The first step is to wash the affected area immediately after contact with poison oak, ivy, or sumac plants to remove the toxic oil, which bonds quickly to your skin.﻿﻿ Dawn dishwashing liquid soap is a powerful grease-cleaning product. It's used to clean oil-contaminated wildlife, and it will help get the nasty toxic oil off your skin.

You may want to carry some in a small plastic bottle in your car or backpack to use in case you are exposed to poison ivy or oak during a hike or other outdoor activities. Lather and rinse thoroughly with water. It's gentle on fur and feathers for wildlife, so it shouldn't be toxic for you.