Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum
BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => EQUIPMENT USAGE, EXPERIMENTATION, HIVE PLANS, CONSTRUCTION TIPS AND TOOLS => Topic started by: SouthAussieBeekeeper on September 24, 2018, 09:12:08 pm
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I know that a beesuit needs to be washed after using it, especially gloves as stingers left on clothes leaves traces of attack pheromones, which will alarm bees on a future day if wearing the same suit.
What needs to be done to properly wash a suit and gloves though? Does it need to be thrown into the washing machine with soap, or can simply putting the suit and gloves on the clothes line and squirt it down with a hose, suffice?
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If you are going to wash it then do it by itself in the washing machine. I recommend laundry detergent. You don't want to gum up the machine.
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We put our suits in the washing machine with detergent. First I make sure to zip it up and connect all of the Velcro. When done we hand it up to dry.
Jim
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I wash mine about once a year whether it needs it or not... hang it on the clothesline and hose it off...
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Sun drying is good if you want to bleach the turd spots but the suit won't last as long.
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Sounds like you all need to get a better class of bee, with all the stings and turds on you bee suits. Ok just couldn't resist.
I do wash mine once a year also, laundry detergent and a touch of bleach, and hang up to drip dry. I usually don't get stung over a couple of times. If I get stung much it time to see why or change Queens.
Joe D.
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I've been told not to wash the suits in my washer because the propolis will get stuck to the inside of the washer drum and it's impossible to get it out. What wash cycle do you use and what temps do you wash the suits at?
Any tips on washing the big hats with veils? And, how do you clean the leather gloves? Thanks!
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Beecky,
If you are trying to remove propolis whether it is from your washer or clothes, just use alcohol. I use it to clean propolis by dissolving it and then running the alcohol propolis mixture through a paper filter.
Then I allow the alcohol to evaporate leaving the propolis.
Jim Altmiller
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Thank you sawdstmakr!! :grin:
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Beecky,
If you are trying to remove propolis whether it is from your washer or clothes, just use alcohol. I use it to clean propolis by dissolving it and then running the alcohol propolis mixture through a paper filter.
Then I allow the alcohol to evaporate leaving the propolis.
Jim Altmiller
Jim do you collect propolis? I know that there are people doing it but I don't know how it is done. Maybe I should start a new topic?
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Any tips on washing the big hats with veils?
I have an all in one veil and hat that?s all fabric and I soak it in oxyclean and then just dry it on the clothesline. It keeps it nice and white.
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"I soak it in oxyclean and then just dry it on the clothesline. It keeps it nice and white."
What concentration of oxyclean and what temp of water? Thanks!!
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"I soak it in oxyclean and then just dry it on the clothesline. It keeps it nice and white."
What concentration of oxyclean and what temp of water? Thanks!!
I just use a bucket and cold water from the hose and follow the soaking directions on the package for "Tough Laundry Stains". I soak it for however long the package says, rinse it off with the hose, and hang it up to dry. Easy peasy. :happy:
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Add 1 cup (~200ml) of washing soda powder to your favorite laundry detergent. Use washing soda, not to be confused with baking soda. Washing soda has a higher PH. That helps dissolve the propolis and run it down the drain.
Washing soda is also great for cleaning tools, fill a deep tray with hot water, add a bit of dishwashing soap and then add washing soda until no more will dissolve, and then soak your tools, excluders, whatever in it. After a while wipe and rinse clean. Sometimes thick propolis on items like excluders will need a resoak. Warning: This will take paint off of items such as hive tools.
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THANK YOU JConnolly!! :grin: