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How to Properly Clean your Face Mask

It seems like a post-apocalyptic style choice, or we may feel like we are entering a career as a medical professional. Whatever we feel like – for most of us, face masks have become part of life now, and for the foreseeable future.

Most of us are probably not wearing medical-grade masks. Most are probably wearing a cloth mask. So how can you keep your cloth face mask clean? What is the proper way to care for your mask?

We will discuss some ways that you can keep your face mask clean below.

How Often Should You Wash Your Mask?

That’s the first question – and an important one. According to OURA (a face mask manufacturer/distributor), we should be cleaning our masks after EVERY USE. That’s a lot. SO go to the store – wash your mask. Step outside to say hi to the mailman – wash your mask. Go through the drive-through with your mask on – wash your mask. Seems exhausting…

 Some experts say that if your mask has anti-microbial properties (i.e. a really nice mask) then washing it two to three times a week is sufficient. More than enough encouragement to go and buy an anti-microbial mask.

 

Washing Option #1: Washing Machine

So this option is easy – chuck your mask in the washing machine and off you go. It is good to have a few masks on hand so that you have one to wear while the other ones are being washed though. The advantage of using a washing machine is convenience. It is pretty easy to throw our mask in the laundry whenever we are doing a load. The disadvantage is that your mask won’t last as long. If you are using a homemade cloth mask, your mask will wear out a lot faster being machine washed. If you have a nicer mask that you bought, you may not be able to machine wash it at all.

If you bought a mask, be sure to read the instructions that came with it to see if it is machine washable.

Washing Option #2: Hand Washing

Hand washing your face mask is considered the better overall option by many experts. Primarily, it makes your face mask last longer. A gentle hand washing is effective at getting your mask clean and making it last. The disadvantage? It is super inconvenient. You have to wash it by hand, hang it, let it dry, and then it can be kind of stiff when you put it back on. It does make your mask last longer though.

What Type of Soap/Detergent To Use

Any approved soap or detergent will really work according to the experts. They say that soap breaks down the fatty capsule of the virus – thus neutralizing it. General laundry detergent works fine. In a pinch, I used hand soap one day – which I do not recommend, as my mask smelled like strong smelling hand soap afterward. Try to use something that is more natural and made to not give you a headache…

Last Points About Washing Your Face Mask

So to conclude, here are a couple of quick tips and reminders:

  1. Do not use overly hot water or your mask may shrink
  2. Be careful which detergent you use – and be extremely careful if you decide to use bleach (it may be best to avoid that)
  3. Only hand wash your mask if it has any kind of plastic component to it
  4. Air drying your mask is better, as the dryer can cause your mask to fall apart prematurely

 

If you are looking for some articles on Home Inspections, you might find How Many People Should Be on a Home Inspection? and Why Get a Pre-Listing Home Inspection? interesting.