I believe that the Poison Ivy active ingredient is an oil, so I would (usiing gloves) wash items with a detergent (Dawn?), rinse and dry well.

Probably a degreaser type cleaner is better to get rid of oils of any kind.
The amount of poisonous oil is not that much. It is our system that react to it. Some of us are more allergic than others.
cyrus

I always use rubbing alcohol. This even works when I accidentally touch it outside, as long as I rub the alcohol on within 10 minutes of touching it. I actually keep a huge bottle in my garden bag for that purpose. I know it works because I've grabbed handfulls and had it in my hand. I throw it in a bag and tie it shut. Then I poor the alcohol on really good. Works like a charm!

Well, I don't think I'll be pulling the stuff with my hands but having alcohol to clean the tools with immediately appeals to me. Thanks for the idea.

You're welcome! I never intentionally pick it up with my hands, but it somehow seems to hide from me until it's too late!

After a short period of time, the urushiol dries and chemically attaches itself to whatever it's on. Urushiol is similar to many varnishes, and is sometimes used as a varnish. Cleaning with detergent or degreaser may not remove much of the it, and, depending on your degree of allergicness, you may still experience problems. There are chemicals available at the drug store that more effectively remove this stuff.

sorry....please remove the extra "the" before the "it" in my third sentence.

Found the information in this link very informative, especially the step of applying isopropyl alcohol before washing with soap.

Rosie, Sugar Hill

Here is a link that might be useful: steps for removing urushiol

I keep a spray bottle of alcohol in my tool shed. Use it on the tools when I've been working with plants that have fungus, etc. on my hands, gloves, what ever I feel could spread a disease to other plants.
cora