Susan,
You have my profound sympathy. I too am going through the same problem, and am tearing my hair out. But, I think instead of shooting myself, I am just going to have to throw away some cherished possessions, such as sheets and quilts. Unfortunately, while I've managed to get the poison oak oil out of most clothes, seemingly, IT WON'T COME OUT OF MY SHEETS! I don't get it. I've washed them in hot water with everything I could think of: Tide, bleach, ammonia, vinegar, even this 'enzyme' stuff recommended at a health food store, but am having no success. One problem is that the oil can go through normal fabrics, and get on your mattress, which then reinfects your new sheets. To solve that, you can either take your bottle of rubbing alcohol & vinegar (I put half & half in a spray bottle, and it works great) and spot clean the mattress, or get a vinyl sheet and cover the mattress with it. Right now my mattress is covered with plastic. I recommend you cover everything with plastic because the oil could be hanging out on your upholstery. Then you can slowly try spot cleaning when you get the energy. (I am EXHAUSTED too.) The only way I've survived this is by developing a very keen sensitivity with my fingers so now I can just touch a fabric and know if there's any residue on it. Why this is happening I do not know because I've had poison oak many times before and this never happened; it always came out in the wash. Is it our immune systems or is the oil more virulent? Ultimately, you may have to throw some things out. I'm still not giving up on my down comforter, but I'm buying some new stuff because I'm not taking any more chances at spending sleepless nights. Anyway try these things and realize it's really happening in spite of everyone who tells you it's physically impossible for the oil to not come out in the wash. I'm here to tell you it IS possible. Hang in there! |
