Wearing a mask during the global coronavirus pandemic is key to slowing the spread and protecting other people around you. It's science. In fact, Bill Nye, arguably the king of science, also took to TikTok to say that wearing a mask was "a matter of life and death." As if we need further confirmation that wearing a mask is the most important Part is to stop the spread of COVID-19, Bill Nye's plea is pretty compelling.
However, cleaning your mask properly is almost as important as wearing a mask . Without properly cleaning your mask, you run the risk of becoming more susceptible to germs. But how do you clean the mask?
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Why is it important to clean face masks?
Washing the mask is part of wearing a mask, according to a new campaign. And that is certainly some truth. After all, cleaning your mask is just as important as disinfecting your hands and disinfecting your countertops. But why?
"Washing the mask prevents the virus from living in the tissue and infecting you or others through residual contact," says Sean Marchese, RN and Editor of Oncology at the Mesothelioma Center. "If you leave a used mask on the counter or use it a second time without washing, the virus can spread to other objects and eventually reach the eyes, nose or mouth."
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In addition to coronavirus problems, washing your mask can also prevent makeup stains from building up on your mask. (This is not hygienic or healthy either!) In case you need a mask cleanse for another reason besides stopping the spread of a deadly virus , washing your mask regularly can also prevent it from popping your face.
"Face masks are often touched and are supposed to prevent germs from getting into the nose and mouth," says Dr. Mehmet Oz from Dr. Oz Show at Parade. "As a result, they can become contaminated with viruses and bacteria that can make you sick. Regular cleansing masks can help you stay in shape. In addition, cleansing masks reduce the buildup of food, cosmetics, or dirt that can build up on the mask, which can lead to skin problems such as acne . ""
"Face masks are often touched and are designed to prevent germs from getting into the nose and mouth," adds Dr. Oz added. "As a result, they can become contaminated with viruses and bacteria that can make you sick. Regular cleansing masks can help you stay in shape. ""
Ultimately, washing your mask is as much your responsibility as it is wearing it. After all, your mask is as safe as it is clean.
Related: These states require face covers to prevent the spread of coronavirus
How to clean face masks at home.
Most reusable face masks can be added to clothing as you add clothing regularly. You can also wash the masks with other items. it is not necessary to separate them.
"You can wash a cloth mask with normal clothes in the washing machine. Ideally, the wash cycle should be gentle as some cords or earrings may not be as safe with homemade masks, "says Marchese. "Also use hot water to kill any bacterial debris if you don't want to use a tumble dryer."
However, if you have a mask or a particularly delicate fabric mask, you can also hand wash it. But remember: sheet masks are not as good at preventing the virus as medical face masks.
"Today there are hundreds of thousands of hand-made cloth masks. Cloth face masks are not as effective as medical masks, but they do offer some protection, " Intuitive Health's ambulance doctor and medical director Jay Woody told Parade . , FACEP . "A little protection is better than no protection. However, these sheet masks should be machine washed and dried well, ideally after each use. For those who have disposable masks, they must properly dispose of their masks. Cross-contamination is very likely if people leave their mask in their basket, in the parking lot, or in their car. ""
How to hand wash your delicate mask
Requires:
- Hot water
- Laundry detergent (for sensitive skin this is best considering face masks)
- A container or bowl
- Iron (optional)
Manual:
- Rinse the masks under warm running water.
- Add a few drops of detergent by scrubbing for 20 seconds.
- Then fill a container or bowl with hot water. Soak the mask in the bowl of hot water for 5 minutes.
- Thoroughly rinse all of the soap and detergent off the mask.
- Place or hang the masks outside to dry in the sun.
- Finally, iron both sides of your cotton mask with a hot iron. This step is optional, but as stated in TikTok below, it provides additional security.
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How to hand wash your mask without using detergent
For some, cleaning a mask with laundry detergent can irritate the skin and lead to an acne breakout. If you have sensitive skin, you can hand wash your delicate mask using a milder soap.
Requires:
- Hot water
- Castile soap
- A container or bowl
- Iron (optional)
Manual:
- Rinse the masks under warm running water.
- Add a few drops of Castilian soap and rub for 20 seconds.
- Then fill a container or bowl with hot water. Let the mask soak in the bowl of hot water for 10 minutes.
- Thoroughly rinse all of the Castilian soap off the mask until the water runs clear.
- Place or hang the masks outside to dry in the sun.
@farahpinkk IDK you must see this but please wash your TUHHDAY masks! #fyp #wearamask #style #tiktokfashion #cleanwithme
How to wash your non-toxic face mask
If you want to wash your mask using a non-toxic method, the Castilian soap technique is the best option. However, there is also a non-toxic disinfectant called Krud Kutter that can be used to get the job done effectively (and safely). It is also better to remove makeup stains.
Requires:
Manual:
- Rinse the masks under warm running water.
- Spray the mask (s) with Krud Kutter until the mask is soaked.
- Mix 1 teaspoon of laundry soap (or castile soap) with borax in warm water and leave the mask on for 10 minutes.
- Rinse all of the soap off the mask well, squeeze and flatten it.
- Let them dry in the sun at home or outside.
- After drying, disinfect with an alcohol-based disinfectant spray.
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How to wash your jammed mask
If you have a jammed mask, it is not machine washable. Instead, you'll have to hand wash it.
