Close Laundry Detergent Right After Use, Expert Says

[sudsmaster]

Close Laundry Detergent Right After Use, Expert Says

SATURDAY, April 21 (HealthDay News) -- A new survey finds that most Americans remember to seal laundry detergent containers immediately after use, an important part of safe laundry practices.

Only 12 percent of people sometimes, rarely or never seal laundry detergent containers after each use, according to the American Cleaning Institute poll.

Laundry detergents contain chemicals that can be poisonous if accidentally ingested by a child or pet, experts say.

"After adding the detergent to your machine, always remember to close the detergent container," Nancy Bock, American Cleaning Institute senior vice president of education, said in an institute news release. "Now is the perfect time to evaluate your laundry routine and incorporate just a few practices to create a safer living environment for yourself and your family."

Bock offered the following laundry safety tips:

Keep laundry products out of the reach of children and pets.

Keep products in their original containers. Close the container and put the detergent in a secure place immediately after each use.

Read and follow all instructions on the product label before use. If you have questions, call the manufacturer using the toll-free number on the label or go to the manufacturer's website.

Clean up any spills and immediately wash your hands or any items used to dispense or measure products.

Keep the Poison Control Center phone number (1-800-222-1222) in a handy place.

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[sudsmaster]

This brings up an interesting point. Many powders come in cardboard boxes that are difficult if not impossible to re-seal after they have been opened. At best a flimsy flap can be lowered over the opening, which obviously would not be enough to keep a toddler's prying hands out of it.

I guess that's where child proofing a home comes in, with cabinet locks that kids under a certain age can't figure out. I use a number of these locks as well in my home, to keep stuff from falling out of upper cabinets in case of an earthquake.

 

[tomturbomatic]

I don't have children or pets. When I was a kid, detergents did not smell like flowers or fruit and enough kids had had their mouths washed out with soap that detergents had no culinary attraction. This woman sounds like her mother was scared by something while pregnant with her like a friend's mother who said that the tape label below the lid switch of her late 50s KM had to stay there as a safety measure. I wonder if the kids who ingest detergent make suds in the toilet when it gives them a grand case of the runs.

We had kittens who drank bubble soap we left in the dishes when we had to take our naps. They were kinda floppy & poopy for a day or two but recovered from the internal cleaning just fine and probably learned nothing from the experience, but we were more careful with bubble soap after that.

 

[northwesty]

I do remember when I was a kid a child up the street got into the laundry detergent. It was real serious and though the child lived I never saw him again. Something about it burning him, but I can't really remember.

 

[jmurray01]

That's something I'm never vigilant with, there are many times I leave the flap open and don't give it a second thought.

Maybe I will in future... Or maybe not...

 

[peterh770]

A couple weeks ago at the laundromat, had a year old kid pop an ALL gelpack into his mouth, chew and swallow... After a call to 911 and much upping of the throw, he was fine... I think it more likely what might have been the cause was the quarter pound of barely chewed hot dog that was projected all over the floor and parking lot...

 

[mfduffy]

I keep my Tide HE powder in one of these. They have handles and seal nice and tight.

6 Qt Clear Square Food Storage Container (1195207)

6 Qt Clear Square Food Storage Container (1195207)Enhance your foodservice efficiency with the 6 Qt Clear Square Food Storage Container (1195207), - ShopAtDean

www.shopatdean.com

 

[tomturbomatic]

That's a neat container. Thanks.

 

[paulg]

Bleach water

I have a co-worker whose relative left a basin full of bleach water unattended and the kids accidentally let their goldfish swim in it while cleaning the aquarium.
The goldfish survived but ended up a lighter shade of gold.
... and I AM NOT making this story up!

 

[kqkenmore]

I keep my powder detergent in a modular mate from Tupperware it keeps it fresher longer that is the big box I keep a small glass jar next to the washer with a cup in it for use.