• If available, read the manufacturer’s directions for operating your particular machine. The directions often provide tips and detailed descriptions on how to achieve the best results.
User manual
• Load only a few items into the washing machine. The washer provides the best agitation and dilution when it is loaded to no more than 50 to 75 percent of its clothing capacity.
• Use the maximum amount of detergent the machine’s manufacturer recommends.
• Detergents and supplemental wash tips:
– Use high-quality detergents and avoid products termed “gentle detergents” that are designed for fragile fabrics or baby clothing.
– Liquid or dry detergents provide similar wash efficiency when used with sufficient water volume, duration, agitation and temperature.
– Bleach or ammonia has not been demonstrated to help remove pesticides consistently.
Bleach, ammonia, fabric softener and stain treatment products do not improve wash efficiency.
– Pre-treating garments with stain-removal products does not improve wash efficiency significantly.
– Fabric softeners do not help remove pesticide residues.
– Pouches or pods containing detergents have not been evaluated for their ability to remove pesticides from fabrics.
• Use the highest water setting available, regardless of load size, to maximize dilution.
• Use hot water. High temperatures disperse detergents and pesticides more efficiently than warm water, and especially more than cold water.
• Use a pre-rinse/soak before initiating the wash cycle. Research shows this aids in removing pesticide residues.
• Use an aggressive wash cycle that lasts at least 20 minutes. You may need to reset the wash cycle manually to achieve this with older and/or basic machines.
• Use a high-speed spin. If this feature is not available, reset the machine manually to increase the spin time to further remove moisture and contaminants from the clothing.
• Run one additional empty cycle without clothing, using detergent and hot water, before using the washer for household laundry.
• If practical, dry clothes outside on a clothesline. Otherwise, dry clothes in a dryer or hang inside.