Home / Chemical, Nuclear and Bio
ENTRY C-06How to clean yourself off after radiation exposure
Take off your outer layer of clothes carefully and seal them in a bag. The CDC says this alone can remove up to 90% of radioactive material. Then shower with soap and shampoo, without conditioner, and put on clean clothes.
Step by step
- Take off your outer layer of clothes, gently, so dust does not shake loose. Do it before you go inside if you can (CDC).
- Bag them. Put them in a plastic bag or sealable container, and put it somewhere out of the way, away from people and pets.
- Shower with warm water and plenty of soap. Wash your hair with shampoo or soap.
- No conditioner. The CDC says it makes radioactive material stick to your hair.
- Be gentle. Do not scald, scrub or scratch your skin. Keep cuts and scrapes covered while you wash.
- Put on clean clothes. Clothes that were in a closet or drawer are safe to wear.
From the CDC's decontamination guide and self-decontamination page.
If you cannot shower
- Wash your hands, face and any skin that was uncovered at a sink or faucet, with soap and plenty of water (CDC).
- If you have no clean clothes, take off your outer layer, shake or brush it off outside, and put it back on.
- FEMA's Ready.gov says do not use household cleaning wipes on your skin, and hand sanitizer does not protect against radioactive material.
Helping children and others
Wear waterproof gloves and a dust mask if you can (CDC). Follow the same steps for them. Seal any towels or cloths you used in a plastic bag with the clothes.
Pets
- Wash your pet carefully with shampoo or soap and water, and rinse completely (CDC).
- Keep your cuts and theirs covered while you do it, and wash your own hands and face afterwards (CDC).
- Wipe off anything from outside that your pet will need, like bowls and leashes.
Common mistakes
- Pulling clothes off roughly so the dust shakes loose.
- Using hair conditioner.
- Scrubbing hard or using very hot water.
- Relying on hand sanitizer or household wipes. Ready.gov says neither works for this.
- Leaving the bag of clothes in the room where everyone is sheltering.
Gear for this
Links go to Amazon search results so you can compare current prices and reviews. We may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Large sealable plastic bags
The CDC says to seal clothing in a plastic bag or container.
Waterproof gloves and dust masks
The CDC suggests both when helping others or pets.
Spare set of clothes in a sealed bag
Stored in your kit, so you have clean clothes ready.
Questions people ask
How much radiation does removing clothes get rid of?
The CDC says taking off your outer layer of clothing can remove up to 90% of radioactive material.
Why no conditioner after radiation exposure?
The CDC says conditioner makes radioactive material stick to your hair.
Does hand sanitizer remove radioactive material?
No. Ready.gov says hand sanitizer does not protect against radioactive material.
Sources
- CDC: Decontamination for Yourself and Others
- CDC: How to Self-Decontaminate after a Radiation Emergency
- CDC: How to Decontaminate Pets After a Radiation Emergency
- CDC: What to Do: Get Inside
- Ready.gov (FEMA): Radiation Emergencies
Related entries
- C-01What to do if a nuclear bomb goes offGet inside, stay inside, stay tuned. The official steps that save the most lives.
- C-04Dirty bomb: what it is and what to doIt is not a nuclear bomb. The blast is the main danger. Get inside, stay inside, stay tuned.
- C-02Radiation emergency: where to shelter in your home and for how longBasement or middle of the house, windows shut, air off, at least 24 hours.
General safety information only, not medical or professional advice. Rules can change, so check the linked sources and follow your local officials. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.