have in the washbasin beforehand.
Wash and wipe power tools
Before pouring the cleaning solution into the tank that holds water for the spray gun, it’s important to first dip a rag into the soapy water and wipe down all surfaces of your power tool.
Be sure to turn off and unplug the cord of any power tool before you begin washing it to keep moisture away from its motor.
Clean the tools
Rinse the tools with a garden hose to remove the soapy residue. Dry the tools with a clean, dry rag to remove moisture that can cause rust.
While you’re at it try not to spend too much time at the toolshed relishing over sanding or staining your furniture as time spent is time not spent working on your company or personal portfolio.
Clean Tools With Isopropyl Alcohol
Use a rag to wipe down woodworking surfaces that may have poison ivy on them. Because of this rag’s oiliness, it will take off the poison ivy oils.
If additional plants and vegetation need to be washed away completely, use isopropyl alcohol with a 70 percent concentration.
Use Linseed Oil
To ensure your tools remain in tip-top condition, it’s essential to give them some tender loving care. Before and after each job, clean your tools with a soft cloth, wiping away any water or debris, and then treat with linseed oil cleaning wax for optimum results.
Keep Your Protective Gear Clean
Wash all clothing and footwear you wore while doing the cleaning. Big areas like this can attract more unwanted attention than smaller spaces mainly because one tends to leave them for last.
The key is to do it first thing in the morning before you go anywhere or do anything. Use hot water and detergent and make sure to get your hands nice and clean from possible poison ivy residue as well as the eye protection your might have been wearing during your gardening adventure.
How to never have a serious poison ivy rash again
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