How to Clean Up Chemo Spills at Home

If you are receiving chemotherapy treatments at home by a home health nurse or a trained family member, there are times when accidents occur such as splashes on skin and chemo spills. If you have a chemo spill, this is the correct way to clean it up.

Things You'll Need

• These items should be provided to you by the home care infusion facility:
• Chemo Gloves
• Chemo Gowns
• Shoe Covers
• Goggles
• Absorbent sheets with plastic backing
• Bleach
• Soap cleanser
• Plastic bio-hazard bags

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Instructions

• 1

  Put on two pairs of chemo gloves along with your chemo gown and goggles. Check to ensure that the gown is covering you completely, and all closures are snapped or tied. You should also be wearing long pants under your gown, socks and closed toe shoes with shoe covers to prevent stains.

• 2

  Take the absorbent sheet and lay it on top of the chemo spill. Be sure to lay it on the white/cotton side to soak up the spill. After a minute look to be sure all of the spill has been absorbed onto the sheet. Next, carefully take the sheet up holding it as far away from you and your face as possible and fold it twice with the plastic side showing on the outside; place it in a bio-hazard bag.

• 3

  Fill a medium sized bucket with a household cleanser such as bleach, ammonia, or if you don't have these items you may also use soap detergent and water to clean up the spill area with rags or a sponge. You will need to repeat the cleaning process 3 times to be sure to remove all traces of the chemo. Rinse with clean water after each cleaning. When finished remove gloves, gown, goggles, shoe covers and place with the used cleaning supplies into the bio-hazard bag. Wash your hands thoroughly with an antibacterial soap for 15 seconds.