How long can poison ivy stay on your clothes after you wash them or can it ?

I was mowing a few weeks ago and got splattered by a poison ivy vine. I did not think any thing about it. I've been in contact with it before and never got a rash. So when I got done I just put my clothes in the washer like always and jumped in the shower. Well I put the shirt on that I was wearing that day on again a few days ago and shortly there after I got a rash on my chest. I know its poison ivy and I've not been near any poison ivy since that day I was mowing. So could it still be on that shirt because i did not soak it before washing it?

How long can poison ivy stay on your clothes after you wash them or can it ?
I would soak shirt with liquid that dilutes poison ivy sap ,research with what I'm not sure, I thought washing in good quality wash powder should have done it..♥
Reply:Poison ivy has an oily substance to it. You need to cut the oil with Dawn soap or similar.
Reply:it probably soak through your cloths and infected you. plus it can stay on your cloths for up to a year
Reply:Poison Ivy contains urushiol which is the oil substance that creates a reaction on your skin. Washing with normal detergent will remove the uroshiol.





Odds are it's spreading because the infected area still had urushiol on it and it was spread from scratching or other means. If it was on your hands before you knew you got it, then it may have gotten on your chest when you removed your shirt with your contaminated hands. Or it was on the outside of your shirt and when you removed your shirt the outside of it rubbed your chest. Skin that is typically covered with clothing most of the day is more sensitive to irritants which may be why your chest has a rash but your hands are fine.