How to Wash a Mask or Cloth Face Coverings: Tips to Know

Why I need to clean my mask?

Out of an abundance of caution, the CDC now recommends wearing a face mask or covering any time you go to grocery stores, pharmacies, or other places where social distancing is hard to practice.

Since N95 respirators and surgical masks should be reserved for healthcare workers, many people have been putting their DIY skills to the test by creating their own cloth face masks right at home.

Your mask regularly comes into contact with natural oils from your skin and over time this can cause accelerated wear and tear on your mask, potentially compromising its seal and irritating your skin.

This is why we recommend cleaning your mask every day to make sure your equipment is working to its full potential.

 

How do I clean my face mask?

☛ Bandannas, face scarves and masks made of fabric, such as cotton, can be washed in your regular laundry using hot water.

☛ Disposable, blue surgical masks cannot be laundered or cleaned and should be thrown away when it is visibly soiled or damaged.

☛ You might consider using a non-scented laundry detergent if you are sensitive to perfumes so it is easier to wear the masks.

☛ You can also hand wash your mask, using hot, soapy water. Scrub the mask for at least 20 seconds, and dry them on high heat in the dryer.

☛ Store clean masks in a clean place when you are not using them.

The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab suggests that tightly woven, 100% cotton is the best fabric to use, which means you can turn a bandanna, or fabric from pillowcases, curtains, or woven shirts into a face mask or covering.

Be sure to avoid knit fabrics, like jersey T-shirts, because they create holes when stretched. To make the mask even more protective, use a non-woven interface, coffee filter, or HVAC filter (as long as they don't contain fiberglass) inside the mask to help block particles.

 

How to dry my face mask?

Dryer:

Use the highest heat setting and leave in the dryer until completely dry.

Air dry:

Lay flat and allow to completely dry. If possible, place the cloth face covering in direct sunlight.

 

How Often I Should Clean Face Masks?

In the absence of more specific CDC guidelines, Dr. Adalja says that cleaning your cloth face mask every night is a good rule of thumb.We cannot stress on that enough. The virus may stay active on fabric for a long period of time, which makes it necessary to wash your mask after any of your day trips.

If you suspect that someone you have been in close contact with is infected, you should put the mask in the wash immediately and use a fresh one. Apart from the virus, the masks also tend to collect any sweat, oil or makeup from skin, which may also affect your health.

 

STAY SAFE! WE ARE HERE WITH YOU!

For more info, please visit www.everlighten.com/products/custom-cloth-face-masks.