"For jammed nasal masks that can't be machine washed, you can use bleach with 5.25% to 8.25% sodium hypochlorite to wash your hands," explains Marchese. . "Some bleaches work well on colored fabrics, but you should never mix bleach with ammonia or other household cleaners as they can create toxic fumes. Soak the mask for at least 5 minutes, then rinse well with water and allow to dry before using it again. ""
How to clean the N95 face mask
It is important to note that N95 masks are not designed to be worn for extended periods of time. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "The recommendations [for prolonged wear and tear and limited reuse practices of NIOSH-certified N95 filter masks] are intended for professionals who implement respiratory protection programs in healthcare facilities to protect healthcare workers from the risks of a occupational exposure to infectious respiratory diseases. "
If you have an N95 face mask, or if you are a healthcare professional or a front line worker with an N95 face mask, you won't want to use your N95 face mask more than a couple of times (usually five times). After a few uses, the N95 mask should be discarded.
"According to the FDA, a surgical mask shouldn't be used more than once," says Dr. Oz. "If the mask gets dirty, wet, or damaged it should be removed and replaced with a new one."
Nevertheless, it is possible to thoroughly disinfect N95 masks between uses. If you do choose to do so, be careful not to touch the front or the inside of the face shield.
"If you're not infected, the greatest risk of contamination is in the front of the mask," says Woody. "People have to follow the CDC protocol to remove masks. Masks should be removed from the back, not the front. Unfortunately I see people who happen to remove their masks. Your unwashed hands touch the inside of the mask, then your hands touch your face. In this case, the mask becomes unnecessary. If the person has resisted the same mask and touched the inside of the mask, germs have direct access to their mucous membranes when the mask is reapplied. ""
According to WebMD, N95 masks can be disinfected between uses using one of four techniques: UV radiation (260-285 nm); 70 ° C dry heat; 70% ethanol spray ; and VHP (vaporized hydrogen peroxide sterilization).
The easiest way to disinfect N95 masks for the average person is with an ethanol spray or an alcohol-based disinfectant spray. According to WebMD, "however, researchers found that masks decontaminated with an ethanol spray did not work effectively after decontamination and did not recommend using this method."
The most effective way to safely use an N95 mask while reducing the risk of the coronavirus spreading is to discard the mask after a maximum of five uses.
How to clean the mask in the microwave.
Can you clean a mask in the microwave? A July 2020 study reported by WebMD found that microwave sterilization of N95 masks was effective in killing various germs and viruses, including the coronavirus.
"The materials include water, a glass container, a net, a rubber band and a 1,100 or 1,150 watt microwave. The researchers filled the container with 60 milliliters of water and fastened the mesh material on top with a rubber band. Then they put the N95 mask on the net and microwaved it for 3 minutes. It actually killed all viruses, including the coronavirus, it said, "says WebMD ." The researchers found that this sterilization method could be repeated 20 times on a single N95 mask without damage. Although the type of mask used was a piece of metal they had no heating or sparking issues during the 20 test cycles, Kirby said.
Can you clean the mask with alcohol?
A mask can be disinfected with an ethanol or alcohol-based disinfectant spray. However, you can also consider the above hand washing methods before disinfecting your mask with alcohol.
"If you use soap and water to clean a mask, it may not become completely disinfected. Disinfecting a mask uses high temperatures or a disinfectant such as bleach to kill bacteria on the fabric. You need to disinfect your mask regularly or around other people, "says Marchese.
For these reasons, you may want to use two methods: washing with soap and water, and disinfecting with an alcohol- based spray to make sure you wash the mask as thoroughly as possible. But be careful, USAToday warns that alcohol, bleach and Lysol should never be used to disinfect N95 masks as they can compromise the integrity of the mask grille.
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Can you clean the mask with Lysol?
Technically, you can disinfect your face mask with Lysol. However, it is best to only do this if your mask is a sheet mask and has already been properly cleaned with soap and warm water. As mentioned earlier, USAToday warns that alcohol, bleach and lysol should never be used to disinfect N95 masks as they can compromise the integrity of the mask mesh.
Can you clean the mask filters?
According to John Hopkins Medicine , the filters in the face mask should be removed before washing and disposal. Mask filters should be discarded, not washed and reused.
Can PhoneSoap clean face masks?
Disinfecting a mask with UV light is one of the most effective ways to clean a mask. According to WebMD, the process takes around 60 minutes and allows you to wear a face mask up to three times that will work properly with any UV decontamination after each use.
According to the FAQ page for PhoneSoap , a popular UV disinfectant used for cleaning phones and other technology, the device effectively cleans anything that fits in the PhoneSoap disinfectant. It says: "Although PhoneSoap was developed for phones and tablets, you can disinfect almost anything with it. If you can install it indoors, PhoneSoap will disinfect it. ""
In theory, PhoneSoap UV Sanitizer should properly clean and disinfect your reusable face mask.
How often should i clean my face masks?
Experts agree that we should wash our masks after each use. This reduces the potential risk of spreading the virus to other surfaces and objects, as well as our own risk of spreading the virus to us and others around the house after an outing.
"The CDC says masks need to be washed regularly, so try to wash them at the end of the day after each use," adds Dr. Oz added. "A good strategy is to have more than one so you don't wash your clothes every day. Make a habit of washing your mask as often as you wash your face and brush your teeth. ""
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