What is a recommended practice to follow after washing contaminated PPE?

The recommended practice after washing contaminated personal protective equipment (PPE) is to run the washer through at least one additional entire cycle without clothing. This step is essential because it helps to ensure that any residual contaminants or chemical agents that might have been left behind in the washer are adequately removed.

When PPE has been exposed to hazardous materials, simply washing it may not completely eliminate all traces of those substances from the washing machine. By running an additional cycle without any clothing, you are effectively rinsing and cleaning the washer itself, minimizing the risk of cross-contamination with future loads of laundry. This is especially important in a pest control context, where safety and thorough decontamination are critical to prevent any potential exposure to harmful chemicals or pathogens.

In contrast, while drying items in direct sunlight or soaking them in bleach may have some beneficial effects, these methods do not address the potential contamination of the washing machine, and running the washer empty helps ensure that the machine is safe for future use.