After laundering pesticide-contaminated clothing, should you use the dryer?

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Contaminated pesticide residues can cling to fabric and be spread by heat and airflow. A dryer blows hot air and tumbles clothes, which can aerosolize residues and push them into the room or onto the skin and surfaces, increasing exposure. The heat may also help some residues set into the fabric, making them harder to remove.

So the safer approach is to avoid the dryer and air-dry the clothing in a well-ventilated area (or outside, away from people and pets). This reduces the chance of dispersing residues through the home. The other options aren’t appropriate because heat and the dryer’s airflow don’t neutralize residues, and “color safe” doesn’t affect contamination.