It’s possible to wash asbestos out of clothes, but you should leave this job to the professionals. Trying to decontaminate clothes at home can cause more contamination. Asbestos fibers can end up in the washing machine, on other clothes and even in the air.
When someone inhales or ingests airborne asbestos, the fibers can lodge in the linings surrounding different organs in the body. Over time, the irritation from these fibers may lead to the development of diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer.
Higher levels of exposure increase the risks of asbestos-related diseases. That said, no amount of asbestos exposure is safe. Professional cleaners have tools to minimize exposure risks.
How Long Does Asbestos Stay on Clothing?
Asbestos fibers may stay on clothing for decades. One study looked at the homes of asbestos factory workers. Samples were taken 20 to 25 years after the subjects stopped asbestos work. In some cases, asbestos fibers were still present. Researchers speculated that the presence of the mineral in the workers’ homes came from asbestos brought in on their clothes.
Washing Asbestos-Contaminated Clothes
Asbestos-contaminated clothes at home can put everyone in the vicinity at risk. Shaking the dust off them, folding them and even loading them into the washing machine can release asbestos fibers into the air. They may remain airborne for up to 80 hours (3+ days).
Once in the washing machine, clothes with asbestos dust may also contaminate other clothes in the same load of laundry. Anyone who wears these clothes after laundering may end up inhaling asbestos fibers.
Washing asbestos-contaminated clothing can also contaminate the washing machine itself. Some asbestos fibers may remain on the clothes, some may go out with the wastewater and some may remain in the machine. From that point, uncontaminated clothes that go through the washing machine may come out bearing asbestos fibers as well.
How to Remove Asbestos From Clothing
You should not attempt to wash asbestos-contaminated clothing yourself. Workers and their loved ones deserve to be safe from secondhand exposure. Consider one of these options instead:
- Follow employer protocol: Employers at asbestos companies are responsible for protecting workers from exposure. This includes providing respirators, decontamination areas and procedures. Employers are also responsible for washing contaminated clothing. Employees should never take home clothes they used in the presence of asbestos.
- Take the clothes to a specialty facility: If someone has asbestos-contaminated clothing at home, they should follow these best practices in handling them. Store the clothing in a sealed and labeled container. Before moving the clothes into a sealed container, it can help to wet them first. This reduces the possibility of airborne fibers. Then, take the clothes to an asbestos removal company or a specialty facility that can safely wash or dispose of them.
Keep in mind that asbestos fibers aren’t visible to the naked eye. If you suspect your clothes may be contaminated with asbestos, it’s best to assume they are. Keep yourself and your loved ones safe by leaving any cleaning or decontamination to the professionals.
