How to Wash Face Masks Correctly
August 6, 2020
Wondering how to wash face masks correctly? Face masks have become a common accessory for many people. And, rather than buying disposable masks and throwing them away every time you use them, many people are opting to purchase a reusable cloth mask instead. So, if you are going to wear a reusable mask, it’s important that you wash it to keep it clean.
The CDC recommends that you wash your cloth face covering after every use. This way, any germs that have contaminated the mask are killed before they can spread to you or to other people.
There are several different options for cleaning face masks. The important thing to remember is that you need to remove them correctly and wash your hands before and after touching them. To take a mask off, untie or remove the strings from behind your head or ears. Touch only the strings – not the mask itself. Fold the outside corners together. And, then place the mask in the laundry.
You have two different options when it comes to washing your mask. You can wash it in the washing machine with your other laundry. Just use regular laundry detergent and whatever temperature water you’re using for your other clothes. This will take care of cleaning your masks in between uses.
You can also wash your face mask by hand. This method is helpful if you don’t want to wait until you have a full load of laundry to wash your mask. You should wash in bleach (1/3 cup to one gallon of water). Color safe bleach is not suitable for disinfecting, so be sure that your cloth mask won’t be ruined with regular bleach.
To dry your mask, you can place it in the dryer on the highest heat setting that your regular clothes can tolerate. Or, you can hang it to dry if you prefer. If you choose to hang your mask to dry, try hanging it in direct sunlight for even more disinfecting power.
Because washing and drying your face mask may take a full day or two depending on how you wash it, it’s important to have more than one. You can find a nice selection of homemade masks on sites like Etsy. Stock up on several for each person in your family. And, it may be a good idea to have a box of disposable masks on hand just in case one isn’t dry yet when you need it.
